Elizabeth Taylor passes away at the age of 79

A close friend and a longtime partner in AIDS activism, Sir Elton John is mourning the death of the beloved Elizabeth Taylor.

"We have just lost a Hollywood giant," Elton said of Academy Award-winning actress, "More importantly, we have  lost an incredible human being."

Joan Rivers also offered her condolences through her Twitter account, writing, "Sad to hear of Elizabeth Taylor's death. She was the 1st major celebrity to join me in the fight against AIDS when it wasn't a popular cause."

Elizabeth had been hospitalized for more than a month with complications from congestive heart failure, and this morning she passed away at 79 years of age.

The legendary actress died at Cedars-Sinai Hospital. Her publicist told press, "She was surrounded by her children: Michael Wilding, Christopher Wilding, Liza Todd, and Maria Burton."

A statement by Michael Wilding read, "My Mother was an extraordinary woman who lived life to the fullest, with great passion, humor, and love. Though her loss is devastating to those of us who held her so close and so dear, we will always be inspired by her enduring contribution to our world. Her remarkable body of work in film, her ongoing success as a businesswoman, and her brave and relentless advocacy in the fight against HIV/AIDS, all make us all incredibly proud of what she accomplished. We know, quite simply, that the world is a better place for Mom having lived in it. Her legacy will never fade, her spirit will always be with us, and her love will live forever in our hearts."

In her interview in the March issue of Harper's Bazaar, Taylor chuckled, "I never planned to acquire a lot of jewels or a lot of husbands. I have been supremely lucky in my life in that I have known great love, and of course, I am the temporary custodian of some incredible and beautiful things."

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