Elizabeth Taylor dies

The silver screen star passed away this morning at the age of 79, her publicist has confirmed

Oscar-winning actress Dame Elizabeth Taylor has passed away at the age of 79, her publicist has confirmed.

The screen legend died at the Cedars-Sinai Hospital hospital in Los Angeles in the early hours of this morning, after suffering from congestive heart failure.

ELISABETH TAYLOR RETROSPECTIVE

'Legendary actress, businesswoman, and fearless activist Elizabeth Taylor died peacefully today in Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles,' a spokesman said in a statement.

'She was surrounded by her children - Michael Wilding, Christopher Wilding, Liza Todd, and Maria Burton,' it added.

In a tribute, read out on Good Morning America, Michael said: '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 contributions to our world.'

Taylor - who was married eight times, and famously tied the knot to Richard Burton twice - is survived by ten grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

The starlet had suffered with ill heath in recent years, and underwent 100 operations over her lifetime, including intensive heart surgery to replace a leaky valve in 2009.

Earlier this week, a spokesman for the star confirmed she had been admitted to hospital, and was undergoing treatment.

'Elizabeth Taylor was hospitalised earlier this week ... suffering from symptoms caused by congestive heart failure, an ongoing condition,’ a statement read.

'This issue is being addressed ... She is currently being kept in the hospital for monitoring.'

A close personal friend of Michael Jackson, she will be best remembered for roles in Cleopatra, National Velvet, and Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

ELISABETH TAYLOR RETROSPECTIVE