It is with a sad and very heavy heart that I pass along the news that the iconic Elizabeth Taylor has died. Taylor, who has been hospitalized for the past few weeks due to a heart condition, passed away peacefully at Cedars-Sinai Hospital earlier today at the age of 79. It goes without saying that a great light in the world has gone out today … a light that can never be replaced and will never, ever be forgotten.

Elizabeth Taylor, the Hollywood icon and Oscar-winner who was practically born in the spotlight, has died. She was 79. “She was surrounded by her children – Michael Wilding, Christopher Wilding, Liza Todd and Maria Burton,” Taylor’s publicist, Sally Morrison, said in a statement. In addition to her children, Taylor is survived by 10 grand children and four great grandchildren. On Feb. 11, it was announced that she had been in taken to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles earlier that week for symptoms caused by congestive heart failure, and she “peacefully died there,” according to her publicist. “Though she had recently suffered a number of complications, her condition had stabilized and it was hoped that she would be able to return home. Sadly, this was not to be” … For Elizabeth Taylor, nothing was ordinary – including her medical battles. For the past several years she had suffered ill health, though to the very end she was a tireless advocate for AIDS research … The beauty was not only known for her string of movie roles and generous charitable contributions: Her storied personal life, which included eight marriages and seven husbands, added to Taylor’s status as a true Hollywood legend. Her other husbands (before Burton) were hotel heir Conrad “Nicky” Hilton, actor Michael Wilding, producer Michael Todd, singer Eddie Fisher and (after Burton) U.S. Senator John Warner and construction worker Larry Fortensky. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation. Details of a memorial service will be announced at a later date.

Movie stars don’t come bigger than Elizabeth Taylor … her legendary status in Hollywood is unmatched, unsurpassed and sets a standard that will never be eclipsed. But even more important than her iconic star status was Taylor‘s unfailing generosity and will to give. Elizabeth Taylor set the standard when it comes to raising awareness and funding for AIDS research. Her tireless efforts to work toward finding a cure for the disease came at a time in our History when it was almost unheard of to even talk about the existence of the disease, let alone champion its cure. I know — absolutely — that Elizabeth Taylor worked tirelessly to find an end to AIDS for as long as she drew breath. Today is a very sad day, not only in Hollywood but around the world. Elizabeth Taylor is loved like no other … and she will be sadly, sadly missed.

UPDATE: Here is the official statement just released by Taylor‘s son Michael Wilding:

“My Mother was an extraordinary woman who lived life to the fullest, with great passion, humor, and love,” her son, Michael, said in a statement to ABC News. “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.”

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