Hollywood screen legend Elizabeth Taylor has died from heart problems aged 79.
The two-time Oscar winner – who was known for her beauty, her Hollywood lifestyle and her many marriages – died in Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles, where she was hospitalised six weeks ago.
The legendary actress was born in the United Kingdom and first rose to stardom through the movie National Velvet.
But it was her work in Hollywood’s golden age that set her apart as the highest paid actress of her time.
In 1960, Taylor became the highest paid actress for her role in Cleopatra, the same movie that introduced her to her future husband Richard Burton.
She won her first Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role in BUtterfield 8 and then went on to win her second Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolf?
Taylor devoted a lot of her time to AIDS related charities and helped start the American Foundation for AIDS Research after her friend and fellow actor Rock Hudson died from an AIDS-related illness. The charity has since raised an estimated $50 million.
In November 2004, Taylor was first diagnosed with congestive heart failure.
She was married eight times and has four children.