Elizabeth Taylor dead at 79

Elizabeth Taylor, the violet-eyed beauty whose hectic off-screen love life often eclipsed her most sultry film roles, has died. She was 79.

According to NBC, the actress suffered a heart attack. A statement from her publicist said that Liz died "peacefully today in Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles".

She was hospitalized six weeks ago with congestive heart failure, "a condition with which she had struggled for many years. 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."

Considered the "last old-time Hollywood star", actress Elizabeth Taylor had an impressive career. She was a two-time Oscar winner - for "Butterfield 8" (1960) and "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf" (1966) - and received from the American Film Institute the Lifetime Achievement Award. She starred in over 80 films, but probably remained in the memory of the people firstly because of her beauty, glamor, outgoing personality and flamboyant lifestyle.

Elizabeth Taylor was born on 27 February 1932, at Hampstead, near London. She had her first role as a child, at the age of 9, and her innocence and beauty immediately captured the audience.

On 6 May 1950, she married Nick Hilton, the billionaire son of Conrad Hilton. This was just one of many marriages to follow. The first divorce came after only six months.

In 1958 Liz was 26 years old and she had already starred in 28 movies and had been nominated three times for an Oscar. She was seen as the most spoiled Hollywood actress, while critics say that she was also one of the most "expensive" ones. It is said that "Cleopatra" alone brought her in 1962 over one million dollars.

She became an early AIDS activist, raising millions for research and treatment. BBC once noted that her charity work had grossed as much as her film career.

In 1999, she was made a Dame of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II.

Elizabeth Taylor lived her life similar to her successful movie roles: with passion and dedication. May she rest in peace.