The legendary English-born American actress, Elizabeth Taylor, died at the age of 79 in Los Angeles.

Her publicist told CNN that Taylor died "peacefully today in Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles."  She was hospitalized 6 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."

Elizabeth Taylor, winner of 2 Oscars for "Butterfield 8" (1960) and "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf" (1966),  was actually more celebrated for simply being her: sexy, glamorous, tempestuous, fragile, always trailing courtiers, media and fans. She was also known as the world's most beautiful and desirable woman and her personal life brought on a lot of media attention. Taylor had eight marriages and several near-death experiences. The American Film Institute named Taylor seventh on its Female Legends list.