Actress Elizabeth Taylor dies

Hollywood actress Elizabeth Taylor, famed her striking beauty and a film career that spanned five decades, has died at the age of 79, a statement by her publicist said on Wednesday.

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

She was surrounded by her children- Michael Wilding, Christopher Wilding, Liza Todd, and Maria Burton," it added, noting that she was also survived by 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.