Last Updated: 21 Apr 2011

The death of a Brit icon

The sad news that Elizabeth Taylor, one of the last true great stars of the glittering screen, died yesterday aged 79 of heart failure has resulted in an outpouring of condolences from both celebrities and non-celebrities alike.

Elizabeth had been hospitalised for the last six weeks but her health had been deteriorating for some time. She was surrounded by her four children at the time of her death and leaves behind 10 grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

Long-time friend and fellow Aids fundraiser Elton John was one of the first to voice his reaction at the news Elizabeth has sadly died. He said, "We have just lost a Hollywood giant. More importantly, we have lost an incredible human being."

Comic Steve Martin also spoke with fondness of Elizabeth yesterday saying, "I met Elizabeth Taylor several times. She was witty and self-deprecating, which I found surprising and delightful. She loved to laugh."

Whoopi Goldberg said, "Today my friend Elizabeth Taylor passed away. Oddly, we all knew this day was coming but still her passing took my breath away. She was a funny, loud, joke telling, diamond loving, fantastic woman. She played a big role in shaping my life as Whoopi Goldberg. It really is the end of an era."

In Elizabeth's last interview, which appeared in the American Harper's Bazaar earlier this month, she spoke about her reputation for wedding eight times, twice to the love of her life Richard Burton (pictured above) and amassing the most fabulous jewel collection in the world. She said, "I never planned to acquire a lot of jewels or a lot of husbands. I have been supremely lucky in my life in that I have known great love, and, of course, I am the temporary custodian of some incredible and beautiful things."

Our condolences go out to her loving family.