Elizabeth Taylor dies, aged 79

Actress Elizabeth Taylor has died at the age of 79.

ABC news is reporting that the double Oscar winner passed away early this morning.

She had been at the Cedars-Sinai medial centre in Los Angeles for a number of weeks.

It is understood she died of congestive heart failure.

Taylor was considered one of the greatest actresses of all time, starring in classics including "Cleopatra" and "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof".

She won an Academy Award for best actress twice for her roles in "Butterfield 8" and "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?".

Taylor was also known for her colourful love life , marrying eight times, twice to Richard Burton.

In later years, she was a spokeswoman for humanitarian causes, notably Aids research.

She also developed a strong friendship with Michael Jackson and they stayed close right up until his death in June 2009.

Taylor made a rare public appearance to attend the King of Pop’s private funeral in September 2009.

In the wake of his sudden passing, she released an emotional tribute to the 'Billie Jean' singer, saying: "I loved Michael with all my soul and I can't imagine life without him. We had so much in common and we had such loving fun together. I don't think anyone knew how much we loved each other. It was the purest most giving love I've ever known."

A lover of the silver screen until her last days, Taylor reportedly spent her 79th birthday on February 27 watching the Oscars from her hospital bed.