Tributes to Liz Taylor - The Sun Daily

CELEBRITIES paid tribute to Hollywood icon Elizabeth Taylor, who died in Los Angeles of congestive heart failure on Wednesday aged 79.

Among those who paid their respects were former US senator John Warner, who was married to Taylor in the late 1970s and early 80s.

"I'll remember her as a woman whose heart and soul were as beautiful as her classic face and majestic eyes," he said on CNN.

Her son, John, with second husband Michael Wilding, said in a statement: "The world is a better place for mum having lived in it. My mother was an extraordinary woman who lived life to the fullest, with great passion, humour and love.

"Her remarkable body of work in film, her ongoing success as a businesswoman, and her brave and relentless advocacy in the fight against HIV/AIDS, all make us incredibly proud of what she accomplished."

The foundation she created to raise awareness about the disease, the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation, said: "We mourn the loss of legendary actress, businesswoman and fearless activist Elizabeth Taylor."

Tributes to her poured in on a special Facebook page (www.facebook.com/ElizabethTaylorTribute) and on Twitter.

"Rest in peace, Elizabeth Taylor. You are a prism & will live on through all the good you did while you were with us," tweeted Alyssa Milano.

"Elizabeth Taylor was a great friend, a great star and one gutsy woman. She was so special. You won't see the likes of her again," Larry King said. "If Elizabeth took on a battle, she took it on 100%. She was first major celeb in the AIDS battle and she made it her cause."

Comedian Whoopi Goldberg recalled her having "a sense of humour that was so bawdy even I was saying: 'Really? That came out of your mouth?' She was just a magnificent woman. She was a great broad and a good friend."

"The shock of Elizabeth was not only her beauty. It was her generosity. Her giant laugh," said Mike Nichols, who directed her in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? "She is singular and indelible on film and in our hearts."

In Britain, where Taylor spent her early childhood before moving with her American parents to Los Angeles, actors Michael Caine and Joan Collins, and singers Elton John and George Michael were among the celebrities paying tribute to the icon.

"So sad to hear about my beautiful friend Elizabeth Taylor. She was a great human being," Caine said about the actress, with whom he starred in the 1972 film X,Y and Zee.

Collins praised Taylor as "the last of the true Hollywood icons", adding that "there would never be another star who comes close to her luminosity and generosity".

John, a long-time friend of the actress, said: "We've just lost a Hollywood giant. More importantly, we have lost an incredible human being."

Michael said on his website that Taylor was one of the last Hollywood greats and the only person he had ever met who had violet eyes. "They were genuinely violet, so beautiful."

Veteran filmmaker Michael Winner said: "Elizabeth Taylor was the last of the great glamour stars. She was the longest-running soap opera in history, and represented all the allure and tragedy that attracts people to Hollywood."

Former basketball star Earvin "Magic" Johnson, who is HIV positive, thanked Taylor for her years of work to combat AIDS. "Elizabeth, thank you for all your help in the battle for HIV and AIDS. You will be missed by the world."

"RIP Dame Elizabeth Taylor ... like a pure white diamond you'll shine on and on and on," Kylie Minogue tweeted at kylieminogue.

"RIP Elizabeth Taylor, an incomparable legend who will live forever," Mariah Carey said at MariahCarey.

Steve Martin, writing at steveMartinToGo, said: "I met Elizabeth Taylor several times. She was witty and self-deprecating, which I found surprising and delightful. She loved to laugh."

Joan Rivers, on her Twitter feed @Joan_Rivers, said: "Sad to hear of Elizabeth Taylor's death. She was the 1st major celebrity to join me in the fight against AIDS."

Tennis star Serena Williams also paid tribute to Taylor at serenawilliams.

"Elizabeth Taylor. You had Beauty the world has ever seen. No words can describe the loss of you." – Agencies