In wake of Elizabeth Taylor's passing, her son Michael Wilding has released a heartfelt statement on behalf of the family.

"My Mother was an extraordinary woman who lived life to the fullest, with great passion, humor, and love, " Wilding said.  "Though her loss is devastating to those of us who held her so close and so dear, we will always be inspired by her enduring contribution to our world. 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 all incredibly proud of what she accomplished.  We know, quite simply, that the world is a better place for Mom having lived in it.   Her legacy will never fade, her spirit will always be with us, and her love will live forever in our hearts."

As Breaking Celebrity News previously reported, Elizabeth Taylor died peacefully Wednesday morning in Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles at the age of 79.   In addition to Wilding, she was surrounded by her other children Christopher Wilding, Liza Todd, and Maria Burton. In addition to her children, she is survived by 10 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.

The Oscar winning star had been hospitalized six weeks ago with congestive heart failure, a condition with which she had struggled for some 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.