Good Morning America has reported that actress Elizabeth Taylor has died at the age of 79. The Today Show has also reported the news, which is now being reported by all major news agencies.

Taylor's death signals the end of Hollywood's Golden Age, as well as the loss of one of the movie stars who ushered in the Gossip-laden coverage of Hollywood stars. Known as well for movies like "Cleopatra" and "National Velvet" as she was for her repeated marriages - nine in all, including three to actor Richard Burton - Taylor was the model movie star.

Last year, Vanity Fair published an article about Taylor and Burton's love affair, titled "A Love Too Big To Last."

Taylor was recently a patient at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center for treatment of congenital heart failure. She leaves behind four children, nine grandchildren, as well as a legacy of beauty and fame.

Taylor also leaves behind a legacy as a dogged fundraiser and advocate for AIDS awareness. Rocked by the death of her friend Rock Hudson from the disease, Taylor spent a great deal of time fighting for the well-being of HIV/AIDS patients around the globe. Taylor had a presence on Twitter, with one of her few tweets to her fans from July 22, 2010 reading:

No one is going to play Elizabeth Taylor, but Elizabeth Taylor herself.

Not at least until I'm dead, and at the moment I'm having too much fun being alive...and I plan on staying that way. Happiness to all.

Regardless of one's opinions of Taylor's personal life or acting ability, let there be no doubt she was one of the great cultural icons in American history.

According to GMA, a private family funeral for Taylor will be held later this week.

--WKW