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Tributes flood in for Elizabeth Taylor

BANG Showbiz Published Wednesday, March 23, 2011 1:07PM EDT

Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton dine alone in the King Edward Hotel in Toronto, which was closed to the public, Jan. 30, 1964. (THE CANADIAN PRESS)

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Tributes have flooded in for the late Dame Elizabeth Taylor in the wake of her death, with Sir Elton John describing her as a "Hollywood giant."

The screen legend passed away at 1.28 a.m. on Wednesday morning at Los Angeles' Cedars-Sinai Medical Center -- where she had been receiving treatment for the last few weeks for congestive heart failure -- surrounded by her four children, Michael Wilding, Christopher Wilding, Liza Todd and Maria Burton.

Since the news, numerous stars who knew her, or admired her during her life have paid their respects.

Elton, 63, wrote on his Twitter page: "We have just lost a Hollywood giant; more importantly, we have lost an incredible human being."

Whoopi Goldberg mourned the loss of her "diamond loving" friend on her Facebook page, thanking the 'Cleopatra' star for helping her during her career.

She wrote: "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 tellin', diamond loving, fantastic woman. She played a big role in shaping my life as Whoopi Goldberg. It really is the end of an era."

Sir Michael Caine -- who starred in the 1972 movie 'Zee and Co' with Taylor -- paid tribute to the person rather than the actress.

He tweeted: "So sad to hear about my beautiful friend Elizabeth Taylor she was a great human being."

The double-Oscar winning actress' representative has revealed her final moments were peaceful, and although her condition worsened at 6 p.m. on Tuesday night doctors had been positive about her illness.

The rep' said: "She died peacefully. 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."

As well as her four children, Taylor -- who was married eight times to seven different men -- is survived by 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Reaction from across the world to news of the death of Elizabeth Taylor:

"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." -- British director Michael Winner.
"We have just lost a Hollywood giant; more importantly, we have lost an incredible human being." -- Elton John.
"Elizabeth Taylor was the last of the Hollywood greats, and a fantastically charming woman." -- Tweet from singer George Michael.
"Elizabeth, thank you for all your help in the battle for HIV and AIDS. You will be missed by the world." -- Tweet from former basketball star Magic Johnson, who is infected with HIV.
"She leaves a monumental legacy that has improved and extended millions of lives and will enrich countless more for generations to come." -- Statement from amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research.
"She was the most amazing woman. When she walked into a room, she just had the most amazing presence about her. She was just incredible." -- Designer Elizabeth Emanuel.
"Elizabeth and I began our careers about the same time at MGM. Throughout her tumultuous life, she will be remembered for some unique and memorable work. And she will be ever remembered and appreciated for her forthright support of AMFAR." -- Actress Angela Lansbury.
"In a career spanning more than 70 years and 50 films, her talent endured the test of time and transcended generations of moviegoers. She truly was an American icon, whose legacy went far beyond her acting skills, most notably in her efforts to lead the battle against HIV/AIDS." -- Chris Dodd, chairman and CEO of the Motion Picture Association of America.