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Elizabeth Taylor, a Hollywood legend whose beauty and passion lit up the silver screen, has died at age 79.

Born in London, Taylor enthralled Hollywood as a child actor and charmed audiences with her violet-colored eyes. In a career that spanned seven decades, she earned five Academy Award nominations, was appointed Dame Commander of the British Empire, and never strayed far from the public’s interest. For more on her storied life and career, check out The Telegraph.

Her life off-screen earned her as much attention as her film work, with eight headline-grabbing marriages including one to John Warner whom she helped to get elected to the U.S. senate in 1978. USA Today has more on Taylor’s time as a political wife.

While Taylor will always be known as a movie star, for millions worldwide she may perhaps be best remembered for her courageous work on behalf of HIV/AIDS causes. The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation has been a longtime supporter of the Whitman-Walker Clinic, which named its main clinic in D.C. after the actress.

The Washington Business Journal has more:

“Her dedication to the cause led her to be her personally for the dedication. That kind of commitment exemplifies why she was so important in the early days of the fight against HIV/AIDS,” said Whitman-Walker executive director Don Blanchon in a statement. “We will ensure that she is remembered not just for her career but for her unwavering support for a community and a cause that, in the early days, many would not touch.”

Taylor entered the hospital six weeks ago with congestive heart failure. She passed away Wednesday morning at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles surrounded by her four children.