Among the millions grieving the loss of Dame Elizabeth Taylor: Her son Michael Wilding Jr., who was by his mother's side when she passed away Wednesday at age 79 at L.A.'s Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.
The two-time Oscar winner and humanitarian "was an extraordinary woman who lived life to the fullest, with great passion, humor and love," Wilding (Taylor's son with second husband, late actor Michael Wilding) said in a statement.
"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."
In all, Taylor (who married eight times — twice to love Richard Burton) is survived by 4 children, 10 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.
Added Michael Wilding Jr.: "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."
An early and staunch AIDS activist, Taylor earned the Jean Herscholt Humanitarian Academy Award in 1992 for her humanitarian work. The British-born beauty was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1999.
Her son continued: "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."
Despite her failing health in the last years of life, Taylor stayed active, even joining Twitter.
One of her last Tweets, in July: "Every breath you take today should be with someone else in mind. I love you."
