GH Releases Statement on Elizabeth Taylor's Passing

"We were honored to work with Elizabeth Taylor on General Hospital. Her portrayal of Helena was a defining moment for the show and an extraordinary experience for everyone involved. She was a great talent, a gracious lady, and a rare presence. We are deeply saddened by her passing and send our deepest condolences to her family and friends."

BREAKING NEWS - Elizabeth Taylor Has Died

(From KTLA News)

Legendary actress Elizabeth Taylor has died at the age of 79.


Taylor died early Wednesday morning of congestive heart failure at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, according to her publicist, Jamie Cadwell.


She was hospitalized in February for symptoms caused by congestive heart failure, described at the time as "an ongoing condition" by Cadwell.


Taylor, a double Oscar winner famous for her eight marriages -- twice to actor Richard Burton -- underwent heart surgery in 2009 to replace a leaky valve.

(Read the rest here.)


While she will, of course, be remembered for her magnificent performances in "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof," "Giant" and "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf," she will also be remembered by soap-opera lovers for her infamous appearance in 1981 on "General Hospital" as Helena Cassadine (she also made a cameo on "All My Children" in 1983). This was quite a coup for GH to acquire an actress of Elizabeth's caliber, and I remember the excitement around my house (and my grandmother's) as the story unfolded and Helena played a pivotal (and menacing) role in the wedding of Luke and Laura.

Elizabeth was married eight times, and she leaves behind four children and nine grandchildren.