Elizabeth Edwards, the estranged wife of former North Carolina senator and presidential candidate John Edwards, died Tuesday after a lengthy battle with breast cancer. She was 61.
Edwards, an attorney, author and health care advocate, died Tuesday morning in her Chapel Hill home surrounded by family.
"Today we have lost the comfort of Elizabeth's presence but she remains the heart of this family. We love her and will never know anyone more inspiring or full of life," her family said in a statement.
"On behalf of Elizabeth we want to express our gratitude to the thousands of kindred spirits who moved and inspired her along the way. Your support and prayers touched our entire family."
Edwards was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004. In 2007 she announced the disease had spread to her ribs and hips, saying it was incurable but treatable.
On Monday, Edwards released a statement saying she had stopped treatment after doctors told her additional treatment would be "unproductive."
Her last book, "Resilience: Reflections on the Burdens and Gifts of Facing Life's Adversities," went on sale in June.
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The news is still breaking –
I hope you can eventually forgive the Internet for this MASSIVE inconvenience.
Maybe because it JUST happened?
I assume it just happened and they haven't had a chance to upload a full article...
Because it's breaking news. CNN puts out what they have, so you're at least informed a little. Give 'em a second. Jeez. More to come.
Then why did you even bother to respond with something hateful? Go away.
You seriously disgust me. I think her passing is a little more important than your need for details.
have some respect...jeez.
PEACE! And may this beautiful, loving woman rest in peace.
I think that was very insensitive of you to leave that comment.
That's heartess and crass!
Such a sad thing for such a brave woman to have a husband that couldn't appreciate her the way so many others did. May she now have the happiness she deserves and a glorious reunion with her beloved son.
Didn't your parents teach you that if you didn't have anything nice to say you should keep your mouth shut.
Your comment is in totally bad taste. Another example of how a web site comment opportunity allows someone to hide behind an alias and make remarks they would never make to someone's face.
You're an @$$ Show some respect.