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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Rest in peace, brave lady.
Very sad. I hope people can stop tearing John apart, even though he really screwed up. Obviously, Elizabeth had him by her side, and he is now raising their kids. Allowing the family to move on without all the salaciousness and nastiness is I'm sure what Elizabeth would have wanted....the nasty comments won't help her poor kids.
Agreed! This is about her life and death and not about him. No one but the two of them knows what their marriage was like or how either of them coped with love, loss and disappointment, but everyone judges him for what they saw in the news. Let her entire family, husband included, grieve in peace, without mentioning any mistakes you perceive he made, people.
Well said!
From what I read, her children do not want to live with their father - they prefer to be raised by their older sister.
I can't say I blame them.
Elizabeth's children have her courage.
Well said...
Wow I just heard this, I thought she ok for alittlt bit of time... RIP so sorry
What a beautiful lady. RIP. I loved your eyes. The angels have recruited you to be with them.
Rest in peace Elizabeth. May your children have peace. John can burn in hell.
Though her death was expected, it is sad news. I wish her family the best.
I hope her husband suffers..........what a dog he is........and to think he wanted to be president.
Let those who are without sin throw the first stone.
May you rest in peace!!!!!
RIP. May you never be in pain and suffering again. God Bless.
It is amazing how fast a person can let go once they are at peace with the world. Just yesterday she came out with statements of love and thanks as if she was ready to go. Today she is gone.
It happens like that. My father fought cancer for a year and he said he felt he had a couple of months left before he was gone and he died 4 days later. Once they come to peace with it the end is near. God grant her the peace she deserves.
I thought she was a neat lady, so sad.
God Bless her and her children She was a lady of grace
God rest her soul. Now – all the people who wanted to slam John Edwards for the way he betrayed his wife...go ahead. She's gone and can't be hurt by it any longer.
May she rest in peace....
that's unfortunate
may she rest in peace; i hope her memory is treated with kindness