After her six year battle with breast cancer, Elizabeth Edwards – wife of former Democratic presidential candidate, John Edwards – died on Tuesday at her home in Chapel Hill, N.C. She was 61.
“Today we have lost the comfort of Elizabeth’s presence, but she remains the heart of this family,” said the Edwards family in a statement.
First diagnosed in 2004, Elizabeth was surrounded by family and friends including her estranged husband and three children: Cate, 28, Emma, 12, and Jack, 10. Her eldest child, Wade, was killed in a 1996 car accident when he was 16.
The statement continues, “We love her and will never know anyone more inspiring or full of life. 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.”
On Monday, Elizabeth announced she would no longer receive treatment after her doctors determined it would be unproductive and that she only had a short while left to live.
On her Facebook page, Elizabeth thanked her supporters and wrote, “You all know that I have been sustained throughout my life by three saving graces – my family, my friends, and a faith in the power of resilience and hope. These graces have carried me through difficult times and they have brought more joy to the good times than I ever could have imagined. The days of our lives, for all of us, are numbered. We know that. And, yes, there are certainly times when we aren’t able to muster as much strength and patience as we would like. It’s called being human.”
Elizabeth and her husband separated in January after John eventually admitted to fathering a child with Rielle Hunter, a videographer who worked for his campaign.
President Barack Obama called Elizabeth’s estranged husband, and their daughter, Cate, to offer his condolences. He and First Lady Michelle released a statement of their own, saying, “In her life, Elizabeth Edwards knew tragedy and pain. Many others would have turned inward; many others in the face of such adversity would have given up. But through all that she endured, Elizabeth revealed a kind of fortitude and grace that will long remain a source of inspiration. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends.”
Rest In Peace Elizabeth.
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