Elizabeth Edwards has passed away, at the age of 61 after years of fighting cancer. Elizabeth is the estranged wife of former US Senator John Edwards, who was the 2004 Democtratic vice-presidential nominee.

In a statement, the family of Elizabeth Edwards said, "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."

She was diagnosed of breast cancer back in November 2004, shortly after her husband John lost in the election. Elizabeth chanelled her own illness to write the best-selling book Saving Graces: Finding Solace and Strength from Friends and Strangers published in 2006 and focuses on the death of her son Wade, and own illness.

In 2007, she announced that her cancer is back, and she further detailed her illness and grief in the follow-up Resilience: Reflections on the Burdens and Gifts of Facing Life's Adversities.

A few days before her death, Elizabeth posted a message on her Facebook account stating that she had stopped her cancer treatment as the cancer has mestasized her liver making any further treatment unproductive.

"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" wrote Edwards.

"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."

"But I have found that in the simple act of living with hope, and in the daily effort to have a positive impact in the world, the days I do have are made all the more meaningful and precious. And for that I am grateful. It isn't possible to put into words the love and gratitude I feel to everyone who has and continues to support and inspire me every day. To you I simply say: you know."

Elizabeth died surrounded by friends and family including her husband John, of metastatic breast cancer at home in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.