R.I.P. Elizabeth Taylor

Actress and HIV/AIDS activist Elizabeth Taylor died early Wednesday morning at the age of 79 in Los Angeles. Taylor grew from a child star, taking the screen in films such as National Velvet, to winning an Academy Award for her portrayal of Martha in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolf?. She also won an award for portrayal of a call-girl in Butterfield 8.

Taylor was one of the first celebrities to lend her star power to raise awareness and funds to fight HIV and AIDS. She helped start the American Foundation for AIDS Research. She also started her own fund called the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Fund. Throughout her life she helped raise more than $50 million to fight the disease.