Elizabeth Edwards Dies At 61

Elizabeth Edwards, wife of former Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards, died at her Chapel Hill home on Tuesday morning after battling cancer for the last six years, MSNBC confirms.

"Today we have lost the comfort of Elizabeth's presence, but she remains the heart of this family," the Edwards family said in a statement. 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," the family added. "Your support and prayers touched our entire family."

First diagnosed in 2004, Elizabeth was surrounded by family and friends at the time of her passing, which included her estranged husband and three children: Cate, 28, Emma, 12, and Jack, 10. (In 1996, the couple lost their 16-year-old son, Wade, in car accident.)

On Monday, Elizabeth announced that she would no longer be seeking cancer treatment after physicians told the 61-year-old that she faced the possibility of having just weeks to live.