quote:After a six-year battle with breast cancer, Elizabeth Edwards has died at age 61, ABC News has learned.
Elizabeth Anania Edwards, mother, author, advocate died today at her home in Chapel Hill, surrounded by her family," said a statement released by her family just after 5 p.m. "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," the statement read.
Earlier this week it was announced that Edwards, who had been admitted and then released from the hospital over Thanksgiving, had stopped all cancer treatment.
"Elizabeth has been advised by her doctors that further treatment of her cancer would be unproductive," said a statement released by Edwards' family earlier this week. "She is resting at home with family and friends."
Edwards, who was estranged from her husband and one-time presidential hopeful John Edwards, was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004.
A close friend of the Edwards family told ABC News that John Edwards was among those who were at her side during her final days. The friend described the environment at the house as warm and peaceful. The mood was sad, but also full of warm feelings too....
God bless her. I didn't always agree with her, but I hope she's at peace. She had to deal with not only the loss of a child, but also with being publicly humiliated by her slimy husband's behavior.
I was hoping she would make it to Christmas for the sake of her kids, but I'm glad she's no longer fighting cancer.