Elizabeth Edwards, a lawyer, best-selling author, mother of three and the wife of two-time presidential candidate John Edwards, died peacefully in her home.
She was 61. Just days after doctors advised her to suspend her cancer treatment, Elizabeth tragically succumbed after battling the disease for over six years.
Elizabeth Edwards was surrounded by friends and family in her last days, including John himself. She and John were estranged following the Rielle Hunter scandal.
R.I.P. Elizabeth Edwards (1949-2010).
Monday, Elizabeth posted what read like a farewell message on her Facebook page reading, "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,"she added.
"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."
Elizabeth is survived by a grown daughter, Cate, and two young children, Jack and Emma. Her son Wade died in a car accident at age 16 back in 1996.
A graduate of the University of North Carolina Law School, she was her famous husband's intellectual equal, his chief ideologue and most of all, his rock.
Edwards helped remake the role of the political spouse in this era. She was the driving force behind her husband’s rise to the Democratic political elite.
As strategist, campaign manager, surrogate and public interpreter for her husband, she earned a nation's respect - but that respect grew in recent years.
John Edwards' career unraveled as quickly and shockingly after he fathered a love child with Hunter, then lied and possibly illegally tried to cover it up.
But Elizabeth’s charm, intelligence and class never wavered, and her willingness to condemn John's actions and separate from him spoke volumes.
Our condolences go out to her children and loved ones.