"Today we have lost the comfort of Elizabeth's presence but she remains the heart of this family," the Edwards family says in a statement. "We love her and will never know anyone more inspiring or full of life."
She died at her home in Chapel Hill, N.C., surrounded by her family.
"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 statement adds. "Your support and prayers touched our entire family."
On Dec. 6, 2010, it was announced that her doctors decided that further treatment for her breast cancer would be unproductive and that she only had a short time left to live.
That same day, on her Facebook page, Edwards thanked supporters and wrote, "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."
First diagnosed with cancer in 2004, Edwards went into remission until the 2008 presidential campaign.
Elizabeth Edwards Dies, Children Mourn
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