Elizabeth Taylor ill with grief

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-07-16 08:59

Elizabeth Taylor has been hospitalised amid reports she is struggling to cope with Michael Jackson's death.

The 77-year-old actress - who was one of the late pop star's closest friends - was rushed to a Los Angeles hospital from her Beverly Hills home yesterday (14.07.09) after reportedly being left weak and exhausted from the grief of losing the musician.

New York Post columnist Cindy Adams, who is a friend of Taylor's, said: "Not to add aggravation onto the Jacksons, but the source of her condition is simple - the heart's gone out of her.

"She's suffering weakness, tiredness, exhaustion and is emotionally drained. She hasn't stopped crying. She and Michael were devoted to one another."

Taylor had been getting ready to fly to London to attend the opening of the singer's 'This Is It' residency at The O2 arena - which was due to open on Monday (13.07.09) - when she was told he had died from a suspected cardiac arrest last month.

The frail screen legend - who uses a wheelchair because of scoliosis, which causes abnormal curving of the spine - began screaming when she heard the news and has since been inconsolable since.

Although she has been hospitalised, Taylor had previously revealed she would be going to a medical centre for some tests.

She wrote on her Twitter page: "I wanted you my friends to know that I'm going into the hospital Wednesday (15.07.09) or Thursday (16.07.09) to complete a test I was in the middle of."

Her publicist has also denied her hospital visit is related to Jackson's death.

Despite their close bond, the 'Cleopatra' actress did not attend Jackson's memorial service at Los Angeles' Staples Center last Tuesday (07.07.09) after deciding she wanted to remember her friend in private.

She wrote on her Twitter account: "I've been asked to speak at the Staples Center. I cannot be part of the public whoopla. And I cannot guarantee that I would be coherent to say a word."

Aware there would be speculation regarding her health, Taylor recently made posting on the website saying: "Although my grief over Michael could not be any deeper, I am not on suicide watch."

In the immediate aftermath of his death she released an emotional tribute to the 'Billie Jean' singer, saying: "I loved Michael with all my soul and I can't imagine life without him. We had so much in common and we had such loving fun together.

"He will live in my heart forever but it's not enough. My life feels so empty. I don't think anyone knew how much we loved each other.

"It was the purest most giving love I've ever known. Oh God! I'm going to miss him."