Elizabeth Edwards died of breast cancer on Tuesday. News of her death came a day after it was announced that she had ended treatment on her doctors' advice. We take a look back at her life, her family and her battle against the illness.


Her last days
Edwards' family gathered around her at the family's Chatham County, N.C., home. Her estranged husband, former U.S. Sen. John Edwards, reportedly moved back in to help care for Elizabeth and their two young children.

Her daily life
In recent years, Elizabeth Edwards tried to live a normal life. She became a businesswoman, opening a store in Chapel Hill. She also took children Jack and Emma Claire on family outings.

How they met
Elizabeth Anania met John Edwards while they were both law students. They married right after graduation.

Her cancer battle begins
In 2004, John Kerry conceded defeat in the race for president against George W. Bush; John Edwards was Kerry's running mate. Elizabeth Edwards, meanwhile, was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Their children
Elizabeth and John Edwards are the parents of four children. Wade Edwards died in 1996, while he was still a high school student. How old was Elizabeth Edwards when she had Emma Claire?

First cancer fight
She began treatment soon after the presidential election was settled, though she reportedly was in constant pain. What else did she say in her 2006 memoir about being injected with anti-cancer drugs?

John Edwards' presidential campaign
Elizabeth Edwards had appeared the supportive wife during her husband's vice-presidential bid, and she took a similar role in his 2008 presidential campaign. She was also considered one of his closest advisors.

John Edwards' affair
John Edwards reportedly admitted his affair with Rielle Hunter to his wife not long after he announced his presidential bid Why did she reportedly counsel him to quit the race? Here's how reports of the affair surfaced.

Campaign and cancer
In March 2007, John and Elizabeth announced that her cancer had returned but that his campaign for the presidency would continue.