Screen legend Elizabeth Taylor is being treated in a Los Angeles hospital for congestive heart failure, according to multiple online reports.

The eight-time married screen icon was admitted to Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre earlier this week but her hospitalization was only reported on Friday evening.

This week's medical setback is the latest in a long history of serious medical problems the 78-year old Hollywood actress suffered lately.

Liz is under medical surveillance
Her spokeswoman, Sally Morrison, confirmed Friday the hospitalization of Liz Taylor, saying the Oscar-winning actress is in Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where she is being treated for symptoms caused by congestive heart failure, a condition she disclosed she had back in November 2004.

In congestive heart failure, the heart stops pumping sufficient oxygen-rich blood through the body

This week's medical setback is the latest in a long history of serious medical problems the 78-year old Hollywood actress suffered lately.

"Elizabeth Taylor was hospitalized earlier this week... suffering from symptoms caused by congestive heart failure, an ongoing condition. This issue is being addressed... She is currently being kept in the hospital for monitoring," Reuters quoted Morrison as saying in a statement.

Morrison, however, declined to say how long Taylor would be in the hospital, adding that the actress' family appreciated the support from fans.

"Her family and close friends are appreciative of the warm support and interest of her loyal fans but have asked that people respect her privacy and allow her medical team the time and space to focus on restoring her back to health," her statement continued.

Liz missed amfAR gala
Taylor, who won Oscars for her roles in 'Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf' in 1966 and 'Butterfield 8' in 1960, had been scheduled to attend an amfAR- The Foundation for AIDS Research-benefit gala Wednesday night in New York, reports The Associated Press.

The actress was too frail to attend the event, where she was to receive an award alongside President Bill Clinton and designer Diane von Furstenberg, celebrating their dedication to AIDS research.

Elton John accepted the honor on her behalf, the AP reports.

Liz has long history of health problems
Taylor has had many medical problems through her life and is now confined to a wheelchair to get around.

In 1997, the actress became a featured tabloid topic when she underwent brain surgery for brain tumor, and in 1983 she signed herself into the Betty Ford Clinic in California for treatment of her alcohol addiction.

In 2004, Taylor announced that she had been diagnosed with congestive heart failure. She has broken her back five times, survived skin cancer and has faced life-threatening bouts with pneumonia twice.

In 2006, Taylor appeared on U.S. television to deny rumors she had Alzheimer's. She had heart surgery in 2009 to replace a leaky valve.

Taylor's long list of past husbands
Liz is also known for his high-profile failed marriages. She has been married eight times before, twice to the late actor Richard Burton.

The Oscar-winning actress is known as much-married movie star, as she married eight times to seven husbands. She first married Conrad "Nicky" Hilton on May 6, 1950 but divorced on Jan. 29, 1951, then married Michael Wilding on Feb. 21, 1952 and divorced Jan. 26, 1957.

The list continues, Michael Todd (Feb. 2, 1957 - March 22, 1958, widowed); late Eddie Fisher (May 12, 1959 - March 6, 1964,divorced); Richard Burton (March 15, 1964 - June 26, 1974, divorced); Richard Burton (for the second time, Oct. 10, 1975 - July 29, 1976, divorced); John Warner (Dec. 4, 1976 - Nov.7, 1982, divorced) and Larry Fortensky (Oct. 6, 1991 - Oct. 31, 1996, divorced).

The star of 1958's 'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof' has been single since 1996.