Elizabeth Taylor’s ex-husband and former US senator John Warner dies aged 94

Former Sen. John W

Obit Warner (AP2008)

Former Senator John W. Warner of Virginia has died aged 94.

The former Navy secretary, who was once married to Elizabeth Taylor, passed away at his home on Tuesday, his longtime chief of staff said on Wednesday.

Susan Magill said Mr Warner died of heart failure at home in Alexandria, with his wife and daughter at his side.

"He was frail but had a lot of spirit until his last days," Ms Magill said.

Mr Warner, a Republican, was elected to the Senate in 1978 and served five terms. He announced in 2007 that he would not run again in 2008. Mr Warner was also the sixth of Ms Taylor’s seven husbands. The two were married from 1976 to 1982.

A former secretary of the Navy, Mr Warner was for a time was chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee. He had an independent streak that sometimes angered more conservative GOP leaders.