From correspondents in London, England, 01:01 AM IST

Hollywood veteran Elizabeth Taylor made a brave return to the spotlight on a wheelchair just weeks after she was reportedly put on life support following heart failure.

The 76-year-old star was honoured Thursday night at the Macy's Passport 2008 Gala that raises funds for HIV/AIDS organisations and spreads awareness about the disease, reports dailymail.co.uk. The event was held in Santa Monica, California.

'Elizabeth is a hero. She is an iconic artist, designer and entrepreneur. She is a mentor, and she is loved by not only me, but by people all over the world,' actress Kathy Ireland was quoted as saying.

Said designer Tommy Hilfiger: 'She's an icon, and I think she's done a wonderful job.'

Taylor was accompanied to the event by her millionaire friend Jason Winters.

The Oscar-winning actress suffers from diabetes and congestive heart failure. She also has had both hips replaced and had a benign brain tumour removed in 1997.

She is confined to a wheelchair because of osteoporosis.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)