Elizabeth Taylor Biography: Age, Education, Family, Net Worth & Achievements. Hollywood’s Legendary Violet-Eyed Icon

Who is Elizabeth Taylor?

Let’s talk about Elizabeth Taylor Biography: Elizabeth Rosemond Taylor was born in February 27, 1932 and died in March 23, 2011, she was one of the most celebrated actresses in Hollywood history, a woman whose extraordinary beauty, particularly her legendary violet eyes, captivated audiences for over six decades. She began her career as a child actress in the early 1940s and was one of the most popular stars of classical Hollywood cinema in the 1950s. She then became the world’s highest-paid movie star in the 1960s, remaining a well-known public figure for the rest of her life.

Beyond her remarkable film career that earned her two Academy Awards and countless other honors, Elizabeth Taylor became equally famous for her tumultuous personal life, marked by eight marriages to seven different men, including two marriages to actor Richard Burton. Her life was a constant source of fascination for the public and media, making her one of the first modern celebrities whose every move was scrutinized and discussed globally.

In her later years, Taylor transformed her celebrity into powerful advocacy, becoming one of the first major Hollywood figures to champion AIDS awareness and research, raising hundreds of millions of dollars and helping to destigmatize the disease. Her legacy encompasses not just her cinematic achievements but also her humanitarian work, her business acumen (particularly with her successful perfume line), and her status as one of the last true stars of Hollywood’s Golden Age.

Elizabeth Taylor Early Life and Family Background

Elizabeth Rosemond Taylor was born in London, England, on February 27, 1932, to American parents Francis and Sara Taylor. Her father was a successful art dealer who had his own gallery in London. Her mother was an actress who had been successful before marriage under the stage name Sara Sothern.

Elizabeth Taylor Parents and Heritage

Francis Lenn Taylor was an art dealer from Springfield, Illinois, who had established himself in London’s art world, running a successful gallery that catered to wealthy collectors. His business connections would later prove instrumental in launching Elizabeth’s Hollywood career. Francis came from a family with artistic sensibilities and had developed expertise in European art, particularly paintings.

Sara Sothern (born Sara Viola Warmbrodt) had been a stage actress before her marriage, performing on Broadway and in theatrical productions. She gave up her career upon marrying Francis, but her love of performance and understanding of the entertainment world would later influence her daughter’s path. Sara’s theatrical background gave her insights into stagecraft and performance that she would pass on to Elizabeth.

Both parents were American citizens, which meant Elizabeth was born as an American citizen despite her London birthplace—a fact that would later ease her transition to Hollywood. The family lived comfortably in Hampstead Garden Suburb in North London, an affluent area favored by artists, intellectuals, and successful businesspeople.

Elizabeth Taylor Early Childhood in England

She was raised a Christian Scientist and did ballet from the time she could walk. Her parents enrolled her in ballet classes at age three with the renowned Vaccani School of Dancing, which trained children of aristocratic and upper-class families. These early dance lessons instilled discipline, physical grace, and performance confidence that would serve her throughout her acting career.

Elizabeth’s early childhood in England was idyllic—living in a beautiful home, attending ballet classes, and being surrounded by her parents’ artistic and culturally sophisticated circle. Her striking beauty was evident from early childhood, with her violet-blue eyes, dark hair, and delicate features making her a remarkably pretty child.

The London art world in which her father worked exposed young Elizabeth to wealthy collectors, artists, and cultural figures from an early age. This exposure to high society and artistic circles gave her a sophistication and worldliness unusual in a young child.

Elizabeth Taylor Move to America and Entry into Hollywood

Fleeing World War II

As World War II approached in 1939, Francis and Sara Taylor made the decision to leave England and return to the United States to avoid the coming hostilities. Sara took the children first, arriving in New York in April 1939, while Francis remained in London to wind up his business affairs before following.

The family eventually settled in Los Angeles, California, where Francis opened a new art gallery. Los Angeles was chosen partly because of business opportunities but also because of Sara’s connections to the entertainment world and her hope that her beautiful daughter might find opportunities in Hollywood.

Discovery and First Contract

Shortly after arriving in Los Angeles, Elizabeth’s extraordinary beauty attracted attention. Francis’s art gallery brought him into contact with Hollywood elite, and family connections helped introduce Elizabeth to influential people in the film industry.

At age nine, Elizabeth was encouraged to take a screen test at Universal Studios. Her natural beauty, poise, and the training from her ballet classes made her immediately photogenic and comfortable before cameras. However, Universal Studios famously decided not to sign her, allegedly because studio head Carl Laemmle Jr. thought she couldn’t act and found her voice too mature for a child.

This initial rejection didn’t discourage the family. Through family connections, Elizabeth was brought to the attention of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), then the most prestigious and powerful studio in Hollywood. MGM executives saw potential in the beautiful child and signed her to a contract in 1942 when she was just 10 years old.

Early Films at MGM

Elizabeth’s first film appearance was a small role in “There’s One Born Every Minute” (1942) at Universal before they dropped her contract. At MGM, she appeared in “Lassie Come Home” (1943), a supporting role in the beloved dog film that also starred Roddy McDowall, who would become a lifelong friend.

She followed this with a small role in “Jane Eyre” (1944), starring Orson Welles and Joan Fontaine, and “The White Cliffs of Dover” (1944). These early roles gave her experience and exposure, but her breakthrough was yet to come.

Elizabeth Taylor Child Star Success: National Velvet (1944)

At age 12, Elizabeth Taylor became a star with “National Velvet” (1944), in which she played Velvet Brown, a young English girl who trains her horse to compete in the Grand National steeplechase. The film was a critical and commercial success, and Elizabeth’s performance was praised for its naturalism and emotional depth.

To prepare for the role, Elizabeth had to learn to ride horses, which she did with characteristic determination. Legend has it that she convinced director Clarence Brown to cast her by promising to grow three inches (which she did through sheer willpower and perhaps good timing with puberty) and by demonstrating her horse-riding abilities.

“National Velvet” established several elements that would define Taylor’s career: her ability to portray emotional depth, her striking beauty that translated beautifully to Technicolor film, and her connection with audiences who saw in her both extraordinary beauty and relatable humanity.

The film’s success made Elizabeth one of MGM’s most valuable young stars. However, it also began a pattern that would define much of her early career—being controlled by the studio system that treated her as property rather than a person, dictating her roles, her public image, and even aspects of her personal life.

Elizabeth Taylor Teenage Transition and Early Adult Roles

Growing Up on Screen

Following “National Velvet,” Elizabeth appeared in several films during her teenage years including “Courage of Lassie” (1946), “Cynthia” (1947), “Life with Father” (1947), “A Date with Judy” (1948), and “Julia Misbehaves” (1948). These roles showcased her maturing beauty and developing acting skills but were often constraining, with the studio carefully controlling her image as a wholesome young woman.

The transition from child star to adult actress is notoriously difficult, but Elizabeth’s extraordinary beauty and growing acting ability eased her path. By her mid-teens, she had already developed the striking features that would make her one of the most beautiful women in the world—her violet eyes, perfect bone structure, dark hair, and porcelain skin.

Father of the Bride (1950)

At age 18, Elizabeth starred in “Father of the Bride” (1950) opposite Spencer Tracy and Joan Bennett. The film, about a father dealing with his daughter’s wedding, was a commercial success and demonstrated Elizabeth’s ability to carry a film as a leading lady rather than just a pretty child actress. Her portrayal of the bride was charming and showcased her comedic timing.

She reprised the role in the sequel “Father’s Little Dividend” (1951), further cementing her status as MGM’s leading young actress. These films marked her successful transition from child star to adult leading lady, a transition that often destroyed careers but which Elizabeth navigated successfully.

Elizabeth Taylor Rise to Stardom in the 1950s

A Place in the Sun (1951)

Elizabeth’s first major dramatic role as an adult came in “A Place in the Sun” (1951), directed by George Stevens and co-starring Montgomery Clift. This adaptation of Theodore Dreiser’s “An American Tragedy” gave Elizabeth the opportunity to play Angela Vickers, a beautiful rich girl who falls in love with a working-class man (Clift) who is accused of murdering his pregnant girlfriend.

Her performance was a revelation. Critics who had dismissed her as merely beautiful now recognized genuine acting talent. The close-ups of her face, particularly her eyes, became iconic images of Hollywood glamour. Her chemistry with Montgomery Clift was electric, and the two formed a deep friendship that lasted until his death.

“A Place in the Sun” was both a critical and commercial success, earning Elizabeth her first serious recognition as an actress rather than just a beautiful star. The film received six Academy Award nominations and won six of them, though Elizabeth was not nominated.

Other Notable 1950s Films

Throughout the 1950s, Elizabeth appeared in a string of successful films:

“Ivanhoe” (1952): A historical epic where she played Rebecca, demonstrating her ability to handle costume dramas.

“The Girl Who Had Everything” (1953): A drama that received mixed reviews but showcased her growing maturity as an actress.

“Rhapsody” (1954): A romantic drama that featured her in gorgeous costumes and highlighted her beauty.

“Elephant Walk” (1954): A drama set in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) where she replaced Vivien Leigh after Leigh suffered a nervous breakdown during filming.

“Beau Brummell” (1954): Another period costume drama with Stewart Granger.

“The Last Time I Saw Paris” (1954): Reuniting her with “Father of the Bride” director Vincente Minnelli.

Giant (1956)

One of Elizabeth’s most significant films of the 1950s was “Giant” (1956), directed by George Stevens (who had directed “A Place in the Sun”). The epic drama, spanning several decades in Texas, starred Elizabeth opposite Rock Hudson and James Dean in his final role before his death.

“Giant” required Elizabeth to age from a young bride to a grandmother across the film’s narrative. Her performance demonstrated increasing maturity and depth, and the film was both a critical and commercial success. It received ten Academy Award nominations including Best Picture (which it lost to “Around the World in 80 Days”).

Filming “Giant” was emotionally difficult as James Dean was killed in a car accident before the film was completed. Elizabeth had become close to Dean during filming, and his death deeply affected her.

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958)

Based on Tennessee Williams’s play, “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” (1958) paired Elizabeth with Paul Newman in one of her most celebrated performances. She played Maggie “the Cat” Pollitt, a frustrated wife dealing with her husband’s alcoholism and their troubled marriage.

The role was complex and demanding, requiring Elizabeth to portray seething sexuality, frustration, vulnerability, and determination. Her performance earned her the first of four Best Actress Academy Award nominations (she lost to Susan Hayward for “I Want to Live!”).

Working with Paul Newman, one of the era’s finest actors, pushed Elizabeth to deliver one of her best performances. The film’s exploration of sexuality, though constrained by 1950s censorship, was nevertheless bold for its time, and Elizabeth’s portrayal of Maggie was both glamorous and deeply human.

Suddenly, Last Summer (1959)

Elizabeth’s final film of the 1950s was another Tennessee Williams adaptation, “Suddenly, Last Summer” (1959), directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz. The gothic psychological drama featured Elizabeth opposite Katharine Hepburn and Montgomery Clift, reuniting her with her “A Place in the Sun” co-star.

The role of Catherine Holly, a young woman institutionalized after witnessing traumatic events, was one of Elizabeth’s most challenging. The film dealt with themes of homosexuality, cannibalism, and mental illness—controversial subjects for 1950s Hollywood.

Her performance earned her a second consecutive Academy Award nomination for Best Actress (she lost to Simone Signoret for “Room at the Top”). The film demonstrated that Elizabeth was now recognized as a serious dramatic actress capable of handling complex, difficult material rather than just a beautiful star in glamorous roles.

Elizabeth Taylor Personal Life: The Eight Marriages

Elizabeth Taylor’s personal life was as dramatic and publicized as her film roles. She was married eight times to seven different men, with two marriages to Richard Burton. Each marriage garnered enormous media attention and often overshadowed her professional work.

Marriage 1: Nicky Hilton (1950-1951)

At age 18, fresh from filming “Father of the Bride,” Elizabeth married hotel heir Conrad “Nicky” Hilton Jr. on May 6, 1950, in a lavish ceremony that attracted enormous media attention. The marriage was troubled from the start, with Hilton’s gambling, drinking, and alleged abuse making it untenable. They separated after eight months and divorced in January 1951.

This first marriage set a pattern that would repeat—Elizabeth falling deeply in love, believing each marriage would be “the one,” and then facing disappointment. The divorce was emotionally devastating for the young star who had believed in fairy-tale romance.

Marriage 2: Michael Wilding (1952-1957)

In February 1952, Elizabeth married British actor Michael Wilding, 20 years her senior. This marriage seemed more stable initially, and the couple had two sons: Michael Howard Wilding Jr. (born 1953) and Christopher Edward Wilding (born 1955).

However, the age difference and career imbalances (Elizabeth was becoming more successful while Wilding’s career was declining) created tensions. Elizabeth later acknowledged that she married Wilding partly seeking a father figure after her difficult first marriage. They divorced in January 1957.

Marriage 3: Mike Todd (1957-1958)

Elizabeth’s third marriage, to film producer Mike Todd in February 1957, was by her own account her happiest. Todd was a larger-than-life character who matched Elizabeth’s passion and intensity. They had one daughter together, Elizabeth Frances “Liza” Todd (born 1957).

Todd showered Elizabeth with affection, expensive gifts (including the famous 29-carat diamond engagement ring), and treated her as an equal partner. For the first time, Elizabeth seemed truly happy in a marriage that combined love, passion, and mutual respect.

Tragically, Mike Todd was killed in a plane crash in March 1958, just 13 months after their wedding. Elizabeth was scheduled to be on the plane but stayed behind due to a cold. Todd’s death devastated her, and she later said that if he had lived, she would never have married again.

Marriage 4: Eddie Fisher (1959-1964)

In the aftermath of Mike Todd’s death, Elizabeth found comfort with Eddie Fisher, who had been married to actress Debbie Reynolds, one of Elizabeth’s close friends. Fisher left Reynolds to be with Elizabeth, creating one of Hollywood’s biggest scandals.

The public condemned Elizabeth as a “homewrecker,” and she received hate mail and death threats. Despite the controversy, Elizabeth and Fisher married in May 1959. They had no children together.

The marriage was troubled from the start. Fisher later admitted he was partly attracted to Elizabeth because she had been Todd’s wife, and Elizabeth acknowledged she married him while still grieving for Todd. During the filming of “Cleopatra,” Elizabeth’s next significant relationship would begin, ultimately ending her marriage to Fisher.

Marriages 5 & 6: Richard Burton (1964-1974, 1975-1976)

Despite public disapproval, they continued their relationship and were married in 1964. Dubbed “Liz and Dick” by the media, they starred in 11 films together, including The V.I.P.s (1963), The Sandpiper (1965), The Taming of the Shrew (1967), and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

Elizabeth met Welsh actor Richard Burton on the set of “Cleopatra” in 1962. Despite both being married to others, they began a passionate affair that became a global scandal. The media frenzy surrounding their relationship was unprecedented, making them the most famous couple in the world.

Elizabeth Taylor and Welsh actor Richard Burton were married twice (1964–1974, 1975–1976), both unions ending in divorce. Their relationship was characterized by intense love, equally intense fighting, heavy drinking, extravagant gift-giving (Burton famously gave her extraordinary jewelry including the Taylor-Burton diamond), and collaborations on multiple films.

Their first marriage lasted a decade before they divorced in 1974. They remarried in 1975 but divorced again less than a year later in 1976. Despite the divorces, their love never fully died. In 2010, Taylor told People Magazine: “Richard was magnificent in every sense of the word. From those first moments in Rome we were always madly and powerfully in love.” And Taylor was buried in 2011 with the final love letter he sent her three days before his death in 1984.

Marriage 7: John Warner (1976-1982)

After her second divorce from Burton, Elizabeth married politician John Warner in December 1976. Warner was elected to the U.S. Senate from Virginia in 1978, making Elizabeth a political wife—a role that didn’t suit her temperament.

The marriage was more stable than her previous ones but ultimately unfulfilling. Elizabeth gained significant weight during this period, partly due to unhappiness and partly due to medication for her chronic back pain. She later described this marriage as one of her least happy. They divorced in November 1982.

Marriage 8: Larry Fortensky (1991-1996)

Elizabeth’s final marriage, at age 59, was to construction worker Larry Fortensky, whom she met at the Betty Ford Center where both were receiving treatment for substance abuse. They married at Michael Jackson’s Neveranch in October 1991, with the media paying millions for exclusive coverage.

The 20-year age difference and vastly different backgrounds created challenges. They divorced in October 1996 but remained friends. After this divorce, Elizabeth never married again, though she had various relationships.

Career Peak: The 1960s

Butterfield 8 (1960)

“Butterfield 8” (1960), based on John O’Hara’s novel about a high-class call girl, earned Elizabeth her first Academy Award for Best Actress. However, she later claimed this was a “sympathy Oscar” given because she had nearly died during filming from a life-threatening bout of pneumonia that required a tracheotomy.

Elizabeth hated the film and her character, feeling the role was beneath her. Yet her performance was compelling, showing a woman simultaneously confident and vulnerable, glamorous and desperate. The Oscar recognized her star power and acting ability, even in a role she didn’t respect.

Cleopatra (1963)

“Cleopatra” (1963) was one of the most expensive films ever made at the time, with a budget that ballooned to approximately $37 million (equivalent to over $300 million today). Elizabeth starred as the Egyptian queen in this epic historical drama that became as famous for its off-screen drama as its on-screen spectacle.

Elizabeth was paid an unprecedented $1 million for the role (equivalent to over $8 million today), making her the highest-paid movie star in the world. The production was plagued with problems: Elizabeth’s serious illness, director changes, budget overruns, and most famously, the scandal of her affair with co-star Richard Burton.

The film itself received mixed reviews but was eventually profitable due to re-releases. Elizabeth’s performance, while not her best work, was nevertheless commanding—she looked magnificent and brought regal authority to the role. The film’s true legacy was launching the Burton-Taylor relationship that would dominate tabloids for years.

Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966)

Elizabeth’s greatest performance came in “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” (1966), directed by Mike Nichols and based on Edward Albee’s play. She played Martha, a bitter, aging faculty wife in a destructive marriage, opposite Richard Burton as her husband.

The role required Elizabeth to age herself significantly, gain weight, and portray a character who was crude, angry, and sexually aggressive—a complete departure from her glamorous image. She threw herself into the role with ferocious commitment, delivering a performance of raw emotional power.

The film earned 13 Academy Award nominations and won five, including Elizabeth’s second Best Actress Oscar. Many consider this her finest work—a performance that proved conclusively she was a great actress, not just a great beauty. Her ability to transform herself physically and emotionally demonstrated artistic courage and skill.

Other 1960s Films

Throughout the 1960s, Elizabeth appeared in numerous films, many with Burton: “The V.I.P.s” (1963), “The Sandpiper” (1965), “The Taming of the Shrew” (1967), “Doctor Faustus” (1967), “The Comedians” (1967), “Boom!” (1968), “Secret Ceremony” (1968), and “The Only Game in Town” (1970).

Many of these films were not critically successful, and Elizabeth’s choices often seemed motivated more by desire to work with Burton than by quality of material. However, her star power remained immense, and she continued to command enormous salaries.

Elizabeth Taylor Career Decline and Personal Struggles (1970s-1980s)

Film Career Decline

The 1970s marked a decline in Elizabeth’s film career. Changing tastes in Hollywood, her weight fluctuations, aging (in an industry obsessed with youth), and poor film choices led to fewer quality roles. Films like “X, Y and Zee” (1972), “Night Watch” (1973), “The Blue Bird” (1976), and “A Little Night Music” (1977) were mostly commercial and critical failures.

By the late 1970s, Elizabeth was no longer a major box office draw. Her last significant film role was “The Mirror Crack’d” (1980), an Agatha Christie adaptation where she played a fading movie star—a role that felt uncomfortably close to her real-life situation.

Health Problems

Elizabeth’s health issues, which had begun in childhood with various ailments, intensified in adulthood. She underwent numerous surgeries including multiple back operations (partially due to injuries sustained during “National Velvet”), hip replacements, and treatment for various conditions.

She suffered from chronic pain, which led to addiction to prescription painkillers and alcohol. Her battles with substance abuse became public knowledge, and images of her overweight and struggling with health issues contrasted sharply with her legendary beauty.

Betty Ford Center

In 1983, Elizabeth voluntarily admitted herself to the Betty Ford Center for treatment for alcohol and drug addiction. This was a brave and unprecedented move—few major stars had publicly acknowledged addiction issues at that time.

Her openness about seeking treatment helped destigmatize addiction and recovery. She later credited her time at Betty Ford with saving her life. She returned to the center in 1988 for additional treatment, demonstrating ongoing commitment to sobriety.

Career Reinvention: Television, Theater, and Business

Television Work

As feature film opportunities declined, Elizabeth turned to television. “Between Friends” (1983) was her first TV movie. More significantly, she starred in television miniseries including “Hotel” (1983) and “Malice in Wonderland” (1985).

Her most celebrated TV work was in “Sweet Bird of Youth” (1989), based on Tennessee Williams’s play. This TV movie reunited her with director Nicolas Roeg and earned her positive reviews, showing she could still deliver powerful performances.

Broadway Debut

In 1981, at age 49, Elizabeth made her Broadway debut in a revival of Lillian Hellman’s “The Little Foxes.” The production was a commercial success, with Elizabeth’s star power filling seats, though critical reception of her performance was mixed. Nevertheless, it represented her willingness to take on new challenges and proved she could command a stage.

Perfume Empire

In 1987, Elizabeth launched “Passion,” her first fragrance, in partnership with Elizabeth Arden. The perfume was enormously successful, followed by “White Diamonds” in 1991, which became one of the best-selling celebrity fragrances of all time.

The success of her fragrance line (which eventually included over a dozen perfumes) demonstrated Elizabeth’s business acumen and created financial security. At its peak, her fragrance empire generated over $1 billion in revenue, with Elizabeth earning significant royalties.

This business success allowed Elizabeth financial independence in her later years and proved her brand remained powerful even as her film career waned.

Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Activism and Humanitarian Work

Early AIDS Advocacy

Elizabeth’s most important work in her later years was her AIDS activism. When her friend Rock Hudson publicly acknowledged his AIDS diagnosis in 1985 and died later that year, Elizabeth was galvanized into action.

In 1985, she co-founded the American Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR), becoming one of its most prominent advocates and fundraisers. At a time when AIDS carried enormous stigma and many celebrities avoided associating with it, Elizabeth used her fame fearlessly to raise awareness and money.

In 1991, she established the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation (ETAF) to support AIDS prevention and care programs. Through these organizations and her personal fundraising efforts, she helped raise hundreds of millions of dollars for AIDS research and patient care.

Breaking Taboos

Elizabeth’s willingness to publicly discuss AIDS, embrace patients, and challenge government inaction was revolutionary. At a time when many feared even touching AIDS patients, Elizabeth hugged them, visited them in hospitals, and spoke openly about the disease.

She lobbied Congress for increased AIDS research funding, testified before House and Senate committees, and used her celebrity to keep AIDS in the public consciousness. Her activism helped change public perception of the disease and those affected by it.

Awards and Recognition

Elizabeth’s humanitarian work earned her numerous honors including the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award (1993), a special Tony Award for her AIDS activism (1993), Presidential Citizens Medal (2001), and Kennedy Center Honors (1985).

In 2000, Queen Elizabeth II made her a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire for her AIDS work, allowing her to be styled as “Dame Elizabeth Taylor.”

Elizabeth Taylor Final Years and Death

Continued Public Presence

In her final years, Elizabeth remained in the public eye, albeit less actively. She made occasional film and television appearances, including voice work and cameos. She attended numerous charity events and continued her AIDS fundraising work.

She maintained friendships with celebrities including Michael Jackson (who called her his best friend) and remained close to her children and grandchildren. Despite health challenges, she maintained her sense of humor and her fierce spirit.

Health Decline

Elizabeth Taylor died on March 23, 2011, at age 79 from complications related to congestive heart failure. She had battled the condition for nearly eight years, undergoing cardiac surgery in 2009. Taylor passed away at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, surrounded by her four children.

Throughout her 70s, Elizabeth’s health deteriorated significantly. She had been hospitalized repeatedly for various conditions and had undergone dozens of surgeries throughout her life. The congestive heart failure represented the final challenge in a life marked by health struggles.

Death and Funeral

Elizabeth died on March 23, 2011, at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. She was surrounded by her four children: Michael and Christopher Wilding, Liza Todd, and Maria Burton (her adopted daughter from her marriage to Richard Burton).

According to her wishes, her funeral began 15 minutes late—she had joked that she wanted to be late for her own funeral, and her family honored this final request. She was buried in a private ceremony at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California, wearing the Cartier pearl and diamond engagement ring that Richard Burton had given her during their first marriage. She was also buried with Burton’s last love letter to her.

Global Mourning

Elizabeth’s death prompted worldwide tributes. Media outlets ran extensive retrospectives of her life and career. Celebrities, politicians, and ordinary fans mourned the loss of one of Hollywood’s last true legends.

Her legacy was celebrated not just for her beauty and acting but for her humanitarian work, her business success, her tumultuous but fascinating personal life, and her status as one of the final links to Hollywood’s Golden Age.

Elizabeth Taylor Legacy and Cultural Impact

As an Actress

Elizabeth Taylor left behind a filmography of over 50 films spanning six decades. She received five Academy Award nominations, winning two Best Actress Oscars (for “Butterfield 8” and “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?”). She received the Academy Honorary Award (Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award) in 1993.

Her performances ranged from charming in “National Velvet” to intensely dramatic in “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” She worked with many of cinema’s greatest directors including George Stevens, Joseph L. Mankiewicz, Mike Nichols, and Tennessee Williams adaptations from John Huston.

Beauty Icon

Elizabeth was celebrated as one of the most beautiful women in the world. Her violet eyes, in particular, became legendary. Her beauty was so remarkable that it sometimes overshadowed her acting ability, though her greatest performances proved she was much more than just a pretty face.

She influenced fashion and beauty standards for decades. Her numerous marriages, lavish lifestyle, and expensive jewelry (including the Taylor-Burton diamond) fascinated the public and established her as a symbol of glamour and excess.

Media and Celebrity Culture

Elizabeth was one of the first modern celebrities whose private life received as much attention as her professional work. The media coverage of her affairs, marriages, health issues, and every aspect of her life helped create the template for modern celebrity culture.

She understood the power of publicity and generally used it to her advantage, even when coverage was negative. Her ability to remain relevant and interesting to the public for over six decades was remarkable.

Business Pioneer

Her perfume empire demonstrated that celebrities could successfully leverage their brand into business ventures. “White Diamonds” perfume, in particular, proved extraordinarily successful and influential, paving the way for countless celebrity fragrances that followed.

Humanitarian Legacy

Perhaps Elizabeth’s most important legacy is her AIDS activism. She was one of the first major celebrities to use her platform to fight AIDS stigma and raise research funding. Her work undoubtedly saved lives and advanced treatment and research.

The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation continues her work, having distributed over $100 million in grants. Her humanitarian efforts inspired other celebrities to use their platforms for social causes.

Elizabeth Taylor Children and Family Life

Her Four Children

Despite her tumultuous personal life and eight marriages, Elizabeth was a devoted mother to her four children:

Michael Howard Wilding Jr. (born 1953) – Her first child with second husband Michael Wilding. He became an actor and later worked in film and television production.

Christopher Edward Wilding (born 1955) – Her second son, also with Michael Wilding. He pursued careers in photography and film production.

Elizabeth Frances “Liza” Todd (born 1957) – Her only child with Mike Todd, whom Elizabeth often said was the love of her life. Liza became a sculptor and artist, choosing a life away from the spotlight.

Maria Burton (born 1961) – Adopted during her marriage to Richard Burton. Maria has worked in fashion and philanthropy, continuing her mother’s charitable work.

Elizabeth’s children described her as a loving, hands-on mother despite her fame and busy career. She tried to provide them with as normal a childhood as possible, though growing up as Elizabeth Taylor’s children inevitably brought challenges.

Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren

Elizabeth delighted in her role as grandmother and great-grandmother. She had ten grandchildren and four great-grandchildren at the time of her death. Family gatherings were important to her, and she maintained close relationships with her extended family despite her demanding schedule and health challenges.

Elizabeth Taylor Jewelry Collection

The Taylor-Burton Diamond

Perhaps no piece of jewelry is more associated with Elizabeth than the Taylor-Burton diamond. Richard Burton purchased the 69.42-carat pear-shaped diamond for $1.1 million in 1969 (approximately $8 million today). The diamond was so spectacular that it had its own name and was exhibited at Cartier before Taylor wore it.

Elizabeth wore the diamond as a necklace to Princess Grace of Monaco’s 40th birthday party, where it caused a sensation. She later had it reset as a ring but found it too heavy for everyday wear. After her 1978 divorce from Burton, she sold the diamond in 1979 to fund the building of a hospital in Botswana, demonstrating her philanthropic commitment.

La Peregrina Pearl

Burton also gave Elizabeth the La Peregrina pearl, a historic gem once owned by Spanish royalty and Mary Tudor. The pearl, one of the largest ever found, had a fascinating provenance spanning centuries. Elizabeth had Cartier design a spectacular necklace incorporating the pearl with rubies and diamonds.

The Complete Collection

Elizabeth’s jewelry collection was legendary, including pieces from Cartier, Bulgari, Van Cleef & Arpels, and other prestigious jewelers. Beyond Burton’s gifts, she acquired pieces throughout her life, building one of the most impressive private jewelry collections in the world.

After her death, Christie’s auctioned her jewelry collection over several sales in 2011-2012. The auctions broke numerous records, with the total sales exceeding $137 million—far beyond pre-sale estimates. The success demonstrated that Elizabeth’s legend and taste continued to captivate collectors even after her death.

Elizabeth Taylor Relationship with Michael Jackson

Elizabeth Taylor and Michael Jackson formed an unlikely but deep friendship that lasted over 20 years until Jackson’s death in 2009. They met in the 1980s and bonded over their shared experiences of childhood stardom, intense media scrutiny, and living life in the public eye.

Jackson called Elizabeth his “best friend” and she defended him fiercely during his various controversies. She was one of the few people Jackson truly trusted, and she stood by him even when public opinion turned against him.

Elizabeth attended Jackson’s memorial service in 2009 and was visibly grief-stricken. When asked to speak, she declined, later explaining that she was too emotional and wanted to keep her memories private. Jackson’s death hit her hard, and she mourned him deeply in her final years.

Jackson’s children—Prince, Paris, and Blanket—referred to Elizabeth as “Grandma Taylor,” and she maintained relationships with them after their father’s death, providing continuity and connection to their father’s memory.

Elizabeth Taylor Autobiography and Media Portrayals

Her Own Words

Elizabeth Taylor published several books during her lifetime including:

“Nibbles and Me” (1946) – A children’s book she wrote at age 13 about her pet chipmunk.

“Elizabeth Takes Off: On Weight Gain, Weight Loss, Self-Image and Self-Esteem” (1987) – A candid book about her struggles with weight, including diet and exercise advice.

“My Love Affair with Jewelry” (2002) – A lavishly illustrated book about her legendary jewelry collection, with personal stories about each significant piece.

She also gave numerous interviews over her lifetime, though she was selective and became increasingly protective of her privacy in later years. Her interviews revealed intelligence, humor, self-awareness, and a refusal to apologize for her life choices.

Portrayals in Film and Television

Elizabeth Taylor’s life has been portrayed in numerous films, documentaries, and television productions:

“Liz & Dick” (2012) – A Lifetime television movie starring Lindsay Lohan as Elizabeth, focusing on her relationship with Richard Burton. The film received poor reviews and Lohan’s casting was controversial.

“Burton and Taylor” (2013) – A BBC television film starring Helena Bonham Carter as Elizabeth and Dominic West as Richard Burton, focusing on their 1983 stage collaboration. This production received much better reviews than “Liz & Dick.”

Documentaries – Numerous documentaries have explored her life including “Elizabeth Taylor: A Musical Celebration” (1977), “Elizabeth Taylor: An Intimate Portrait” (1975), and various retrospectives following her death.

In Popular Culture

Elizabeth has been referenced in countless songs, films, television shows, and other media. Her image has been recreated by artists including Andy Warhol, whose silk-screen portraits of Elizabeth became iconic works of pop art.

Her style, particularly her makeup (especially her emphasis on eyes), has influenced beauty standards and trends for decades. Modern makeup artists still reference Elizabeth’s looks when creating glamorous styles.

Elizabeth Taylor Financial Legacy and Estate

At the time of her death, Elizabeth Taylor’s estate was valued at between $600 million and $1 billion, with estimates varying based on different valuations of her various assets including:

Jewelry Collection – Worth over $150 million as demonstrated by auction results.

Art Collection – Extensive collection of paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts accumulated over decades.

Real Estate – Properties including her longtime Bel Air estate.

Perfume Empire – Ongoing royalties from her highly successful fragrance line.

Film Residuals – Continuing income from her extensive filmography.

Intellectual Property – Rights to her name, image, and likeness.

Her will divided her estate among her children, grandchildren, her brother Howard Taylor, and various charities. She left specific jewelry pieces to specific people including her children and long-time assistant. She also made substantial bequests to her AIDS foundation and other charitable organizations.

The management of her estate continues to generate income through licensing her name and image for various products, maintaining her perfume lines, and carefully curated uses of her likeness.

Elizabeth Taylor Pets and Animal Welfare

Throughout her life, Elizabeth was a devoted animal lover. She owned numerous pets including dogs, cats, and even more exotic animals. Her love of animals began in childhood with her chipmunk Nibbles (the subject of her children’s book) and her horse from “National Velvet” (which she was given as a gift after filming).

She supported animal welfare causes and occasionally used her platform to advocate for animal rights. Her love of pets provided companionship and comfort throughout her life’s ups and downs.

Physical Beauty and the “Elizabeth Taylor Look”

Her Legendary Features

Elizabeth’s beauty was truly extraordinary and set her apart even in an industry full of beautiful people:

Violet Eyes – Her most famous feature. While actually a shade of deep blue, her eyes often appeared violet depending on lighting and makeup, creating an almost supernatural effect.

Double Row of Eyelashes – Elizabeth had a rare genetic mutation called distichiasis that gave her a double row of eyelashes, making her eyes even more striking.

Perfect Bone Structure – Her face had classical proportions that photographed beautifully from any angle.

Porcelain Skin – Her complexion was famously flawless, enhanced by Technicolor that captured her coloring perfectly.

Dark Hair – Her raven-black hair provided stunning contrast to her pale skin and light eyes.

Makeup and Beauty Influence

Elizabeth was famous for her makeup application, particularly her emphasis on eyes. She used dark eyeliner, multiple coats of mascara, and often drew on extra eyeliner to make her eyes appear even larger and more dramatic.

Her beauty routine influenced generations of women. Makeup artists studied her face and techniques, and her looks have been recreated countless times. The “Elizabeth Taylor eye” remains a classic makeup style taught in beauty schools and featured in fashion magazines.

Weight Struggles

Elizabeth’s weight fluctuated significantly throughout her adult life, which was constantly scrutinized by media and public. During her marriage to John Warner in the late 1970s and early 1980s, she gained considerable weight, which brought cruel media commentary.

Her openness about her weight struggles in her book “Elizabeth Takes Off” helped humanize her and made weight management a more acceptable topic of public discussion. She acknowledged that her weight gain was related to unhappiness, medication, and lack of physical activity due to injuries.

Elizabeth Taylor Professional Relationships and Friendships

Montgomery Clift

Elizabeth’s friendship with Montgomery Clift was one of the most important of her life. They met on “A Place in the Sun” and formed an immediate bond. Elizabeth understood and accepted Clift’s struggles with his sexuality and addiction in an era when both were heavily stigmatized.

When Clift was horribly injured in a car accident after leaving a party at Elizabeth’s house in 1956, she rushed to the scene and reportedly saved his life by clearing his airway. She remained devoted to him until his death in 1966, defending him against industry criticism and ensuring he continued to get work despite his declining health.

Rock Hudson

Rock Hudson was another close friend whose death from AIDS in 1985 transformed Elizabeth’s life. Hudson’s public acknowledgment of his AIDS diagnosis and subsequent death shocked the world and motivated Elizabeth to throw herself into AIDS activism.

Their friendship, built during the filming of “Giant,” lasted decades. Hudson’s death personalized the AIDS crisis for Elizabeth and made her determined to fight the stigma and raise funds for research.

Roddy McDowall

British actor Roddy McDowall was perhaps Elizabeth’s longest-lasting friendship in Hollywood. They met as child actors on “Lassie Come Home” and remained close until his death in 1998. McDowall was a trusted confidant who understood Elizabeth’s world completely, having grown up in the same studio system.

Frequently Asked Questions About Elizabeth Taylor

Conclusion

Elizabeth Rosemond Taylor was more than just a beautiful actress or a scandalous celebrity—she was a complex, multifaceted woman who lived a life of extraordinary highs and lows, all played out under the glare of public scrutiny. From child star to teenage sensation, from glamorous film goddess to humanitarian hero, she evolved continuously throughout her 79 years.

Her film career, particularly her work in the 1950s and 1960s, produced performances that remain benchmarks of screen acting. Her beauty became legendary, inspiring artists, photographers, and ordinary people for generations. Her personal life, with its eight marriages and dramatic relationships, fascinated the public and helped create modern celebrity culture.

But perhaps her most important legacy is her humanitarian work. By using her immense fame to fight AIDS stigma and raise research funding, she undoubtedly saved lives and advanced treatment for a disease that was killing thousands while society largely looked away. Her courage in confronting AIDS when other celebrities feared association with it demonstrated moral bravery that matched her physical beauty.

Elizabeth Taylor lived fully, loved passionately, worked professionally, and gave generously. She refused to apologize for her choices or live by others’ expectations. She transformed herself from child star to serious actress, from fading celebrity to successful businesswoman, from scandal magnet to respected humanitarian.

When she died in 2011, the world lost one of the last true legends of Hollywood’s Golden Age—a woman whose beauty, talent, tumultuous personal life, and compassionate activism created a legacy that continues to captivate and inspire. Her films remain classics, her beauty remains an ideal, her jewelry collection remains legendary, and her AIDS foundation continues saving lives.

Dame Elizabeth Taylor proved that life, like the movies, is ultimately about how you play your role. And she played hers magnificently, on her own terms, until the very end. As she once said, “I’ve been through it all, baby, I’m mother courage.” Indeed she was one of a kind, irreplaceable, unforgettable.