Elizabeth Taylor: A Life Of Stardom And Resilience (1932-2011)

Elizabeth Taylor is not just a name; she is an icon. Known for her stunning violet eyes and remarkable acting talent, Taylor's life was as captivating as the roles she played on screen. Her journey through fame, love, and personal struggles provides valuable insights into resilience, the price of fame, and the importance of advocacy.

Who Was Elizabeth Taylor?

Elizabeth Taylor made her film debut in One Born Every Minute (1942) and achieved stardom with National Velvet (1944). Although she won Academy Awards for her work in Butterfield 8 (1960) and Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1965), Taylor was just as famous for her many marriages, extensive jewelry collection, and stunning violet eyes.

Early Life

Elizabeth Rosemond Taylor was born on February 27, 1932, in London, England. One of film's most celebrated stars, Taylor fashioned a career that spanned more than six decades, taking on roles that showcased her beauty and ability to portray emotionally charged characters.

Her American parents, both art dealers, were residing in London when she was born. Soon after the outbreak of World War II, the Taylors returned to the United States and settled into their new life in Los Angeles.

Performing was in Taylor's blood. Her mother had worked as an actress until she got married. At the age of 3, the young Taylor started dancing and eventually gave a recital for Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret. Not long after relocating to California, a family friend suggested the Taylors' daughter take a screen test.

Child Star

She soon signed a contract with Universal Studios and made her screen debut at the age of 10 in There's One Born Every Minute (1942). She followed that up with a bigger role in Lassie Come Home (1943) and later The White Cliffs of Dover (1944).

Her breakout role, however, came in 1944 with National Velvet, a role Taylor spent four months working to get. The film turned out to be a huge hit that pulled in more than $4 million and made the 12-year-old actress a star.

In the glare of the Hollywood spotlight, the young actress showed she was more than adept at handling celebrity's tricky terrain. Unlike many child stars before and after her, Taylor proved she could make a seamless transition to more adult roles.

Mainstream Success and Marriages

Her stunning looks helped. At just 18, she played opposite Spencer Tracy in Father of the Bride (1950). Taylor showcased her acting talents further in 1954 with three films: The Last Time I Saw Paris, Rhapsody, and Elephant Walk, the latter of which had her as a plantation owner's wife in love with the farm's manager.

Her personal life only boosted the success of her films. For a time, she dated millionaire Howard Hughes, then at the age of 17, Taylor made her first entrance into marriage when she wed hotel heir, Nicky Hilton.

The union didn't last long, and in 1952, Taylor was walking down the aisle again—this time to marry actor Michael Wilding. In all, Taylor married eight times during her life, twice to actor Richard Burton.

While her love life continued to make international headlines, Taylor continued to shine as an actress. She delivered a riveting performance in the drama A Place in the Sun, and turned things up even more in 1956 with the film adaptation of the Edna Ferber novel, Giant, that co-starred James Dean. Two years later, she sizzled on the big screen in the film adaptation of Tennessee Williams' Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.

Personal Life in the Spotlight

But Taylor's fame was also touched by tragedy and loss. In 1958, she became a young widow when her husband, pioneering film producer Mike Todd, was killed in a plane crash. After his death, Taylor became embroiled in one of the greatest Hollywood love scandals of the era when she began an affair with Todd's close friend, Eddie Fisher.

The public's obsession with Taylor's love life hit new heights with her 1964 marriage to Burton. She'd met and fallen in love with the actor during her work on Cleopatra (1963), a film that heightened Taylor's clout and fame, costing a staggering $37 million to make.

The Taylor-Burton union was a fiery and passionate one. They appeared onscreen together in the much-panned The V.I.P.'s (1963) and then again two years later for the acclaimed Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, a film that earned Taylor her second Oscar for her role as an angry wife of an alcoholic professor, played by Burton.

Later Years and Death

Still, Taylor continued to act. She found work on television, even making a guest appearance on General Hospital, and on stage. She also began focusing more on philanthropy. After her close friend Rock Hudson died in 1985 due to AIDS, she started working to find a cure for the disease.

In 1991, she launched the Elizabeth Taylor HIV/AIDS Foundation to support those affected by the disease and fund research for advanced treatments. Largely retired from acting, Taylor received numerous awards for her body of work, including the American Film Institute's Life Achievement Award in 1993.

Taylor faced various health problems throughout the 1990s, battling diabetes and congestive heart failure. In 2009, she underwent successful heart surgery. Sadly, she passed away on March 23, 2011, due to congestive heart failure. Shortly after her death, her son Michael Wilding released a statement highlighting her extraordinary life and lasting contributions.

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