Elizabeth Taylor – Biography, Movies, Marriages and Iconic Eyes
Dame Elizabeth Rosemond Taylor was born in London on February 27, 1932, to American parents who soon moved the family to Los Angeles. By the time she was a teenager, she had become a star in National Velvet and would go on to define classic Hollywood. Known for her violet eyes, turbulent marriages, and two Academy Awards, she remained a fixture of public life for decades through her acting, activism, and business ventures.
Taylor died on March 23, 2011, in Los Angeles at age 79 from congestive heart failure. Her legacy as a film icon, humanitarian, and entrepreneur endures, with her estate still managing her brand and charitable foundations.
What Were Elizabeth Taylor’s Most Famous Movies?
| 🎬 Famous For | Classic Hollywood actress, 2× Oscar winner |
| 💍 Marriages | 8 times to 7 men (incl. Richard Burton twice) |
| 👁️ Eye Color | Violet / very dark blue (rare genetic trait) |
| 👶 Children | 4 (3 biological, 1 adopted) |
Key Insights
- Elizabeth Taylor redefined the modern celebrity brand, leveraging fame into a successful business empire (perfume/jewelry) long before it was common practice.
- Her friendship with Michael Jackson was a significant cultural curiosity due to their age difference and shared experiences with public scrutiny.
- Despite 8 marriages, she characterized her relationship with Richard Burton as the love of her life.
- Her violet eyes were caused by a rare genetic mutation and a double row of eyelashes.
- She co-founded the American Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR) in 1985 and founded the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation in 1991.
Snapshot Facts
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Dame Elizabeth Rosemond Taylor |
| Born/Died | Feb 27, 1932 – Mar 23, 2011 |
| Nationality | British-American |
| Academy Awards | 2 (Butterfield 8, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?) |
| Spouses | 7 (including Conrad Hilton, Michael Wilding, Richard Burton) |
| Famous Fragrance | White Diamonds (1991) |
| Cause of Death | Congestive heart failure |
Who Was Elizabeth Taylor Married To?
Taylor was married eight times to seven men. Her husbands were Conrad Hilton Jr., Michael Wilding, Mike Todd, Eddie Fisher, Richard Burton (twice), John Warner, and Larry Fortensky. Her most famous marriage was to Richard Burton, whom she married in 1964 and again in 1975 after a divorce.
How Many Times Did Elizabeth Taylor Marry?
She married eight times in total. The longest marriage was to John Warner from 1976 to 1982, and the shortest to Conrad Hilton Jr. in 1950, which lasted less than a year.
Who Was Richard Burton to Elizabeth Taylor?
Richard Burton was the Welsh actor she married twice. They met on the set of Cleopatra in 1963 and became one of Hollywood’s most famous couples. She later said he was the love of her life.
Despite the number of marriages, Taylor remained close friends with several ex-husbands. She and Burton continued to act together after their second divorce.
What Color Were Elizabeth Taylor’s Eyes?
Taylor’s eyes were a very dark blue with a violet hue, often appearing purple in certain lighting and makeup. This striking color was caused by a rare genetic mutation and a double row of eyelashes, a condition called distichiasis.
Did Elizabeth Taylor Have Violet Eyes?
Although many sources describe her eyes as violet, physiologically true violet irises are extremely rare. The consensus among experts is that her eyes were a deep blue that gave a violet impression.
The double row of eyelashes made her eyes appear larger and more luminous on screen, contributing to her iconic beauty.
What Is the Elizabeth Taylor Perfume Called?
Taylor launched the fragrance White Diamonds in 1991. It became one of the best-selling celebrity perfumes of all time, generating hundreds of millions in revenue. She also developed other fragrances and built a successful business around her name.
Does Elizabeth Taylor White Diamonds Still Sell?
Yes, White Diamonds remains available at major retailers and continues to sell well years after her death.
How Many Children Did Elizabeth Taylor Have?
She had four children: Michael Jr. (with Michael Wilding), Christopher (with Michael Wilding), Liza (with Mike Todd), and Maria (adopted). Some sources note three biological and one adopted daughter.
Taylor did not have a biological child with Richard Burton, though she had a highly publicized miscarriage during their marriage.
Key Milestones in Elizabeth Taylor’s Life
- 1932 – Born in London
- 1942 – Film debut: There’s One Born Every Minute
- 1944 – Breakthrough: National Velvet
- 1960 – First Oscar: Butterfield 8
- 1963 – Cleopatra / Marriage to Richard Burton
- 1967 – Second Oscar: Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
- 1985 – Introduced White Diamonds perfume
- 1993 – Received Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award
- 2000 – Made a Dame by Queen Elizabeth II
- 2011 – Passed away from heart failure
What Is Certain and Uncertain About Elizabeth Taylor’s Eyes and Friendships?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Her eyes were a very dark blue with a violet hue, caused by a genetic mutation and double eyelashes. | Whether her eyes were truly “violet” or just appeared so due to lighting and makeup. |
| She was very close friends with Michael Jackson and served as a godparent to his children. | No romantic involvement was ever substantiated, but some speculation persists in tabloid history. |
How Did Elizabeth Taylor Build a Business Empire?
While Taylor was best known as a sex symbol and actress, she demonstrated sharp business acumen. She licensed her name to the White Diamonds fragrance line, which generated hundreds of millions in revenue. She also amassed a major jewelry collection that became part of her glamour brand. Her estate continues to be managed under the House of Taylor umbrella.
Her activism was equally significant. She helped raise more than $100 million for AIDS research and co-founded the American Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR) in 1985. The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation, established in 1991, continues her work.
What Did Elizabeth Taylor and Others Say About Her?
“I’m not a snob. Ask anybody. I’m a people person.” – Elizabeth Taylor, via Britannica
“Big girls need big diamonds.” – Elizabeth Taylor, via her estate
“She is a woman of extraordinary beauty, but it is not merely the beauty of feature. It is the beauty of the spirit.” – Richard Burton on Taylor
What Is Elizabeth Taylor’s Lasting Legacy?
Elizabeth Taylor is remembered as a symbol of Hollywood glamour, a two-time Oscar winner, and one of the most recognizable stars of the 20th century. Her influence extends beyond film to humanitarian work and public advocacy for AIDS awareness. She converted to Judaism in 1959 and remained a major public figure long after her peak film career.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Elizabeth Taylor sing?
Yes, she occasionally sang in films (e.g., The Night of the Iguana). She also recorded a spoken-word album and sang in the musical film A Little Night Music.
Why is Elizabeth Taylor called a Dame?
She was appointed a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 2000 by Queen Elizabeth II for her services to entertainment and humanitarian work, specifically her AIDS activism.
What illness did Elizabeth Taylor suffer from?
She suffered from numerous health issues including a severe back injury, scoliosis, diverticulitis, and a benign brain tumor. She later died from congestive heart failure.
How many Oscars did Elizabeth Taylor win?
She won two Academy Awards for Best Actress: Butterfield 8 (1960) and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966).
Did Elizabeth Taylor adopt children?
Yes, she adopted one daughter, Maria, who was born in Germany. She also had three biological children.
Was Elizabeth Taylor knighted?
No, she was knighted as a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire, which is the female equivalent of a knighthood.
What was Elizabeth Taylor’s net worth at death?
Reliable figures are not available from authoritative sources, but her estate was estimated to be worth tens of millions, including her jewelry and perfume royalties.
Did Elizabeth Taylor have a relationship with Michael Jackson?
They were very close friends. Taylor defended Jackson publicly and was a godparent to his children. No romantic relationship was ever substantiated.
What was Elizabeth Taylor’s first movie?
Her film debut was a small role in There’s One Born Every Minute (1942).
Did Elizabeth Taylor win an Oscar for Cleopatra?
No, she did not win an Oscar for Cleopatra. The film was a commercial success but received mixed reviews.
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