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| Elizabeth Taylor (February 27 1932 - March 23 2011) |
AFTER months of medical treatment, the fantastic and hugely popular Hollywood actress Dame Elizabeth Taylor has died. She passed away, surrounded by her four children from congestive heart failure on Wednesday morning. The British-born icon died in Los Angeles, aged 79.
Often regarded by many as one of the greatest ever movie stars to have graced Hollywood, Elizabeth’s numerous marriages, countless divorces and love for diamonds had the world captivated for over half a century. Born in London, her family moved to America when she was only seven years of age, and this is where the great love affair stateside began.
Just five years later, Elizabeth’s glamorous look had won her a film contract and made her become a household name. National Velvet was the first movie she starred in, as a budding teenage show jumper way back in 1944. More films followed, but it was her appearance alongside fellow screen legend Paul Newman in the film ‘Cat on a Hot Tin Roof’ that really turned her from national hit into global superstar.
Acting was important, but off-screen, Elizabeth’s complicated romances had already begun. Having already experienced two broken engagements, she married for the first time at 18, to hotel owner Conrad Hilton jnr. The marriage only lasted a year, and was to be the start of a familiar pathway. Actor Michael Wilding was her second marriage, which was more successful. They were hitched for five years and he gave Elizabeth the first two of her four children. Film producer Mike Todd was husband no.3, providing Elizabeth with a third child. Todd was killed in a plane crash, leaving the young Taylor a paled widow at the just 26.
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| STARRING: Elizabeth's role in Cleopatra was her greatest moment |
Elizabeth’s desire to be happy was starting to become over-excessive and there was little support when just a year after Todd’s death, she ran off with husband of her best friend Debbie Reynolds, Eddie Fisher. Her golden hour came in 1962, when she landed the mega part of Queen of the Nile, Cleopatra in ‘Cleopatra,’ one of the greatest movies of a all-time. Off-camera, she had found love in Richard Burton. It would be the start of a very tempestuous relationship. Fifteen years of drama, heavy drinking, stormy rows and ultimately, two marriages. Together, Taylor and Burton appeared in ten films together, with Taylor’s role in ‘Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?’ winning her a second Oscar in 1967.
By the time Burton and Taylor divorced for a second time in 1976, Elizabeth’s glamorous lifestyle was started to get affected. She suffered from chronic back problems, struggled to control her weight and continued to drink excessively. When her good friend Rock Hudson died from AIDS in 1985, Elizabeth took up a new and unexpected role. She founded the American Foundation for AIDS research, which allowed Taylor to promote and heighten the awareness of the little-known disease. As her own health deteriorated, Elizabeth checked herself into the Betty Ford Treatment Centre. Having battled with drink and drugs for several years, it was a reality check for Taylor; face death, or get cleaned up.
It was whilst recovering that she embarked on an eighth marriage, this time to fellow addict Larry Fortensky. They married in 1991, but it ended five years later, like most of the other marriages; in divorce. In 2000, Elizabeth was made a Dame for her services to acting and her immensely successful charity work. She admitted afterwards that it was ‘the crowning achievement of her career.’
As her ill health continued to plague her, public appearances became less frequent. Apart from a brief guest role on The Simpsons, AIDS funded events were the only occasions that Elizabeth could be seen for the cameras. She struck up a very close and personal friendship with the singer Michael Jackson and was devastated by Jackson’s death in the summer of 2009. A month later, Elizabeth underwent heart surgery and recently, was admitted back to hospital due to her delicate condition last month.
To the end, Elizabeth Taylor retained her magic and glamour. A turbulent personal life in the public spotlight, combined with a history of poor health and ultimately, a very successful acting career, she touched the lives of many. Her death is a shock to many and although her loss to the film and acting world is a masterpiece of understatement, her legacy will remain forever.
RIP Elizabeth Taylor (February 27 1932 – March 23 2011)
