Elizabeth Taylor Bio, Age, Spouses, Children, Movies, Net Worth

Elizabeth Taylor Biography

What is Elizabeth Taylor most famous for? | Who was Elizabeth Taylor?

Elizabeth Rosemond Taylor (February 27, 1932 – March 23, 2011) was a Hollywood Actress, celebrated for her beauty, talent, and bold spirit. She started acting as a child, debuting in There’s One Born Every Minute (1942).

Her breakout role came in National Velvet (1944), which launched her stardom at age 12. She flourished through the 1950s and 1960s in films like A Place in the Sun, Giant, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, and Cleopatra.

Taylor won two Academy Awards for Best Actress: one for Butterfield 8 (1960) and another for Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966). She became one of the world’s highest paid stars and negotiated an unprecedented contract for Cleopatra.

She attracted global media attention for her eight marriages, including two with Richard Burton, and her famed collection of jewels. Beyond films, she emerged as a leading AIDS activist, co-founding amfAR and starting the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation.

Taylor also succeeded as a businesswoman, launching a perfume line and negotiating for fair pay. She earned honors for philanthropy, including the Presidential Citizens Medal and a British damehood.

In 2011, she died of congestive heart failure in Los Angeles at age 79. Her legacy blends cinematic brilliance, humanitarian passion, and a life lived boldly under the spotlight.

Elizabeth Taylor Age at Death and Legacy

Elizabeth Taylor was born on February 27, 1932, in London. She became a global Hollywood icon admired for her remarkable talent. She passed away on March 23, 2011, at the age of 79. Throughout her decades-long career, she gained worldwide recognition. Moreover, her age at death marked the end of an era in classic cinema, but her legacy continues inspiring film lovers globally.

Elizabeth Taylor Height and Timeless Hollywood Presence

Elizabeth Taylor’s height was 5 feet 2 inches (157 cm). Despite her petite stature, she possessed immense screen presence and charisma. Her striking violet eyes and graceful poise elevated her beauty. Moreover, her height never limited her roles in Hollywood. She commanded attention in classics like Cleopatra and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Taylor’s height and charm contributed greatly to her enduring star power and legendary status.

Elizabeth Taylor Spouses | Husbands

Elizabeth Taylor married eight times to seven husbands, making her romantic journey one of Hollywood’s most famous stories. Her spouses included Conrad Hilton Jr., Michael Wilding, Mike Todd, Eddie Fisher, Richard Burton (twice), John Warner, and Larry Fortensky. Richard Burton was her most iconic partner, with their passionate relationship capturing global attention. Despite her many marriages, Taylor always pursued love with intensity. Her unions reflected both challenges and triumphs, leaving behind a remarkable and enduring legacy in love and Hollywood history.

Elizabeth Taylor Children: Michael, Christopher, Liza & Maria

Elizabeth Taylor had four children: Michael Wilding Jr., Christopher Wilding, Liza Todd, and Maria Burton. Her first two sons, Michael and Christopher, were born during her marriage to actor Michael Wilding. In 1957, she welcomed daughter Liza with producer Mike Todd. Later, she adopted Maria during her marriage to Richard Burton. Taylor cherished her role as a mother, often calling her children her “best friends” and proudest accomplishment.

Today, her children lead fulfilling lives:

• Michael Wilding Jr. is a sculptor based in Santa Fe. He has three children, all active in the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation (ETAF), continuing their grandmother’s philanthropic legacy.
• Christopher Wilding worked in film sound editing and now lives in California. He has two sons, Caleb and Andrew, born in 1983 and 1984, respectively.
• Liza Todd is a sculptor known for equine art and resides in upstate New York. She has two sons, including Quinn Tivey, a key figure in ETAF.
• Maria Burton is largely private but has two children, one of whom also supports ETAF as an ambassador.

Despite their mother’s fame, Elizabeth Taylor’s children have remained close-knit and dedicated to preserving her impactful legacy through philanthropic and family-led initiatives.

Elizabeth Taylor’s Grandchildren: Meet Her 10 Grandkids

Elizabeth Taylor had ten grandchildren, each carrying forward her legacy in unique ways. Her grandchildren include:

• Laela Wilding
• Naomi deLuce Wilding
• Tarquin Wilding
• Caleb Wilding
• Andrew Wilding
• Quinn Tivey
• Rhys Tivey
• Eliza Carson
• Lowell Wilding
• Richard McKeown

Many of them are actively involved in the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation (ETAF), continuing her humanitarian work. They also participate in events like the Elizabeth Taylor Ball to End AIDS, honoring her commitment to activism. Despite their fame, they cherish close family bonds and often share memories of their grandmother’s warmth and generosity. Their involvement ensures that Elizabeth Taylor’s legacy endures through future generations.

Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton

Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton’s relationship captivated the world. They met during the filming of Cleopatra in 1962, both married to others at the time. Their affair led to widespread media attention and public scrutiny. Despite the controversy, they married on March 15, 1964, in Montreal. Their union was intense and passionate, often described as the “marriage of the century.” However, their relationship faced challenges, leading to their first divorce in 1974. They remarried in 1975 but divorced again in 1976. Despite the separations, they remained close friends until Burton’s death in 1984. Taylor later described him as the love of her life.

Elizabeth Taylor Movies: Top Films and Career Highlights

Elizabeth Taylor was a legendary actress whose film career spanned over six decades. She starred in numerous iconic films that showcased her exceptional talent and beauty. Some of her most notable movies include:

• National Velvet (1944)
• A Place in the Sun (1951)
• Giant (1956)
• Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958)
• BUtterfield 8 (1960)
• Cleopatra (1963)
• Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966)
• The Sandpiper (1965)
• The Taming of the Shrew (1967)

In BUtterfield 8, she won her first Academy Award for Best Actress. Her role in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? earned her a second Oscar. Taylor’s performances in these films solidified her status as one of Hollywood’s greatest actresses. Her legacy continues to inspire audiences and filmmakers alike.

Elizabeth Taylor’s Eyes: The Iconic Violet Gaze That Defined Hollywood Glamour

Elizabeth Taylor’s eyes were one of her most captivating features. While often described as violet, they were actually a rare shade of blue. This unique color resulted from her high melanin levels and the way light scattered in her irises. Her eyes appeared more violet under certain lighting conditions and when she wore specific colors. Additionally, Taylor had distichiasis, a condition that caused an extra row of eyelashes, enhancing the allure of her gaze. Her eye color became so iconic that it inspired the fragrance Violet Eyes by Elizabeth Taylor. This perfume, launched in 2010, captures the essence of her unforgettable eye color with notes of white peach, jasmine, purple rose, peony, cedar, and amber.

Taylor’s eyes were often complemented by her makeup choices. She frequently used blue or purple eyeshadow to enhance their natural hue. This makeup technique, combined with her distinctive eye color, contributed to her legendary beauty and enduring legacy in Hollywood.

Elizabeth Taylor Perfume: Iconic Fragrances and Legacy

Elizabeth Taylor’s perfume line is renowned for its timeless elegance and enduring popularity. She launched her first fragrance, Passion, in 1987, marking the beginning of her successful venture into the world of scents. However, it was White Diamonds, introduced in 1991, that became a monumental success, earning over $1.5 billion in sales by 2018.

Following White Diamonds, Taylor released several other fragrances, including Sparkling White Diamonds (1999), Brilliant White Diamonds (2001), and White Diamonds Legacy (2021). In 2010, she introduced Violet Eyes, inspired by her iconic violet-colored eyes, featuring notes of white peach, jasmine, purple rose, peony, cedar, and amber.

Taylor’s fragrances have left a lasting impact on the perfume industry, setting a precedent for celebrity-endorsed scents and continuing to captivate audiences worldwide.

Elizabeth Taylor Death: Cause of Death

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. Her death marked the end of an era for Hollywood’s golden age. Beyond her acting legacy, Taylor was a passionate advocate for HIV/AIDS awareness and founded the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation. Her philanthropic efforts continue to inspire and impact lives worldwide.

Elizabeth Taylor & Taylor Swift Lyrics

Taylor Swift references Elizabeth Taylor in her song lyrics to evoke glamour, fame, and romantic intensity. For example, in “…Ready for It?” she sings: “He can be my jailer / Burton to this Taylor.”

More recently, Swift released a track simply titled “Elizabeth Taylor” on The Life of a Showgirl. In the chorus, she sings, “Tell me for real, do you think it’s forever?” echoing Taylor’s own public search for lasting love.

Moreover, Swift mentions White Diamonds, Taylor’s famous perfume, weaving it into her imagery of lasting love and the pressures of fame. Through these lyrical nods, Swift links her own celebrity experiences to Taylor’s dramatic life, creating emotional and symbolic connections between their stories.

Elizabeth Taylor Net Worth at Death: Fortune Summary & Legacy

How much money did Elizabeth Taylor leave when she died?

Elizabeth Taylor’s net worth at her death in 2011 is widely estimated at $600 million. Some sources suggest her estate’s value may have approached $1 billion, depending on assets and jewelry. She built her wealth through film roles, business ventures, and her perfume brand White Diamonds. After her death, her legendary jewelry collection alone fetched over $115 million at auction. Her fortune continues supporting her philanthropic legacy, especially via the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation.