Elizabeth Taylor Actress Date of Birth: 27.02.1932 Country: Great Britain

Biography of Elizabeth Taylor

Elizabeth Taylor is known as one of the most scandalous actresses in Hollywood history. Throughout the second half of the 20th century, she was constantly in the spotlight, with numerous love affairs, multiple marriages, on-set scandals, alcohol and drug addiction, and frequent illnesses. She was born on February 27, 1932, in London, to American actor parents. When World War II broke out, her family returned to the United States and settled in Beverly Hills. Her father opened an art gallery, while her mother unsuccessfully pursued an acting career.

Taylor's unusual beauty was evident from a young age. With her jet-black hair and purple-toned eyes, she stood out. Additionally, she was born with a genetic condition called double row of eyelashes, which made her eyes even more captivating. It was no surprise that Taylor caught the attention of film producers, and at the age of 9, she made her film debut in "There's One Born Every Minute" (1942). She quickly developed a taste for fame and decided to pursue a career in acting.

In 1943, with her parents' consent, Taylor signed a contract with the influential studio MGM. She gained recognition from both audiences and critics for her performances in films such as "National Velvet" (1944), "Courage of Lassie" (1946), "Jane Eyre" (1943), and "Little Women" (1949). In the film "Love Finds Andy Hardy" (1948), Taylor's transformation from a young girl to a beautiful woman became evident. Directors immediately sought her, and in 1949, she played her first "adult" role in the film "Conspirator". This marked the beginning of her rapid rise to success in Hollywood.

By the age of 18, Taylor had not only gained the recognition of critics but also captured the public's attention. She found herself in several scandalous romances, constantly followed by the press. In 1950, Taylor announced that her wild days were over and married millionaire Nicky Hilton. Despite his efforts to care for her, the marriage lasted only a year. Her second marriage, to British actor Michael Wilding, lasted five years and produced two sons. Taylor's dedication to her career took a toll on her family life, leading to their divorce. Shortly after, Taylor married producer Mike Todd. According to her, Todd and Richard Burton were the only two men she truly loved. Tragically, Todd died in a plane crash shortly after giving Taylor a plane named "The Lucky Liz". Meanwhile, Elizabeth Taylor had already become a Hollywood superstar.

In 1960, Taylor won her first Academy Award for her role as a prostitute in "BUtterfield 8". However, this award was not without controversy. Initially refusing to play a woman of loose morals, Taylor only signed the contract after being promised the leading role in the film "Cleopatra" (1963). She created chaos on set, frequently trying to disrupt filming. Despite her hatred for the role and the film as a whole, the Academy awarded her the Oscar, sparking protests and doubts about the fairness of the judging.

It is said that Taylor received the Oscar not for her acting skills but for her fight against a life-threatening case of pneumonia. Given her fragile health, this theory does not seem far-fetched. Throughout her life, Taylor experienced numerous health issues, having been hospitalized 75 times and undergoing over 20 surgeries. She suffered spine injuries, twice damaged her right eye, experienced two clinical deaths and four instances of respiratory failure, was paralyzed, and broke her legs multiple times. Any illness she had turned into malignant tumors, and her life hung by a thread on several occasions. The medical community even coined the term "Elizabeth Taylor syndrome" to describe her medical history.

Taylor reached the pinnacle of her fame by playing Cleopatra in the eponymous historical film. She became the first actress to earn a million-dollar paycheck and was the highest-paid actress of her time. During the filming of "Cleopatra," Taylor began a passionate love affair with actor Richard Burton. What started as a brief affair quickly turned into a deep love, leading to their marriage in 1964. Their union coincided with a time of sexual liberation and became a symbol of the sexual revolution. The Vatican was shocked by their explicit behavior, and the U.S. Congress even considered denying them entry visas. Yet, their relationship was built on true love. Despite divorcing after ten years, Taylor and Burton remarried in 1975, realizing that they could not live without each other. However, their reunion may have been self-deception, as both were dealing with alcohol addiction and lived in a haze. When Taylor finally realized that her relationship with Burton had run its course, she left her fifth husband. Alcohol and drug addiction ultimately took a toll on Taylor's acting career. Films featuring her became less profitable, and by the age of 45, she practically retired from filmmaking. Her final great performance was in the film "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" (1966), where she starred alongside Richard Burton. This iconic duo ensured the film's incredible success, and Taylor received her second Academy Award for her portrayal of Martha.

Taylor went on to marry two more times. After divorcing Burton, she married Senator John Warner. Although she claimed to love him, she found their marriage incredibly dull. They separated, and Taylor checked into the Betty Ford Center to overcome her drug addiction. It was there that she met construction worker Larry Fortensky, who charmed her from the moment they met. In 1991, Elizabeth and Larry got married, and while celebrating their honeymoon on the shores of the Pacific Ocean, Taylor declared that she was happier than ever and starting a new life free from drugs and alcohol. Unfortunately, this marriage also ended in divorce. In 1996, Taylor parted ways with Larry, and a year later, she underwent a complex brain tumor surgery.

Illnesses plagued Taylor until her final days. In 2001, she delighted her fans by appearing in the film "These Old Broads". This marked her last on-screen appearance. Taylor managed to overcome skin cancer and a brain tumor, but on March 23, 2011, her heart, worn out by love and suffering, stopped beating. She lived an incredibly eventful and fulfilling life, becoming a symbol of 1950s and 1960s Hollywood. The magazine "Empire" named Elizabeth Taylor one of the most intriguing personalities of all time.