The
Elizabeth Taylor Archives
The Woman
One of the most decorated women in history, Elizabeth was recognized not only for the women she brought vividly to life on screen, but also for her iconic fragrances, courageous AIDS activism, and other humanitarian efforts.
Elizabeth became an author at just thirteen years old in 1946, when she penned Nibbles and Me, a chronicle of her adventures with her pet chipmunk, and went on to write three more books. Learn more about each of them!
From the colour of her fabled eyes to how many children she had and how much money she raised for the fight against AIDS, get answers to some frequently asked questions about Elizabeth Taylor.
The Actress
“More than anyone else I can think of,” wrote New York Times film critic Vincent Canby, “Elizabeth Taylor represents the complete movie phenomenon – what movies are as an art and an industry, and what they have meant to those of us who have grown up watching them in the dark.” From her time under contract to MGM to her years as a free agent, Elizabeth made more than fifty films over her dazzling career. Learn more about each of them.
After conquering Hollywood, Elizabeth turned her sights to a new acting challenge: the stage. She became the toast of Broadway with her serious stage debut (she had previously performed in a poetry recital and a non-speaking role) in The Little Foxes, and drew enormous audiences when she reunited with Richard Burton onstage. In 2007, the cause closest to her heart would bring her back for one final performance. Grab a front-row seat as we take a look back at Elizabeth’s stage appearances over the years.
It was a major event any time Elizabeth Taylor appeared on the small screen! She graced award shows and was a guest on both daytime and late-night talk shows. There were also rare forays into episodic TV, such as when she famously placed a curse on General Hospital’s Luke and Laura during her iconic stint on the legendary soap opera, and voiced baby Maggie’s first word on The Simpsons. Explore Elizabeth’s TV appearances over the decades.
Elizabeth complemented her dazzling theatrical film resume with a handful of movies made for television. She brought to life an array of women, ranging from a lonely professor (Return Engagement) and a newly-divorced woman, who, through an unlikely friendship, is finally able to face the future, in HBO’s first TV movie (Between Friends), as well as the odd faded movie queen thrown in for good measure (“I’m a great success at playing has-beens,” she joked).
The Activist
Elizabeth Taylor remains a shining example of how the power of celebrity can leave the world a better place. By taking a stand when so few were willing and ignoring threats made against her life, she used her platform to save an inestimable number of lives, helping to eradicate the stigma and ignorance surrounding HIV/AIDS.
The Businesswoman
No celebrity fragrance before, and few since, has had the tremendous staying power of Elizabeth Taylor’s Passion, or especially its follow-up, White Diamonds, which went on to become the top-selling celebrity fragrance of all time—a record it still holds to this day.
Elizabeth took her love for jewelry to new heights in 1993 when she teamed up with Avon for the Elizabeth Taylor Fashion Jewelry Collection, a line of costume jewelry bearing her name. As with her fragrance empire, she was very hands-on in the design and marketing of the collection.
The Lifestyle
Everyone knows about Elizabeth Taylor’s love affair with jewelry. But it was a love affair that overshadowed another great passion—one for Impressionist and modern art. Lining the walls of her homes at one time or another—both on land and at sea—were works by Picasso, Utrillo, Degas, Rouault, Monet, Pissarro, Renoir, Mary Cassatt, Modigliani, Vlaminck, van Gogh, Matisse, Cézanne, Cassatt, Rembrandt, Erté, Frans Hals, and more. Get a glimpse of her impressive collection.
Away from the glare of the spotlight, Elizabeth Taylor’s homes reflected her personality—totally relaxed and unpretentious. They were designed for family, pets, and creating memories with the people she loved most. Take a peek inside some of the places Elizabeth called home.
Elizabeth amassed one of the world’s great private jewelry collections—believed to be second only to that of Queen Elizabeth II. Many were gifts from special people in her life, especially her two great loves, Mike Todd and Richard Burton. It boasted creations from the world’s great jewelry houses and designers, along with pieces of historical provenance such as the La Peregrina pearl, the Taj Mahal diamond, and many others. Go inside Elizabeth’s jewelry box.