Larry King Live

On January 15, 2001, Elizabeth, sporting animal print and gold jewelry that complemented her attractive, newly auburn hair, made the second of her four appearances on CNN’s Larry King Live. (King incorrectly refers to this as her third appearance on the show, but he’s likely counting 1993’s Larry King TNT Extra: A Very Special Conversation with Elizabeth Taylor among them.)

“There are so many areas we’re going to cover,” says King at the top of their hour together. “We’re going to cover perfumes, and men, and films, and an extraordinary life.” Following her Buckingham Palace investiture the previous year, King made sure to address her as Dame Elizabeth. How does it feel to be a Dame? King asks. “Well, I’ve been a broad all my life,” she laughs, “and Dame just automatically came next.” She adds: “Oh god, I’ve never been so excited in my life.” The country of her birth wasn’t the only one showering honours on Elizabeth. Exactly one week earlier, United States President Bill Clinton had bestowed on her the Presidential Citizens Medal.

King asked Elizabeth about her hip surgeries, and she expressed sympathy to her friend, former President Reagan, who had just undergone one of his own after suffering a fall. King asks whether, because of all of the ill health she has suffered, she believes there’s a cloud hanging over her. Her response is characteristic of Elizabeth Taylor: “No, I don’t, because I’m still here.”

The two also chatted about Elizabeth’s upcoming TV movie, These Old Broads, which was slated to air on the small screen the following month. The film was written by Carrie Fisher and co-starred Shirley MacLaine, Joan Collins, and, of course, Debbie Reynolds. Elizabeth reveals the nickname she and Debbie coined for their mutual ex-husband, Eddie Fisher: Harry Hunter.

Towards the end of the program, a handful of lucky viewers were given the opportunity of a lifetime to ask Dame Elizabeth questions via telephone.