Larry King Live

After rumours surrounding Elizabeth’s health had circulated in the tabloid press, including that was suffering from early Alzheimer’s and was on death’s door, she sat for her first TV interview in three years on CNN’s Larry King Live on May 30, 2006, to set the record straight.

“I think they’re trying to sell magazines, and the only way they can do it is by being dirty,” she said by way of explanation for the untrue gossip. She added that there’s “some audience out there, and don’t ask me who they are, but there are millions, [who] like scandal. They like filth. And if they want to hear that I’m dead, sorry, folks, I’m not. And I don’t plan on it.”

In fact, she was keeping busy designing jewelry for her new business venture, House of Taylor Jewelry, a publicly traded company. She brought with her, and was wearing, House of Taylor Jewelry and several pieces from her personal collection that had served as inspiration. When Larry asked whether one of the House of Taylor designs was costume jewelry, Elizabeth feigned indignation. “Wait a minute, these are diamonds?” he asked. “You bet your ass they are!” she replied, laughing. Her business partner, Kathy Ireland, briefly joined the conversation by phone. Ireland shared that “it’s a dream come true, to be mentored by this woman. And she’s so giving and so gracious”.

This marked Elizabeth’s fourth and final appearance on Larry King Live. She had been invited to attend the taping of the long-running show’s final episode in 2010, but sent her regrets in a heartfelt message on her signature light blue notecard, which King later had framed.

‍“I am so very sorry not to be able to be there this last historic night to celebrate with you your long and illustrious tenure as King of the Airwaves.

“I am sure I am one of many, many interviewees, who, exhausted from explaining themselves, their actions, their projects, their loves, heaved a sigh of relief knowing that they were coming to talk to you. Talking to you was like a late night chat with a friend.

“It thrills me to think that you are going on to a long luxurious retirement. Our loss is your family’s gain.”

The following year, after Elizabeth’s death, King praised her as the last of the truly great stars and as an interview subject, saying that “she was a great interview because she gave you what you wanted. She knew how to respond.”

“We’ll never see her likes again,” he added. “Never.”