The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

On February 21, 1992, less than a week before her 60th birthday, Elizabeth made her first and only appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. “I cannot think offhand of another international personality who has sparked the intense public fascination as my first guest,” Carson said as he introduced Elizabeth. Asked why that fascination had endured so long, Elizabeth replied: “I don’t know. I think perhaps it’s because I am a survivor. I’m like a living example of what people can go through and survive. I’ve had the lowest valleys, the highest highs. I’ve had a lot of tragedy in my life. I’ve had addictions, I’ve had weight problems. I’ve had extreme happiness. That’s why it’s kind of a miracle that I am actually going to be 60!” Then, with her characteristic sense of humour, she added: “I’ve almost died a couple of times. I’ve read my own obituaries... they were the best reviews I ever had!”

The late-night legend was a few months from wrapping up his tenure as host of The Tonight Show, and Elizabeth wanted to drop by NBC Studios in Burbank, California to help give him a proper send-off. “I’m not plugging anything, I have nothing to sell, I really wanted to come on the show and thank you for thirty years of brilliant entertainment,” she said.