Elizabeth Taylor Summary

"Let’s kick on." Elizabeth Taylor's own words remind us of her resilience and tenacity—qualities that defined both her dazzling career and her tempestuous, fascinating life.

1. From Childhood Prodigy to Global Phenomenon

Elizabeth Taylor's journey from an English-born child to one of Hollywood’s brightest stars was anything but easy. Born in 1932, she showed an early affinity for performance, fostered by her mother, Sara Taylor, who dreamed of Elizabeth becoming a star. When World War II forced the family to move to Los Angeles, Sara pursued this ambition relentlessly, introducing Elizabeth to Hollywood at an incredibly young age. By age ten, Taylor was already auditioning and securing contracts.

Her first film with Universal, There’s One Born Every Minute, failed to ignite her career, leading the studio to drop her. Yet Taylor's unyielding determination and a supportive family led her to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), where her breakthrough came with Lassie Come Home. Her success as a teenage star, particularly in 1944's National Velvet, marked her transition to household recognition. Despite her fame, her early years were hardly carefree. Constant studio control left her isolated and dreaming about freedoms she didn’t have.

Despite the struggles, Taylor's empathy and sensitivity flourished during these years. She formed lasting bonds with her co-stars and developed her deep connection with the LGBTQ+ community, a sentiment stemming from her early friendships with gay actors. This openness and acceptance made her truly unique in the world of 1940s Hollywood.

Examples

• Performed at a royal benefit event at just three-and-a-half years old.
• Played a crucial role in National Velvet, propelling her to fame.
• Befriended co-star Roddy McDowall, forming a lifelong connection.

2. A Pioneer in Acting Versatility

Taylor transitioned seamlessly from child star to serious actress, proving her versatility and talent. In the 1940s, she appeared in films like Jane Eyre and The White Cliffs of Dover, where critics began to notice her natural charm and ability. But it was her role in National Velvet that solidified her status as a rising star. While recognized for her beauty, Taylor was eager to showcase her range.

This determination bore fruit starting in the 1950s. Her captivating performance in Giant alongside James Dean and Rock Hudson garnered praise for her emotional depth. In Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1959), she earned an Academy Award nomination despite personal controversies. By the 1960s, her turn as Cleopatra in the eponymous film immortalized her as a Hollywood legend. Despite scandals surrounding this production, her portrayal exemplified her ability to dominate the screen with presence and charisma.

Taylor's role in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? in 1966 solidified her critical acclaim. Playing an unglamorous, volatile character transformed perceptions of her acting abilities, earning her a second Oscar. Through her tremendous variety of roles, Taylor proved that she was more than a beautiful face—she was an artist.

Examples

• Won her first Academy Award for BUtterfield 8 (1960).
• Catapulted into superstardom with Cleopatra, an epic but troubled production.
• Garnered critical praise for Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, winning her second Oscar.

3. Battling Lifelong Health Struggles

Taylor's life was marked by ongoing health battles that shaped her career and personal decisions. From scoliosis at birth to a back injury from horse-riding during National Velvet, she endured persistent pain. Despite her studio pressures, she often hid these ailments to maintain her image as a resilient Hollywood star.

Her health continued to decline with age. A serious eye injury in the mid-1950s led to surgeries and moments when she considered quitting acting altogether. Chronic pain from earlier injuries was amplified following a horse-riding accident in the 1970s. These various health issues contributed to struggles with addiction; Taylor became dependent on pills and alcohol, partly as a means to manage pain and stress.

Yet she was a fighter. She entered rehabilitation programs at the Betty Ford Center to regain control of her life. This determination made her not only a survivor but gave her a deep understanding of suffering, which later informed her charitable work.

Examples

• Suffered severe back pain from scoliosis and a filming injury.
• Required surgery for a rusty particle in her eye after an accident.
• Battled addiction and sought recovery at the Betty Ford Center twice.

4. Marriage, Scandal, and Personal Relationships

Taylor’s personal life often overshadowed her career. Married eight times to seven different men, her relationships became a source of public fascination and frequent scandal. From her high-profile romance with Richard Burton to her youthful unions, Taylor’s love life was tumultuous and headline-grabbing. Her relationship with Burton, born during the filming of Cleopatra, was both passionate and tempestuous.

Yet Taylor’s personal connections were not limited to romance. Her authentic empathy made people adore her. She was a devoted mother, balancing fame with caring for her children. Her deep friendships, particularly with members of the LGBTQ+ community, reveal a woman who valued loyalty and shared pain.

While critics and tabloids might have judged her choices, she seemed undeterred, going her own way, following her desires, and making amends where needed.

Examples

• Married Richard Burton twice despite their volatile relationship.
• Used her wedding photos to fund charity, founding the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation.
• Maintained strong friendships with LGBTQ+ figures like Rock Hudson.

5. Beauty and Style, Always on Her Own Terms

Taylor’s iconic style ensured her place in history as a timeless symbol of beauty and glamor. Known for her striking violet eyes and bold fashion statements, she influenced trends worldwide. Early in life, she cultivated a sense of elegance that paired her love of luxury with her independent spirit.

Jewelry was one of her greatest passions. Her husband Richard Burton often indulged this, gifting her legendary pieces like the Krupp diamond and La Peregrina pearl. This love was not just indulgence—it reflected her need to feel in control of her persona. Later, Taylor capitalized on her image by launching both a fine jewelry line and a perfume empire.

Despite her incredible wardrobe and glamor, Taylor exhibited a down-to-earth side. She refused to be buried with her collection, requesting instead that its sale benefit charity. True to herself in life, she continued to give even in death.

Examples

• Popularized the cat-eye makeup look, still emulated today.
• Owned some of the most valuable gems in the world, like the Cartier diamond.
• Raised $144 million for charity through a posthumous jewelry auction.

6. Advocating for AIDS Awareness

Elizabeth Taylor used her fame as a platform to fight stigma and raise awareness for AIDS at a time when few dared. Her activism began in the early 1980s when the disease decimated members of her social circle. Instead of retreating, Taylor worked tirelessly to educate the public and convince political leaders to act.

Her efforts included organizing the first major celebrity fundraiser for AIDS, raising over a million dollars. She also founded the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation to provide direct support to those affected. Her advocacy was ahead of its time, as public discourse on AIDS was still fraught with fear and discrimination.

Taylor’s determination to help others earned her immense respect. She was not just an ally of the LGBTQ+ community but a true champion of their rights.

Examples

• Personally lobbied President Reagan to take AIDS seriously.
• Founded the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation.
• Cared for friends like Rock Hudson as they battled the disease.

Takeaways

1. Use your platform to advocate for important causes, as Taylor did with AIDS awareness.
2. Embrace your unique identity and pursue your passions unapologetically, like Taylor with her jewelry and fashion sense.
3. Find strength in adversity and use your struggles as a way to empathize with others—let pain fuel compassion.