Elizabeth Taylor

Profession: Actress

Nationality:

Biography: Elizabeth Taylor is regarded as the epitome of a film star - for her beauty, glamorous lifestyle and for her acting. She came to fame as a child actress in the film "National Velvet" aged 12 before moving on to adult roles such as "A Place in the Sun" before she was 20. She was nominated for an Oscar 4 years in a row, winning for Butterfield 8 and also for "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf". She was the first actress to receive $1 million, for her role in "Cleopatra".

It was while making "Cleopatra" that she met Richard Burton and began her most famous and tempestuous relationship. They were to marry and divorce twice. In total Taylor married 8 times.

In later life Taylor was known for her support and fundraising for AIDS causes and was awarded the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award in 1993 for this. Taylor was famous for her love of jewels and her remarkable collection was the most valuable jewelry auction ever. Taylor was made a Dame of the British Empire in 2000.

Born: February 27, 1932
Birthplace: London, England

Generation: Silent Generation
Chinese Zodiac: Monkey
Star Sign: Pisces

Died: March 23, 2011 (aged 79)
Cause of Death: Heart failure

Married Life

1950-05-06 English-American actress Elizabeth Taylor (18) marries for the 1st time to American hotel heir Conrad "Nicky" Hilton (23); divorce in 1951
1951-01-29 English-American actress Elizabeth Taylor's 1st divorce from American hotel heir Conrad Hilton Jr. after nearly 9 months of marriage
1952-02-21 English-American actress Elizabeth Taylor (19) marries for the 2nd time to English actor Michael Wilding (39); divorce in 1957
1957-01-31 English-American actress Elizabeth Taylor's 2nd divorce from English actor Michael Wilding, after almost 5 years of marriage
1957-02-02 English-American actress Elizabeth Taylor (24) marries for the 3rd time to American film producer Mike Todd (47), until his death in 1958
1959-05-12 English-American actress Elizabeth Taylor (27) marries for the 4th time to American entertainer Eddie Fisher (30); divorce in 1964
1964-03-06 English-American actress Elizabeth Taylor's 4th divorce from American entertainer Eddie Fisher, after nearly 5 years of marriage
1964-03-15 English-American actress Elizabeth Taylor (32) marries for the 5th time to Welsh actor Richard Burton (38); divorce in 1974, remarry in 1975
1974-06-26 English-American actress Elizabeth Taylor's 5th divorce from Welsh actor Richard Burton, after just over 10 years of marriage
1975-10-10 English-American actress Elizabeth Taylor (43) 6th marriage and remarriage to Welsh actor Richard Burton (49) - 1-1/2 years after their first divorce; redivorce in 1976
1976-08-01 English-American actress Elizabeth Taylor's 6th divorce from Welsh actor Richard Burton; their 2nd divorce from each other
1976-12-04 English-American actress Elizabeth Taylor (44) marries for the 7th time to American politician John Warner (49); divorce in 1982
1982-11-07 English-American actress Elizabeth Taylor's 7th divorce from American politician John Warner, after almost 6 years of marriage
1991-10-06 English-American actress Elizabeth Taylor (59) weds for 8th (and final) time to American construction worker Larry Fortensky (39) at Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch in Los Olivos, California; divorce in 1996
1996-10-31 English-American actress Elizabeth Taylor's 8th (and final) divorce from American construction worker Larry Fortensky, after 5 years of marriage

Historical Events

1951-04-05 "A Place in the Sun", film adaptation of Theodore Dreiser's "An American Tragedy", directed by George Stevens, starring Montgomery Clift, Elizabeth Taylor and Shelley Winters premieres at the Cannes Film Festival in France
1951-08-14 "A Place in the Sun", film adptation of Theodore Dreiser's "An American Tragedy", directed by George Stevens, starring Montgomery Clift, Elizabeth Taylor and Shelley Winters premieres in Los Angeles, California; wins 6 Academy Awards, including Best Director, 1952
1956-10-10 "Giant", directed by George Stevens, starring Elizabeth Taylor, Rock Hudson, and James Dean in his last role, premieres in NYC
1960-03-10 17th Golden Globes: "Ben-Hur", Anthony Franciosa, & Elizabeth Taylor win
1961-04-17 33rd Academy Awards: "Apartment" wins best film, Burt Lancaster & Elizabeth Taylor win best actor, actress
1963-06-12 "Cleopatra" directed by Joseph Mankiewicz and starring Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton premieres in NYC, then most expensive film ever made
1966-06-21 "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?", film directorial debut of Mike Nichols, based on Edward Albee's 1962 play of the same name, starring Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, is released (Academy Awards Best Actress, 1967)
1967-04-10 39th Academy Awards: "A Man For All Seasons," Best Picture, Elizabeth Taylor & Paul Scofield best actress/actor
1984-09-29 Elizabeth Taylor undergoes substance abuse rehabilitation at the Betty Ford Center; meets construction worker and future husband Larry Fortensky
1991-12-20 "Father of the Bride" film comedy starring Steve Martin, Diane Keaton, and Martin Short, premieres; film is a re-make of 1950 vehicle for Spencer Tracy and ELizabeth Taylor
1993-03-29 Actress Elizabeth Taylor presented with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award for her AIDS/HIV activism at 65th Academy Awards
1994-01-17 Actress Elizabeth Taylor released from the hospital after hip treatment