Remembering Elizabeth Taylor 1932 - 2011
As infamous off screen as she was famous on screen, this film legend won two Oscars for the films Butterfield 8 and Who’s afraid of Virginia Woolf? She gave ground breaking performances in films like Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and Suddenly, Last Summer. She also won the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Oscar for her humanitarian efforts. She was the epitome of the classic old Hollywood movie star and her loss signals the true end of an era.
Elizabeth Taylor was one of the last classic Hollywood era movie stars.
Her career spanned a phenomenal 70 years and 50 films and she will be remembered not only for her contribution to film, but also for her tireless work in an effort to combat HIV/AIDS. She was surrounded by her children Michael Wilding, Christopher Wilding, Liza Todd, and Maria Burton when she passed.
Her son Michael Wilding, 58, said: “My mother was an extraordinary woman who lived life to the fullest, with great passion, humor, and love. Though her loss is devastating to those of us who held her so close and so dear, we will always be inspired by her enduring contribution to our world.”
"We know, quite simply, that the world is a better place for Mom having lived in it. Her legacy will never fade, her spirit will always be with us, and her love will live forever in our hearts."
Cleopatra (1963) - Elizabeth Taylor as the historical icon Cleopatra.
Her first appearance on film was at age 9 in There’s One Born Every Minute and her last appearance on film was in the TV series God, the Devil and Bob. After her debut she went on to appear in the Lassie films, Jane Eyre, National Velvet, A Place in the Sun, Giant, and of course Cleopatra where she met Richard Burton. The diminutive actress was larger than life, living it to the fullest and making no apologies for enjoying everything that life had to offer.
"We have just lost a Hollywood giant," said Elton John, a longtime friend of Taylor. "More importantly, we have lost an incredible human being."
The violet eyed actress had eight marriages, was married to Richard Burton twice and they were known as the "Brangelina" of their day. It’s an understatement to say her love life was tumultuous and fascinating and we can definitively say she captured our hearts and our attention as much by her personal escapades as by her work in film. She will be missed.
Contributions can be made to The Elizabeth Taylor Aids Foundation in lieu of flowers.
Elizabeth Taylor's remarkable career spanned an astonishing 70 years.
