Larry King called into The Today Show this morning, siting Elizabeth’s four great loves:
1. Her family
2. Her charities
3. Her talent
4. Her jewelry
Actress, Activist, and Icon - Elizabeth Taylor - died peacefully with her family by her side last night, March 22, 2011. She died surrounded by her first love, with her 4th love close by; and in her passing, the world celebrates a great woman's 2nd and 3rd loves. Famed for her dazzling violet-blue eyes and devastating looks, Elizabeth was hailed as one of the world's great beauties.By the age of 12, Taylor was already a star. And, in her twenties, she grew into grittier, more emotional roles. She produced a number of Oscar-nominated performances including an iconic turn as Maggie in Cat On A Hot Tin Roof in 1958 for which she won rave reviews. Finally in 1960, she brought home the prestigious Academy Award for the role of call girl Gloria Wandrous in Butterfield 8. In 1963, she starred opposite Richard Burton in Cleopatra for an unprecedented $1 million. But it wasn't the money that caught Taylor's eye, it was her costar and future husband, Richard Burton.Elizabeth Taylor earned a second Oscar in 1966 for her brilliant portrayal as the shrewish Martha in Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf?. It is regarded as one of her best performances, and it is one of my all-time favorite movies. But that's enough about her 3rd love. Let's talk about her second...
Elizabeth Taylor once said, “My mother says I didn’t open my eyes for eight days after I was born, but when I did, the first thing I saw was an engagement ring. I was hooked.” Hooked indeed! Most famously, Richard Burton gave Elizabeth an astounding 69-carat pear shaped diamond from Cartier in 1969. The legendary stone has gone on to be known as the Burton-Taylor diamond. Her collection of famous pieces also included the 33.19 carat Krupp Diamond and the La Peregina Pearl, both gifts from Burton which are immortalized in her book My Love Affair With Jewellery. Not one to get sentimental, she auctioned off many of her prized gems for charity, including her diamond and emerald engagement ring from Richard to raise money for AIDS research. This of course leads us to Taylor’s second love after family – her charities.
Elizabeth dedicated much of her later life to charity work and became one of the first celebrities to support AIDS research after the death of her close friend Rock Hudson, who died of the virus in 1985. Not only did she dive into the cause, but she advocated for the support of her Hollywood friends. Her efforts were supported by famous pals like Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis, with more recent collaborations with Elton John. In October 1991, Miss Taylor established The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation (ETAF). With a focus on direct services for people living with AIDS, ETAF provides funding to AIDS service organizations throughout the world to assist those living with HIV and AIDS. Since its inception, the Foundation has raised funds for HIV/AIDS service organizations throughout the world, providing critically needed support services and prevention education.
In her passing, Elizabeth Taylor’s family, films, and jewelry will live on, but it is up to us to continue her fight against AIDS. Visit The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation to learn more about how you can continue the efforts of a great humanitarian.
//
