Elizabeth Taylor wasn’t just a Hollywood star; she was a global icon whose life was filled with drama, beauty, and unforgettable romances. Famous for her violet eyes and magnetic screen presence, Taylor’s life off-screen attracted just as much attention as her performances. With eight marriages to seven husbands, Taylor’s love life became as legendary as her movies. Each marriage was unique, full of highs and lows that added to the allure surrounding her. Let’s take a journey through the remarkable love stories that defined this unforgettable starlet.
The Young Bride: Conrad “Nicky” Hilton
Elizabeth Taylor’s first marriage came at just 18 when she married Conrad “Nicky” Hilton Jr., heir to the Hilton hotel empire, in 1950. Their lavish wedding coincided with the release of Father of the Bride, and Taylor’s wedding became a Hollywood event in itself. However, the marriage quickly soured. The honeymoon was reportedly tense, with Hilton’s gambling habits and behavior leading to an early split. Taylor later called this marriage a youthful mistake, one fueled by her naive views on love.
The English Gentleman: Michael Wilding
After her first heartbreak, Taylor turned to British actor Michael Wilding, who was 20 years her senior. They wed in 1952, and Taylor found a sense of stability with Wilding. The couple had two sons, Michael and Christopher, who became Taylor’s pride and joy. However, as Taylor’s fame grew, tension between them surfaced. Rumors suggested Wilding felt overshadowed by his wife’s stardom, leading to a friendly divorce in 1957. Despite the split, Taylor and Wilding maintained a respectful relationship.
The Tragic Love: Mike Todd
In 1957, Taylor married film producer Mike Todd, a larger-than-life figure who brought immense joy and confidence into her life. They had a daughter, Liza, and Taylor considered Todd her true love. Tragically, just one year into their marriage, Todd died in a plane crash. The loss devastated Taylor, and she later said that Todd’s love had given her a deep sense of self-worth. His death left an irreplaceable void in her life, and she carried the memory of their love forever.
The Controversial Romance: Eddie Fisher
Struggling with the grief of Todd’s death, Taylor found solace in Eddie Fisher, Todd’s close friend. Their relationship sparked controversy, as Fisher was married to actress Debbie Reynolds, a friend of Taylor. Despite the backlash, Taylor and Fisher married in 1959. However, their marriage couldn’t withstand the complexities and guilt surrounding it, and Taylor ultimately moved on. By 1964, the two had divorced, but Taylor and Reynolds eventually reconciled, restoring their friendship years later.
The Legendary Love Story: Richard Burton
Of all Taylor’s husbands, Richard Burton was perhaps the most famous. The two met on the set of Cleopatra in 1963, sparking an intense love affair that captivated the world. Married in 1964, their relationship was passionate and volatile, marked by their powerful personalities and shared love for the dramatic. Burton gifted Taylor some of her most iconic jewelry, including the legendary Krupp diamond. Although they divorced in 1974, they couldn’t stay apart for long and remarried in 1975—only to divorce again less than a year later. Their romance became a symbol of Hollywood passion, forever etched in pop culture history.
The Political Husband: John Warner
In 1976, Taylor married John Warner, a U.S. Senator from Virginia. Leaving the Hollywood spotlight, she took on the role of a politician’s wife, supporting Warner’s career. However, the political life soon felt confining to Taylor. She missed acting, the excitement of Hollywood, and found herself battling loneliness. By 1982, the couple divorced, and Taylor returned to the screen, realizing that the role of a senator’s wife wasn’t for her.
The Final Love: Larry Fortensky
Taylor’s eighth and final marriage was perhaps her most surprising. In 1991, she wed Larry Fortensky, a construction worker she met at the Betty Ford Clinic. Their wedding, held at Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch, was a media frenzy. Despite their different backgrounds, Taylor and Fortensky shared a down-to-earth bond. However, the pressures of fame strained their relationship, leading to a quiet divorce in 1996. The two remained close friends, and Fortensky later expressed his admiration for Taylor’s resilience.
Taylor’s Legacy of Love and Resilience
Elizabeth Taylor’s love life was complex, filled with passion, loss, and joy. Each marriage revealed a different facet of her personality—from the naive young bride to the fiercely independent Hollywood star. Taylor never gave up on love, facing heartbreak with grace and resilience. Her life was a testament to the fact that love is rarely simple but always worth the journey.
Through her roles on screen and her iconic romances, Taylor left a lasting legacy, reminding us that true beauty lies in living authentically, embracing life’s highs and lows with an open heart.
