subject: Legendary Actress Elizabeth Taylor dies at 79 [print this page] Legendary Actress Elizabeth Taylor dies at 79
The renowned humanitarian legendary actress Elizabeth Taylor passed away, March 23, 1 :28 AM at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles due to congestive heart failure, a disease she had been battling for years.
According to news, the glamorous actress died in peace surrounded by her family at the hospital where she had been confined six weeks ago.
In her seven decade career, Elizabeth Taylor was among the most controversial actress in aspects of life and love. Her remarkable portrayal in the 1944 film "National Velvet" at the age 12 gave her five Oscar nominations and was the start of a successful acting career. Other award winning movies she starred with were Butterfield 8" (1960), "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" and "Cleopatra" in 1961 which is said to be the most expensive movie ever made at that time. The last movie she starred with is the live action comedy "The Flintstones" in 1994.
Elizabeth Taylor's natural born angelic beauty somewhat made her the most sought leading lady of her time and have made the hottest men in the industry at that time fall into their knees. As a matter of fact, her love life was the most controversial one in the Hollywood history being married eight times to different men.
Unfortunately, her eight marriages all ended up in divorce and health problems due to drug and liquor addiction overshadowed her successful career. She has gained weight and was hospitalized several times and has entered the Betty Ford Center in California for treatment.
Her controversial men in life:
Conrad "Nicky" Hilton (May 6, 1950 January 29, 1951)-divorced after nine months
Michael Wilding (February 21, 1952 January 26, 1957) divorced due to a 20-year age gap
Michael Todd (February 2, 1957 March 22, 1958)-ended due to Todd's death
Eddie Fisher (May 12, 1959 March 6, 1964)-he was Todd's best friend. This is her scandalous marriage.
Richard Burton (March 15, 1964 June 26, 1974)-said to be the bets match at that time. Their marriage was tagged as "the most famous film star in the world and the man many believed to be the finest classical actor of his generation."
Richard Burton (October 10, 1975 July 29, 1976)- she remarried Burton after sixteen months of divorcing.
John Warner (December 4, 1976 November 7, 1982)-she became depressed and unhappy to be his wife and ended up for a divorce. This was the start of her alcohol addiction problem.
Larry Fortensky (October 6, 1991 October 31, 1996)- also ended up in divorce.
When her good friend Rock Hudson died of AIDS in 1985, she was determined to change her life and overcome addiction by getting involved in Aids awareness crusade and raise money to help treat the victims of that deadly disease.
The death of her friend became an awakening message to then 53 year-old Taylor.
"She was among the first to speak out on behalf of people living with HIV when others reacted with fear and often outright hostility," said The American Foundation for AIDS Research, of which Taylor was founding national chairman.
With this worthy endeavor, Elizabeth was honored with a title of "Dame" (a female knighthood) by Queen Elizabeth herself in 2000.
Even when she was deeply suffering from her illness, Elizabeth Taylor cuddled in a wheelchair never misses her charity events and appearances.
Though Elizabeth stumbled in her middle age, she manages to rebound and became a better person and has lived a good life that is worth remembering.
"My mother was an extraordinary woman who lived life to the fullest, with great passion, humor, and love," her son Michael said.
