intervention held for, 372–73
383, 384, 391, 456
last illnesses, 467–68
William Pawley, 72, 76–77, 83
menstruation clause in contracts, 190, 190n
See also Richard Burton (below); specific miscarriage, 89
men
osteoporosis, 407, 409, 410, 411, 438
PERSONALITY AND CHARACTER
ovarian cyst, 296
anger and temper, 89–90, 93–94, 103,
perfectionism, control, and, 2–3, 85
110–12, 116, 149, 159, 275, 279
pregnancy complications, 207
animals, love of, and pets, 60–61, 105,
pulmonary virus (1990), 420
245–46, 340, 443–44, 455
rehab, Betty Ford Center and sobriety, 373,
art, love of and collecting, 34
374–81, 390, 407, 408, 409–12, 440, 452
dislike of duplicity, 56
shock of Mike Todd’s death, 135, 384
dominance, 128, 147, 150, 432, 433,
smoking, 88, 90, 264, 432
446–47
spinal meningitis, pneumonia, and neargenerosity and devotion, 174–77, 303, 337, death illness, 155–61
338, 396, 408–9
spine injuries, 51–52, 108, 131, 207, 260,
humbleness, 55
262, 272–73, 342, 467
humor, 53, 230
stomach problems, 90
independent streak, 57
suicide attempts, 2, 193–95, 213
inferiority complex, 60, 251
tracheotomy, 157, 159–60, 161
lateness, 84, 167, 239, 324, 364
LOVES, ROMANCES, AND MARRIAGES
loyalty to friends, 121
abuse and, 84–89, 98–101, 110–11, 112,
mother protector, 120, 121, 397–403, 408
129, 147, 150, 211–14, 345–46, 442
mother’s influence, 1–2, 15–17, 21, 69, 405,
dating, acting, and romantic illusion,
453
73–74, 80
perfectionism, 2, 85, 439–40
546
Index
personal growth, 2–3, 377–81, 389–92,
The Night of the Iguana, affair in Mexico, 401–2, 452–53, 460
229–33
profanity and swearing, 90, 120–21, 304
reconciliation (1973–1974), 296–300
psychological “tear” in, 59, 61–62
relationship, continuation in 1980s, 341,
self-esteem, 333–34, 347
343–44, 346–53, 356–65
sloppiness, 84
remarriage (1975), 302–6
stubbornness, 84
separations (1972, 1973), 281–82, 289–93
vulnerability, 55
sexual revolution, scandal, bad press,
will, willfulness, selfishness, and sense of
200–204
entitlement, 52, 98, 104–5, 113–14, 142,
The Taming of the Shrew, backing of, 259, 149–50, 194, 224, 244, 279, 324, 453,
265
458
wedding (March 15, 1964), 237–42
RELIGION AND BELIEFS, 462–63, 468
wedding two (October 10, 1975), 303
Catholicism and, 82, 144
Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and, 256–61, Christian Science and, 11, 20–21, 35, 144,
267–69, 267n
145, 295–96
Taylor, Francis Lenn (father), 9, 12–32, 34
Judaism, 144–45
alcoholism, 27, 45–46, 64, 346
RESIDENCES:
as art gallery director or owner, 9, 18,
Atoka Farms, Virginia, 318, 319, 323, 331,
21–22, 31, 33, 34–36, 37, 77, 102
336, 340
death and funeral, 269–72
Bel Air, Nimes Road, 340, 418–19, 438,
Elizabeth and, 10, 15–17, 26–31, 77–79, 81,
464, 467
83, 86, 99–100, 102–3, 111–12, 116,
Beresford Apartments, New York, 360
131–32, 136, 145, 158, 159, 204, 205,
Beverly Hills, parents’ home, 34, 83, 87
222–23, 233, 239, 345–46, 377–78
Beverly Hills, Selznick’s house, 113–14
Elizabeth’s career and, 39–40, 43, 45–47,
Casa Kimberly, 230–31, 273, 298, 300
55–56, 63–66, 91–93, 102, 104, 161,
Chalet Ariel, Gstaad, 218–25, 267, 298,
344, 410
300, 304, 388–89, 391, 420, 438
homosexuality and, 27–28
Chelsea townhouse, London, 346, 349, 350
marriage to Sara Warmbrodt, 9–17, 26–31,
Dorchester Hotel, London, 216, 217, 227
33–36, 45–46, 64–65, 93, 102, 108,
in England, pre-War, 13–32, 344
431–32
Los Angeles, with Michael Wilding, 104–5,
personality and character, 9–11, 16, 17, 18,
107
26, 63–66, 80, 93, 150, 181, 320
Malibu summer home, 70
relationship with Howard Young, 9, 12,
Villa Papa, 166, 189, 193
17–21, 72, 87, 93, 100
RICHARD BURTON, 60, 65, 95n, 109, 123,
relationship with Victor Cazalet, 17–21, 34
458–59, 461, 463–64, 473
son, Howard, and, 12–13, 26, 65
abusive behavior and domestic conflict,
Taylor, Howard (brother), 12–13, 20, 26, 32,
211–14, 219, 231, 247–48, 252, 259–60,
34, 35, 40, 41, 46, 65, 97, 106, 108, 131,
275–77, 298–300, 304, 442
132, 136, 137, 145, 233, 263, 345,
affair on set of Cleopatra, 178–91, 195–97, 372–73, 410, 426, 438, 463, 468
202–5
Taylor, Mara Regan (sister-in-law), 97, 131,
announcing end of marriage to, 65
132, 145, 233, 463, 468
Boston mobbing by fans, 242–44
Taylor, Mary Rosamond (grandmother), 13
Chalet Ariel, Gstaad, separation and
Taylor, Robert, 59–60, 71–72, 96
reconciliation (1962), 218–25
Taylor, Rod, 226
death of and grieving, 381–89, 390, 402,
Taylor, Sara Viola Warmbrodt (mother), 7,
407
12–32
divorce, 1974, 300
acting career, 1, 7–9, 11, 21, 25, 36, 72, 160
divorce, 1976, 309–13, 317
as acting coach, 42, 45, 54–55, 62–63, 103
Elizabeth’s deal-making and, 166
aging and illness, 408–9, 410–11, 437–41
Elizabeth’s inferiority complex and, 60, 251
appearance, 22
first meetings, 167–68, 171–72
in California, Elizabeth’s childhood, 33–61
jewelry and gifts, 231–32, 239, 265–67, 297,
Christian Science and, 8, 11, 20–21, 28, 35,
300, 303
57, 109, 155, 270
jilting and suicide attempt (1962), 191–95
closeness with Elizabeth, 7, 8–9, 30, 62–63,
leaves Sybil for, 225–29, 278
69, 86, 136, 158, 159, 233, 279, 280,
marriage to Sally Hay, impact of, 365–71
408–9, 410–11, 464
Index
547
conflict with Elizabeth, 77–78, 81, 89–90,
Cleopatra, 148, 155, 156, 163–73, 214–17, 91, 102–3, 107–8, 162, 439–40
215n, 225–26
death, 441
Elizabeth and, 45, 148, 202
Elizabeth’s career, adult years, 92, 103–4,
Richard Burton and, 171, 172
161, 162, 190n
Tynan, Kenneth, 228
Elizabeth’s career, childhood years, 35–66,
> Tyson, Cecily, 301
190n, 344, 379, 410–11
Elizabeth’s growth, development, and, 1–2,
Under Milk Wood (play), 346, 349–50
15–17, 21, 22–25, 35–66, 431–32, 453
Under Milk Wood (film), 264
Elizabeth’s love life and marriages and,
Under the Volcano (film), 362, 363
69–79, 80, 85–86, 87–88, 90–91, 99,
Universal Pictures, 37–39, 41
131–32, 145, 204, 205, 222–23, 239, 426
University High School, Los Angeles, 79–80
financial gain from Elizabeth’s career,
38–39, 42, 54, 103
V.I.P.s, The (film), 226–27, 248
marriage to Francis Taylor, 9–17, 26–31,
Vacani Dance School, 23–25
33–36, 45–46, 64–65, 93, 271–72,
Valva, John, 171
431–32
Variety, 72
MGM and, 57, 82
Verkaufen, Stefan, 27, 55, 64, 65, 66, 77, 78,
Mike Todd’s death and, 136
205, 260, 346
personality and character, 8–9, 15–17,
Verne, Jules, 125
19–20, 21, 26, 32, 63, 149, 271–72, 405
Victory at Entebbe (TV movie), 322
relationship with Howard Young and Victor
Vignale, Raymond, 294
Cazalet, 17–21, 26, 28, 34, 72
von Furstenberg, Betsy, 101
social ambitions, 22, 32, 81
Voyage, The (film), 289, 291, 298
son, Howard, and, 12–13, 15, 26, 65
Temple, Shirley, 32–33, 301
W magazine, 467
Thau, Benny, 66
Wagner (film), 352
There Must Be a Pony (film), 390–91
Wagner, Robert, 61, 391
There’s One Born Every Minute (film), 41 Walden Productions, 91–93, 104
These Old Broads (TV movie), 476
Walker, Kathryn, 360
Thomas, Dylan, 230, 264, 346–47
Wall, Roger, 421
Thornton, Billy Bob, 468
Wallis, Hal, 216
Thorpe, Richard, 65
Walters, Barbara, 63, 120, 322, 415, 449, 457,
Tivey, Hap, 355, 387, 470
459
Todd, Liza (Liza Todd Tivey, daughter), 71,
Wanger, Stephanie, 197
132, 166, 207–8, 209, 230, 246, 252,
Wanger, Walter, 148, 155, 185, 186, 188, 193
284, 347, 355, 372–73, 387–88, 461, 470
Warhol, Andy, 333
Todd, Michael, Jr., 131, 197–98
Warmbrodt, Elizabeth (grandmother), 7, 13
Todd, Michael “Mike,” 115, 122, 124–38, 165,
Warner, Jack, 268
450, 463, 472
Warner, Jeanne Vander Myde, 474
abusiveness, 129, 211
Warner, John William, Jr., 317–36, 350, 439,
daughter, Liza, 71, 132, 132, 207–8, 230
473–74
death and funeral, 133–38, 139–40, 292,
ambition and motivation for relationship,
328, 463
321–22
Eddie Fisher and, 139–40, 141
Atoka Farms, 318, 319, 323, 331, 336, 340
Elizabeth, meeting and, 116–17
divorce, 340
engagement, 126
Elizabeth’s engagement ring, 321
jewelry given to Elizabeth, 126–28
marriage, 323–36, 339–40, 372
marriage, 132–33, 150, 178, 179, 206, 324
nickname for Elizabeth, 326, 329
romance and courtship, 124–31
Senate campaign, 324–29
Todd-AO, 125, 129, 165
temperament and personality, 320–21
wedding, 131
wedding, 323
Tolstoy, Leo, 224
Warner Bros. Studios, 118, 121, 122, 257, 260
Tracy, Spencer, 82
Wasserman, Dale, 155
Travolta, John, 468
Wayne, John, 119
Turner, Lana, 44
Welles, Orson, 226
20th Century-Fox, 301
Wellman, Lucille, 231–33
Century City and, 215n
Westwood Memorial Park, 271, 441
CinemaScope, 165
White Cliffs of Dove (film), 45
548
Index
Who’s Afraid of Elizabeth Taylor (Maddox), 52 Williamson, Marianne, 426, 427
Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (film), 256–61, Wilson, Bob, 239, 365
262, 267–69, 267n, 279, 333, 337
Wilson, Stewart, 197, 198
Wigg, David, 462
Winchell, Walter, 240
Wike, Joyce, 200
Winfrey, Oprah, 345
Wilcox, Beverly, 299
Winter Kills (film), 323–24
Wilding, Christopher (son), 114, 166, 208,
Winters, Shelley, 119
209, 220, 230, 233, 246, 252, 283, 347,
Wizard of Oz, The (film), 301
372–73, 399, 454, 461, 469
Wood, Natalie, 59, 471
marriages and children, 355, 399, 469
“World Enough and Time” (theater), 250–51
Wilding, Leyla, 284
World War II, 31–32, 462
Wilding, Michael, 124, 471
Wulff, Guillermo, 230–31
abuse by Elizabeth, 110–2
Wyler, William, 336
children with Elizabeth, 106–8, 114, 230,
Wynberg, Henry, 293–96, 297, 301, 302, 321
283
engagement, 101–2, 422
X, Y, and Zee (film), 263–64
epilepsy of, 96
marriage, 103–15, 172 444
Yellen, Linda, 417
movie career, 104, 114
York, Michael, 262
romance with Elizabeth, 94–98
York, Susannah, 263
separation and divorce, 114–17, 123, 126
Young, Howard, 9, 12, 17–21, 26, 31, 65, 72,
wedding, 102–3
87, 93, 103, 105
Wilding, Michael Howard (son), 106–8, 166,
Young, Kay, 96
207, 208, 209, 220, 230, 233, 246, 252,
Young, Mabel Rosemond, 18, 27
282–84, 298, 347, 355, 372–73, 426,
Young, Paul, 111–12, 113–14, 115–16
461, 469
Young Toscanini (film), 402
marriages and children, 283, 355, 461, 469
Willard School, 33
Zanuck, Darryl F., 214–15, 215n
Williams, Brooke, 364
Zavits, Vivian, 193
Williams, Esther, 58
Zeffirelli, Franco, 262, 402, 425
Williams, Tennessee, 147, 229, 263, 417–18
Zellman, Victor, 197, 198
Document Outline
Title Page
Copyright
Contents
Prologue
Part One: Childhood
Sara and Francis
A Change in Sara
A Family Held Hostage?
�Bravo!�
�Missing a Father�s Love�
�I Think I Might Want to Be an Actress�
A New Life in America
�But I Want to Be with MGM!�
National Velvet
Making a Star . . . a Star!
Part Two: Finding Her Way
Early Suitors . . . and Howard Hughes
Nicky Hilton
Elizabeth�s Anger
Uncle Howard Gets Rid of Nicky Hilton
Michael Wilding
A Marriage Devoid of Passion
Movies
Mike Todd
Mike Todd�s Sudden Death
Eddie Fisher
Elizabeth and Eddie Marry
Butterfield 8
Part Three: Her Destiny
A False Start for Cleopatra
A Near-Death Experience and Then an Oscar
Cleopatra Begins Filming
Richard Burton
Elizabeth Adopts a Baby
�Love, in All of Its Mystery, Unfolds�
Elizabeth Confesses to Eddie about Richard
Unadulterated Drama
Elizabeth Attempts Suicide?
�Le Scandale�
The Taylor-Burton Sexual Revolution
Cleopatra Arrives
Elizabeth as a Mother
Nightmare in Porto Santo Stefano
Finishing Cleopatra
A Turning Point in Gstaad
Richard Chooses
True Love in Mexico
Part Four: "Liz and Dick"
Elizabeth and Richard: �We Will Have No More Marriages�
The Boston Brawl
Richard�s Hemophilia
�Even Our Fights Are Fun�
Elizabeth Apologizes to Debbie
Who�s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
Bad Movies, Great Riches, and Another Oscar
�Francis L. Taylor� All Our Love�1897�1968�
�Learning from Each Other�
�I Sometimes Curse the Day . . .�
�Pray for Us�
And What of the Children?
Part Five: Confusion Reigns
�What Makes Us Women�
Henry Wynberg
Elizabeth Divorces Richard
Elizabeth Marries Richard . . . Again!
A Diversion before Divorce
Richard Asks for Another Divorce
Part Six: Coming to Terms
John Warner
Elizabeth Marries John
An Important Transition
The Little Foxes
Sifting Through the Wreckage
A Birthday Reunion with Richard
�God Has Kept an Eye on My Children�
Elizabeth Gets Her Way
Private Lives and Private Miseries
Richard Marries . . . Someone Else
Intervention
Betty Ford Center
Richard Burton Dies
Transition
Part Seven: The Glory Years
�I Will Not Be Ignored�
Elizabeth Taylor�s Passion
Back at Betty Ford
Larry Fortensky
Michael Jackson
Elizabeth Marries Larry
Re-creating Her Mother�s Marriage . . . but Not Quite
Part Eight: All Woman
�Sara S. Taylor�Loving Mother, Devoted Wife� 1895�1994�
Elizabeth and Larry End Their Marriage
Facing Her Mortality . . . Again
Dame Elizabeth: Honor at Last
Selected Cast of Characters
Acknowledgments
Sources and Other Notes
Elizabeth Taylor Filmography
Index
Table of Contents
Part One
Part Two
Part Three
Part Four
Part Five
Part Six
Part Seven
Part Eight
Elizabeth Page 58