Elizabeth Taylor was heavily associated with extravagance. She made great reading fodder. 80’s supermarket checkout lanes were FILLED with references to Elizabeth Taylor. Every level of journalism had a never-ending stream of articles on the front covers. For years and years and years, even decades. From tabloids to magazines, whether people wanted to thumb their noses at her or were inspired by the fantastical tidbits of her life - she
sold copies. Good, bad or indifferent that made her relevant. In many ways it was a pre-curser to social media lifestyle fame, which is basically what the Kardashians built their empire on so I can see why Liz was picked up on their radar
AI Overview:
Yes, Elizabeth Taylor is widely considered synonymous with extravagance, especially regarding her legendary jewelry collection and lavish lifestyle
. Her wealth, fame, and highly publicized personal life, particularly her tumultuous marriages to Richard Burton, made her a symbol of Hollywood luxury and excess.
Her extravagant image is backed by numerous examples throughout her life:
- Iconic jewelry collection: Taylor was known for her love of diamonds and other precious gems, which were often extravagant gifts from her seven husbands.
- The 69.42-carat pear-shaped Taylor-Burton Diamond was purchased for her by Richard Burton in 1969.
- The 33.19-carat Krupp Diamond (later renamed the Elizabeth Taylor Diamond) was another gift from Burton.
- Her stunning collection also included the historic 16th-century La Peregrina Pearl and the Shah Jahan Diamond.
- At auction after her death, her jewelry alone sold for $115 million, more than doubling pre-sale estimates.
- Lavish spending: Taylor and Burton were notorious for their opulent spending.
- They spent huge fortunes on fine art, including works by Monet and Picasso.
- In 1969, their full-time staff cost $800,000 annually, the equivalent of over $6 million today.
- They bought a 290-ton yacht and a private jet to facilitate their globetrotting.
- Grand productions and publicity: Her professional life was also associated with extravagance.
- Her affair with Richard Burton on the set of Cleopatra led to one of Hollywood's most notorious and public relationships, complete with expensive gifts and constant media attention.
- Her eight weddings to seven different men were each spectacular affairs, featuring custom-made gowns from top designers.
- Her final wedding to Larry Fortensky in 1991 was held at Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch and featured 160 celebrity guests.
- Eccentricities and anecdotes: Her larger-than-life personality and anecdotes further cemented her reputation for excess.
- She was known for traveling with a massive entourage and dozens of pieces of luggage.
- Her former assistant recalled that Taylor once gave Michael Jackson an elephant as a thank-you gift.
Ultimately, Taylor embodied the peak of old Hollywood glamour, using her considerable wealth to live a lavish lifestyle that captivated and scandalized the public for decades.
——- And on the sidebar:
