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Elizabeth Rosemond Taylor was born in Hampstead, London, to American parents, Francis Lenn Taylor and Sara Sothern. Her father was an art dealer, and her mother was a stage actress who gave up her career. Born amidst the pre-war atmosphere of Europe, her early years were steeped in culture and artistic appreciation, unknowingly laying the foundation for her future career in the performing arts.

As World War II intensified, the Taylor family relocated to Los Angeles in 1939. Elizabeth's striking beauty and natural talent quickly attracted attention, leading to a Universal Pictures contract at age 9. This contract was soon dropped, but she impressed MGM executives with her audition, leading her to secure a new contract with them. This marked the official beginning of her Hollywood journey and catapulted her into the world of acting. This period was crucial, solidifying her place as a working child actor in Hollywood.

At the age of 12, Elizabeth Taylor achieved international stardom with her role in 'National Velvet'. This film wasn't just a box office success; it solidified her image as a talented and mature actress beyond her years. 'National Velvet' cemented her as a bankable star and opened doors to more prominent roles, propelling her into the upper echelon of Hollywood's young talent.

As she matured, Taylor transitioned smoothly from child star to leading lady, showcasing her versatility in films like 'A Place in the Sun' (1951), 'Giant' (1956), and 'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof' (1958). These roles demonstrated her range and ability to tackle complex characters, earning her critical acclaim and solidifying her reputation as one of Hollywood's most talented actresses. This decade established her as a serious dramatic performer.

The 1960s marked a turning point in Taylor's life and career. While filming 'Cleopatra' (1963), the most expensive film ever made at the time, she embarked on a passionate and highly publicized affair with co-star Richard Burton, who was then married. The ensuing scandal captivated the world, further amplifying her celebrity status. Despite the controversy, the era cemented her as a cultural icon and her affair with Burton became one of Hollywood's most legendary love stories.

Taylor won her first Academy Award for Best Actress for 'Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?' (1966) which she co-stared in with then husband, Richard Burton. Then again in 1967 she won the Academy Award for Best Actress for 'BUtterfield 8'. She continued to work in movies through out the next several years, including, 'The Taming of the Shrew' (1967), 'Secret Ceremony' (1968), and 'Hammersmith Is Out' (1972).

In the mid-1980s, deeply moved by the AIDS epidemic, Taylor became a pioneering activist and fundraiser. She co-founded the American Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR) and later established the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation (ETAF). Her tireless advocacy helped raise awareness, fund research, and combat stigma surrounding the disease, leaving a lasting impact on the fight against AIDS.

Dame Elizabeth Taylor passed away at the age of 79 in Los Angeles, California, due to congestive heart failure. Her death marked the end of an era, leaving behind a legacy as one of Hollywood's greatest stars, a passionate advocate for social causes, and a woman who lived life on her own terms. Her impact on film, fashion, and philanthropy continues to resonate to this day.

Elizabeth Taylor's first marriage was to Conrad 'Nicky' Hilton Jr., heir to the Hilton hotel fortune. The marriage was short-lived, ending in divorce after just eight months, citing mental cruelty.

Taylor married British actor Michael Wilding, almost twenty years her senior. They had two sons, Michael Howard (born 1953) and Christopher Edward (born 1955). They divorced in 1957, citing incompatibility.

She married film producer Mike Todd, a flamboyant and wealthy man, with whom she had a daughter, Elizabeth Frances (born 1957). Todd's death in a plane crash a year later deeply affected Taylor.

Taylor's marriage to singer Eddie Fisher caused a major scandal as Fisher was married to actress Debbie Reynolds at the time. The public condemned Taylor for 'breaking up' the marriage. They adopted a daughter, Maria Burton (born 1961).

Taylor's relationship with Richard Burton was one of the most famous and tumultuous in Hollywood history. They met on the set of 'Cleopatra' and their passionate affair dominated headlines. They married in 1964, divorced in 1974, remarried in 1975, and divorced again in 1976. They starred in numerous films together, including 'Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?'

She married Republican politician John Warner, later a U.S. Senator from Virginia. She became involved in his political career, but the marriage ended in divorce, reportedly due to her unhappiness in Washington D.C. and his dedication to his career.

Taylor's last marriage was to construction worker Larry Fortensky, whom she met in rehab. The wedding was a lavish affair held at Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch. They divorced in 1996.

Taylor suffered from scoliosis as a child, which contributed to chronic back pain later in life.

She endured numerous accidents and injuries throughout her career, including a near-fatal fall during the filming of 'National Velvet' and other on-set mishaps. These injuries often required surgery and contributed to her dependence on painkillers later in life.

Taylor nearly died from pneumonia in 1961 and required an emergency tracheotomy to save her life. This incident further fueled public interest in her well-being and marked a turning point in her health struggles.

Taylor struggled with weight gain and addiction to painkillers and alcohol throughout her adult life. She underwent numerous rehab treatments to address these issues.

In her later years, she suffered from osteoporosis, congestive heart failure, and other age-related ailments. She used a wheelchair for much of the later part of her life.

Elizabeth Taylor died at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles on March 23, 2011, at the age of 79, from congestive heart failure. Her long history of health problems had significantly weakened her heart.

Even as a child star, Taylor captivated audiences with her striking natural beauty, including her violet eyes and dark hair. MGM carefully cultivated her image, emphasizing her innocence and youthful charm.

In the 1950s, she began to embrace a more glamorous and sophisticated style, wearing elegant gowns and showcasing her growing collection of jewelry.

The 1960s marked a period of bold and daring style choices for Taylor. Her affair and marriages to Richard Burton influenced her style, and she became known for her extravagant jewelry and glamorous ensembles. Her eye makeup was also very distinctive.

Elizabeth Taylor amassed one of the world's most impressive private jewelry collections, featuring rare and exquisite pieces from renowned jewelers like Cartier, Bulgari, and Van Cleef & Arpels. Her collection became synonymous with her name, and she often wore her favorite pieces to public events.

Even in her later years, she maintained a sense of timeless elegance, continuing to embrace glamorous fashion and jewelry. She remained a style icon, inspiring generations with her unique sense of style.

Taylor's legacy as a style icon continues to endure. Her iconic looks are often referenced in fashion editorials, and her jewelry collection has been exhibited in museums around the world, cementing her place as a true fashion legend.

Elizabeth Taylor became increasingly concerned about the lack of public awareness and funding for AIDS research and treatment. She was appalled by the stigma surrounding the disease and felt compelled to take action.

Taylor co-founded the American Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR) with Dr. Michael Gottlieb and Dr. Mathilde Krim. amfAR quickly became a leading organization in funding AIDS research and prevention efforts.

Taylor established her own foundation, the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation (ETAF), to further support AIDS-related causes. ETAF focuses on providing direct care to people living with HIV/AIDS and advocating for policy changes to combat the epidemic.

Throughout the later decades of her life, Taylor dedicated herself to raising awareness and funds for AIDS research and treatment. She made numerous public appearances, gave speeches, and hosted fundraising events, using her celebrity status to draw attention to the issue.

Following Elizabeth Taylor's death, ETAF has continued to operate and expand its reach, providing support and resources to communities affected by HIV/AIDS around the world. Her legacy as a tireless advocate for AIDS awareness continues to inspire action and drive progress in the fight against the disease.

Although her film career began to slow down, Taylor continued to take on roles in films such as 'Zee and Co.' (1972) and 'Ash Wednesday' (1973). These roles were generally less successful commercially and critically than her earlier work.

Taylor made her Broadway debut in a revival of Lillian Hellman's 'The Little Foxes'. Despite mixed reviews, the production was a success due to her star power.

She began appearing more frequently on television, including roles in miniseries and TV movies. One notable role was as Helena Cassadine on the daytime drama 'General Hospital.

She made cameo appearances in films like 'The Flintstones' (1994) and 'These Old Broads' (2001), showcasing her willingness to embrace her celebrity status and have fun with her image.

In her final years, Elizabeth Taylor focused on her philanthropic work with amfAR and ETAF. She made occasional public appearances to support these causes, even as her health declined. Her last major public appearance was at a fundraising gala for ETAF in 2010.

Elizabeth Taylor began to transition into more adult roles with her performance in 'Father of the Bride' (1950), showcasing her versatility and ability to handle more mature themes.

Her role in 'A Place in the Sun' (1951), alongside Montgomery Clift, is considered a career highlight and a classic of American cinema. The film received critical acclaim and further solidified her status as a leading lady.

Taylor starred alongside Rock Hudson and James Dean in the epic drama 'Giant' (1956). This film explored themes of social change and prejudice in Texas and was another significant success for Taylor.

Her performance as Maggie the Cat in 'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof' (1958), based on Tennessee Williams' play, earned her critical acclaim and an Academy Award nomination. The film dealt with complex themes of family secrets and sexuality.

Another Tennessee Williams adaptation, 'Suddenly, Last Summer' (1959), saw Taylor nominated for an Academy Award, where she worked with Montgomery Clift again, delivering another powerful performance in a controversial and psychologically complex film.

Taylor won her first Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in 'Butterfield 8' (1960). While the film itself was not critically acclaimed, her performance was recognized, and many believed the award was partly due to her recent serious illness.

Starring in 'Cleopatra' (1963) became one of the most publicized and expensive films ever made at the time. It was on this set that she began her famous affair with Richard Burton, forever linking their names. She became the highest-paid actress at the time.

Taylor won her second Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in 'Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?' (1966), directed by Mike Nichols and co-starring Richard Burton. This critically acclaimed film showcased her range and willingness to tackle challenging and complex characters.

Elizabeth Rosemond Taylor was born in Hampstead, London, to American parents, Francis Lenn Taylor, an art dealer, and Sara Sothern (born Sara Viola Warmbrodt), a stage actress who gave up her career upon marriage. She had dual British and American citizenship from birth.

With the onset of World War II, the Taylor family relocated to Los Angeles, California, seeking a safer environment and business opportunities for Francis's art gallery.

At the age of 10, Elizabeth secured her first, albeit uncredited, film role in 'There's One Born Every Minute' (1942) with Universal Pictures. Her initial contract was quickly dropped, with studios considering her too mature looking.

MGM saw potential in Elizabeth and signed her to a contract. Her role as Priscilla in 'Lassie Come Home' (1943) marked a significant step forward, showcasing her natural talent and captivating screen presence.

Elizabeth Taylor achieved widespread recognition and became a child star with her performance in 'National Velvet' (1944). The film's success cemented her status as a promising young actress and a box-office draw.

Following 'National Velvet', Taylor starred in a string of successful films, including 'Courage of Lassie' (1946), 'Life With Father' (1947), and 'Little Women' (1949), solidifying her position as one of Hollywood's most popular and highest-paid child stars. During this period, she was carefully managed by MGM, shaping her image and career trajectory.