Challenges Faced by Elizabeth Taylor: Obstacles and Turning Points
Resilience and perseverance in the journey of Elizabeth Taylor. A timeline of obstacles and growth.
Elizabeth Taylor, a British-American actress, started as a child star in the 1940s and rose to prominence during Hollywood's golden age in the 1950s. By the 1960s, she became the highest-paid movie star globally, maintaining her celebrity status throughout her life. The American Film Institute recognized her legacy by ranking her among the greatest female screen legends.
December 14, 1950: Separation from Nicky Hilton Jr.
On December 14, 1950, Elizabeth Taylor announced her separation from Nicky Hilton Jr., realizing she had made a mistake due to their incompatibility and his abusive behavior.
July 18, 1956: Separation from Michael Wilding
On July 18, 1956, Elizabeth Taylor and Michael Wilding announced their separation. The separation was due to their growing apart and issues related to Wilding's failing career.
March 1958: Mike Todd's Death and filming Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
In March 1958, after completing two weeks of filming Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Elizabeth Taylor's husband, Mike Todd, was killed in a plane crash. She returned to work three weeks later.
1960: Starring in BUtterfield 8
In 1960, Elizabeth Taylor starred in BUtterfield 8. She hated the film, but won her first Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance.
March 1961: Near-Fatal Pneumonia
In March 1961, Elizabeth Taylor developed nearly fatal pneumonia during the filming of Cleopatra, requiring a tracheotomy.
1963: Box-Office Success of 'Cleopatra' and Negative Reviews
In 1963, "Cleopatra" became the biggest box-office success in the United States, but received mixed to negative reviews.
1968: Starring in Boom! and Secret Ceremony
In 1968, Elizabeth Taylor starred in two films directed by Joseph Losey: Boom! and Secret Ceremony. Both films were commercial and critical failures. Boom! features Taylor as an aging, serial-marrying millionaire, while Secret Ceremony is a psychological drama co-starring Mia Farrow and Robert Mitchum.
1970: Starring in The Only Game in Town
In 1970, Elizabeth Taylor starred in The Only Game in Town, directed by George Stevens. In the film, Taylor played a Las Vegas showgirl involved with a compulsive gambler, played by Warren Beatty. However, the film was unsuccessful.
1974: Release of The Driver's Seat
In 1974, Elizabeth Taylor's film The Driver's Seat, an adaptation of Muriel Spark's novel, was released but was a failure.
1976: Participating in The Blue Bird and Victory at Entebbe
In 1976, Elizabeth Taylor participated in the Soviet-American fantasy film The Blue Bird, which was a critical and commercial failure. She also had a small role in the television film Victory at Entebbe.
1977: Singing in A Little Night Music
In 1977, Elizabeth Taylor sang in the critically panned film adaptation of Stephen Sondheim's musical A Little Night Music.
December 1981: Separation from John Warner
In December 1981, Elizabeth Taylor and John Warner separated. Her life as a politician's wife in Washington, D.C. had become boring and lonely, leading to depression and addiction.
December 1983: Entered Betty Ford Center
In December 1983, Elizabeth Taylor entered the Betty Ford Center for seven weeks to treat her addiction to alcohol and prescription drugs.
1983: Revival of Private Lives and dissolution of theater company
In early 1983, Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton starred in a revival of Noël Coward's comedy Private Lives, which received negative reviews. Following the play's run, Taylor entered rehab and Burton died the following year. After the failure of Private Lives, Taylor dissolved her theater company.
January 1984: Finished first stay at Betty Ford Center
In January 1984, Elizabeth Taylor completed her seven-week stay at the Betty Ford Center, openly admitting herself to the clinic for addiction treatment.
1990: Severe bout of pneumonia
In 1990, Elizabeth Taylor experienced a severe bout of pneumonia, which led her to quit smoking.
1997: Surgery for benign brain tumor
In 1997, Elizabeth Taylor underwent surgery for a benign brain tumor.
2000: Second bout of pneumonia
In 2000, Elizabeth Taylor experienced another serious bout of pneumonia.
2002: Successful treatment for skin cancer
In 2002, Elizabeth Taylor received successful treatment for skin cancer.
2004: Diagnosed with congestive heart failure
In 2004, Elizabeth Taylor was diagnosed with congestive heart failure.
