Childhood and Education Journey of Elizabeth Taylor in Timeline
Discover the defining moments in the early life of Elizabeth Taylor. From birth to education, explore key events.
Elizabeth Taylor was a celebrated British-American actress who rose to fame as a child star during the Golden Age of Hollywood. She became one of the most popular and highest-paid actresses in the 1950s and 1960s, remaining a prominent public figure throughout her life. Recognized for her beauty and acting talent, the American Film Institute ranked her among the greatest female screen legends.
1925: Publication of An American Tragedy
In 1925, Theodore Dreiser's novel, "An American Tragedy", was published. This novel served as the basis for the 1951 film "A Place in the Sun" starring Elizabeth Taylor.
1929: Move to London and Art Gallery Opening
In 1929, Elizabeth Taylor's parents moved to London and opened an art gallery on Bond Street; their first child, Howard, was born the same year.
1931: Release of A Free Soul
In 1931, the pre-code drama "A Free Soul" was released. This film was later remade as "The Girl Who Had Everything" starring Elizabeth Taylor in 1953.
February 1932: Elizabeth Taylor's Birth
In February 1932, Elizabeth Rosemond Taylor was born in London, England and received dual British-American citizenship at birth.
February 27, 1932: Birth of Elizabeth Taylor
On February 27, 1932, Elizabeth Rosemond Taylor was born in London, England.
1935: Publication of Butterfield 8 Novel
In 1935, John O'Hara published the novel "Butterfield 8", which was later adapted into the 1960 film starring Elizabeth Taylor.
April 1939: Taylor family leaves for the US
In April 1939, due to fear of impending war in Europe, Sara Taylor and her children left London aboard the ocean liner SS Manhattan and moved in with Taylor's maternal grandfather in Pasadena, California.
1939: Move to Los Angeles
In 1939, at the age of 7, Elizabeth Taylor moved with her family from London to Los Angeles.
1940: Opening of New Art Gallery in Los Angeles
In early 1940, after arriving in the US, Francis Taylor opened a new art gallery in Los Angeles and the Taylor family settled in Beverly Hills, California.
1944: Back Injury During Filming
In 1944, Elizabeth Taylor broke her back while filming National Velvet. The fracture went undetected for several years and caused her chronic back problems.
1947: Cultivating a Mature Public Image
In 1947, when Elizabeth Taylor turned 15, MGM began to cultivate a more mature public image for her. She starred in the critically panned "Cynthia" and the period film "Life with Father".
1948: Dating Glenn Davis
In 1948, MGM arranged for Elizabeth Taylor to date American football champion Glenn Davis, and she announced plans to marry him after his return from Korea.
May 6, 1950: Marriage to Conrad "Nicky" Hilton Jr.
On May 6, 1950, at the age of 18, Elizabeth Taylor married Conrad "Nicky" Hilton Jr., heir to the Hilton Hotels chain, in a large, highly publicized wedding organized by MGM.
December 14, 1950: Separation from Conrad Hilton
On December 14, 1950, Elizabeth Taylor announced her separation from Conrad "Nicky" Hilton Jr. due to incompatibility and his abusive behavior.
January 1951: Divorce from Conrad Hilton
In January 1951, Elizabeth Taylor divorced Conrad Hilton after only eight months of marriage, causing a public scandal that reflected negatively on her.
January 29, 1951: Divorce from Conrad Hilton
On January 29, 1951, Elizabeth Taylor was granted a divorce from Conrad "Nicky" Hilton Jr. on the grounds of mental cruelty, eight months after their wedding.
1951: A Place in the Sun Release and Marriage Scandal
In 1951, Elizabeth Taylor starred in "A Place in the Sun", marking a significant departure from her earlier roles and earning her critical acclaim. Also in January 1951, her divorce from Hilton after only eight months of marriage caused a public scandal.
February 21, 1952: Marriage to Michael Wilding
On February 21, 1952, Elizabeth Taylor married British actor Michael Wilding in a low-key ceremony in London.
1952: Signing a New Contract with MGM
In the summer of 1952, Elizabeth Taylor signed a new seven-year contract with MGM, influenced by her marriage to Michael Wilding and her pregnancy. This granted her a weekly salary of $4,700, and included a loan for a house and a contract for her husband.
January 6, 1953: Birth of son, Michael Howard
On January 6, 1953, Elizabeth Taylor and Michael Wilding had their first son, Michael Howard.
1954: Releases of Beau Brummell and The Last Time I Saw Paris
In the fall of 1954, Elizabeth Taylor starred in two more film releases, "Beau Brummell", which she disliked, and "The Last Time I Saw Paris", which she liked. She also became pregnant again during production.
February 27, 1955: Birth of son, Christopher Edward
On February 27, 1955, which was also Elizabeth Taylor's 23rd birthday, she and Michael Wilding had their second son, Christopher Edward.
July 18, 1956: Separation from Michael Wilding
On July 18, 1956, Elizabeth Taylor and Michael Wilding announced their separation due to marital strife and his failing career.
1956: Spinal Disc Operation
In 1956, Elizabeth Taylor underwent an operation in which some of her spinal discs were removed and replaced with donated bone to address back problems.
January 26, 1957: Divorce from Michael Wilding
On January 26, 1957, Elizabeth Taylor and Michael Wilding were divorced.
June 1957: Mike Todd's birthday party
In June 1957, Mike Todd threw Elizabeth Taylor a birthday party at Madison Square Garden with 18,000 guests, broadcast on CBS.
August 6, 1957: Birth of daughter, Elizabeth "Liza" Frances
On August 6, 1957, Elizabeth Taylor and Mike Todd welcomed their daughter, Elizabeth "Liza" Frances.
March 1958: Death of Mike Todd and Filming Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
In March 1958, Elizabeth Taylor was filming "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" when her husband, Mike Todd, died in a plane crash. Despite her devastation, she returned to work only three weeks later.
March 1958: Death of Mike Todd
In March 1958, Elizabeth Taylor's husband, Mike Todd, died in a plane crash, leaving her devastated.
May 12, 1959: Marriage to Eddie Fisher
On May 12, 1959, Elizabeth Taylor married Eddie Fisher at the Temple Beth Sholom in Las Vegas.
1959: Purchase of Israeli bonds
In 1959, Elizabeth Taylor purchased $100,000 worth of Israeli bonds, leading to her films being banned by Arab countries.
1959: Conversion to Judaism
In 1959, Elizabeth Taylor, raised as a Christian Scientist, converted to Judaism, stating she had wanted to do so for a long time.
March 1961: Taylor's Illness During Cleopatra Filming
In March 1961, during the filming of "Cleopatra", Elizabeth Taylor developed nearly fatal pneumonia, necessitating a tracheotomy. There were even erroneous reports of her death.
1961: Near-Fatal Pneumonia
In 1961, Elizabeth Taylor survived a near-fatal bout of pneumonia that required a tracheotomy. She was treated for the pneumonia with bacteriophage.
March 5, 1964: Divorce from Eddie Fisher
On March 5, 1964, Elizabeth Taylor was granted a divorce from Eddie Fisher in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
1968: Emergency Hysterectomy
In 1968, Elizabeth Taylor underwent an emergency hysterectomy, which exacerbated her back problems and contributed to hip problems.
1968: Death of Francis Lenn Taylor
In 1968, Francis Lenn Taylor, Elizabeth Taylor's father, passed away.
June 1974: First Divorce from Richard Burton
In June 1974, Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton divorced for the first time.
October 1975: Remarriage to Richard Burton
In October 1975, Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton remarried in Kasane, Botswana.
1975: Protest against UN resolution
In 1975, Elizabeth Taylor signed a letter protesting the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 3379, which she felt was unfair to Israel.
July 1976: Second divorce from Richard Burton
In July 1976, Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton divorced for the second and final time.
December 1976: Marriage to John Warner
In December 1976, Elizabeth Taylor married John Warner, a Republican politician from Virginia.
1976: Offer to replace hostages in Entebbe skyjacking
In 1976, Elizabeth Taylor offered herself as a replacement hostage after more than 100 Israeli civilians were taken hostage in the Entebbe skyjacking.
December 1981: Separation from John Warner
In December 1981, Elizabeth Taylor and John Warner separated.
1981: Narration of 'Genocide'
In 1981, Elizabeth Taylor narrated Genocide, an Academy Award-winning documentary about the Holocaust.
November 1982: Divorce from John Warner
In November 1982, Elizabeth Taylor and John Warner divorced.
1982: Residence in Bel Air
In 1982, Elizabeth Taylor began living at 700 Nimes Road in the Bel Air district of Los Angeles.
December 1983: Treatment at Betty Ford Center
In December 1983, Elizabeth Taylor was treated at the Betty Ford Center for seven weeks for addiction to alcohol and prescription pain killers and tranquilizers, becoming the first celebrity to openly admit herself to the clinic.
1983: Engagement to Victor Luna
In 1983, Elizabeth Taylor was engaged to Mexican lawyer Victor Luna.
January 1984: Treatment at Betty Ford Center
In January 1984, Elizabeth Taylor continued her treatment at the Betty Ford Center, where she had been admitted in December 1983, for addiction to alcohol and prescription pain killers and tranquilizers.
1984: Engagement to Victor Luna
In 1984, Elizabeth Taylor was engaged to Mexican lawyer Victor Luna.
1985: Co-founded American Foundation for AIDS Research
In 1985, Elizabeth Taylor co-founded the American Foundation for AIDS Research.
1985: Engagement to Dennis Stein
In 1985, Elizabeth Taylor was engaged to New York businessman Dennis Stein.
1988: Rehabilitation and Publication of 'Elizabeth Takes Off'
In 1988, Elizabeth Taylor entered rehabilitation again after relapsing from addiction. She also published a diet book about her experiences with weight management, titled Elizabeth Takes Off (1988).
1988: Meeting Larry Fortensky at the Betty Ford Center
In 1988, Elizabeth Taylor met her seventh and last husband, construction worker Larry Fortensky, at the Betty Ford Center.
1990: Severe Pneumonia and Ceasing Smoking
In 1990, Elizabeth Taylor experienced a severe bout of pneumonia and subsequently quit smoking.
1990: Serious Bout of Pneumonia
In 1990, Elizabeth Taylor suffered a serious bout of pneumonia, contributing to her declining health in the last two decades of her life.
October 6, 1991: Marriage to Larry Fortensky
On October 6, 1991, Elizabeth Taylor married Larry Fortensky at Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch.
1994: Death of Sara Sothern
In 1994, Sara Sothern, Elizabeth Taylor's mother, passed away.
October 31, 1996: Divorce from Larry Fortensky
On October 31, 1996, Elizabeth Taylor and Larry Fortensky divorced, but remained in contact.
1996: Reduced Public Appearances
After 1996, Elizabeth Taylor's health increasingly declined, and she rarely attended public events.
1997: Surgery for Benign Brain Tumor
In 1997, Elizabeth Taylor underwent surgery for a benign brain tumor.
1999: Fortensky's brain surgery
In 1999, Larry Fortensky underwent brain surgery after falling off a balcony; Elizabeth Taylor guaranteed his medical expenses.
2000: Another Bout of Pneumonia
In 2000, Elizabeth Taylor experienced another serious bout of pneumonia.
2002: Successful Treatment for Skin Cancer
In 2002, Elizabeth Taylor had successful treatment for skin cancer.
2004: Diagnosis of Congestive Heart Failure
In 2004, Elizabeth Taylor was diagnosed with congestive heart failure and was using a wheelchair due to back problems.
2010: Letter to Larry Fortensky
At the end of 2010, Elizabeth Taylor wrote Larry Fortensky a letter expressing that he was a part of her life she would never wish to carve out.
February 7, 2011: Last phone call with Larry Fortensky
On February 7, 2011, one day before checking into the hospital for her final stay, Elizabeth Taylor had her last phone call with Larry Fortensky.
2020: Death of Howard Taylor
In 2020, Howard Taylor, Elizabeth Taylor's brother, died.
2024: Value of wedding pictures
In 1991, Elizabeth Taylor sold the wedding pictures to People for $1 million (equivalent to $2.31 million in 2024)
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