Elizabeth Taylor, the iconic Hollywood actress, had seven husbands in her lifetime, but eight weddings. She was married to Welsh actor Richard Burton twice, and famously defended her record when asked about it.
Taylor was born in London in 1932, and moved to Los Angeles with her family at the age of seven. She began her acting career at the age of nine, and quickly rose to fame as a child star. She went on to become one of the most successful actresses of her time, with roles in films such as Cleopatra, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
Taylor’s first marriage was to hotel heir Conrad Hilton Jr. in 1950, when she was just 18. The marriage lasted less than a year, and Taylor later said that she had been too young to understand the concept of marriage.
Taylor’s second marriage was to actor Michael Wilding in 1952. The couple had two sons together, but divorced in 1957. Taylor’s third marriage was to producer Mike Todd in 1957, and the couple had one daughter. Todd died in a plane crash in 1958, and Taylor later said that she had never gotten over his death.
Taylor’s fourth marriage was to singer Eddie Fisher in 1959. The couple had one daughter, but divorced in 1964 after Fisher had an affair with actress Debbie Reynolds. Taylor’s fifth marriage was to Richard Burton in 1964, and the couple had a famously tumultuous relationship. They divorced in 1974, but remarried in 1975. They divorced again in 1976.
Taylor’s sixth marriage was to politician John Warner in 1976. The couple divorced in 1982. Taylor’s seventh and final marriage was to construction worker Larry Fortensky in 1991. The couple divorced in 1996.
Throughout her life, Taylor was open about her marriages and her relationships. When asked about her record of seven husbands, she famously replied, “I’ve only slept with men I’ve been married to. How many women can make that claim?” Taylor passed away in 2011 at the age of 79.
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