Elizabeth Taylor's "Elizabeth Takes Off"

Celebrity Life

Elizabeth Taylor's life was as dramatic off-screen as it was on. Her eight marriages to seven men, including two to Richard Burton, were the stuff of Hollywood legend. Michael Hobbes and Aubrey Gordon compare her relationship with Burton to the modern-day saga of Brad and Angelina, noting the public's fascination with their scandalous affair 1. Taylor's friendships with celebrities like Rock Hudson and Montgomery Clift also fueled tabloid speculation, with her ex-husband Nikki Hilton famously quipping, "Every man should have the chance to sleep with Elizabeth Taylor. And at this rate, every man will" 1.

Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor have a famously incredibly chaotic relationship. He repeatedly told her, "You're much too fat, love, but you do have a pretty little face."

--- Aubrey Gordon

These relationships not only shaped her public image but also highlighted the intense scrutiny she faced throughout her life.

   

Marital Struggles

Taylor's marriages were often marred by abuse, both physical and emotional. Her first marriage to Conrad Hilton Jr. was marked by brutal physical abuse, leading to a miscarriage and her eventual departure from the relationship 2. Aubrey Gordon recounts how many of Taylor's husbands were verbally abusive, often mocking her weight and appearance 3. Despite these challenges, Taylor's resilience shone through as she navigated the complexities of her personal life.

Some of those husbands were physically abusive. Most were verbally abusive. Almost all of them picked at her body.

--- Aubrey Gordon

The public's relentless focus on her personal struggles only added to the pressure she faced as a prominent figure in Hollywood.

   

Public Scrutiny

The scrutiny of Taylor's weight was a recurring theme in her life, often used as a tool for public humiliation. Aubrey Gordon highlights how Taylor was subjected to body shaming by both the media and those close to her, including friends who would comment on her eating habits 4. This toxic environment was compounded by public skits and jokes, such as a notorious Saturday Night Live sketch that mocked her weight and personal struggles 5.

Jokes were made about my weight because they got laughs, period.

--- Aubrey Gordon

Despite the ridicule, Taylor's ability to maintain her career and public persona is a testament to her strength and determination.