In the world of Hollywood legends, few have left as indelible a mark as Elizabeth Taylor. Despite the endless headlines and public scrutiny, the iconic star reportedly lived her life without a single regret, according to Nanette Burnstein, director of Elizabeth Taylor: The Lost Tapes. Burnstein shared this insight exclusively with Closer at the Tribeca Film Festival on June 11.
Living Life to the Fullest
“Elizabeth Taylor didn’t shy away from living life to its fullest,” Burnstein revealed. “She embraced every moment, even the mistakes, and learned from them. At the end of the day, she built a life that was nothing short of extraordinary.” Taylor’s life was filled with both triumphs and tribulations, but through it all, she remained unapologetically true to herself.
From Love to Heartbreak
Among the challenges Taylor faced were several high-profile romances and marriages that didn’t last. One of the most infamous unions was her marriage to Conrad “Nicky” Hilton Jr. At first, the wedding seemed like a fairytale come true. “The wedding was lovely,” Taylor recounted in the film, which premieres on HBO on August 3. “But then came the disillusionment. Nick was always in a tantrum, and I couldn’t go back to a life filled with such mental and physical abuse. Our marriage was over before it even truly began.”
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Taylor, who starred in National Velvet, was married to Hilton from 1950 to 1951, marking one of her eight marriages throughout her life. She opened up about the dark side of their relationship, revealing that Hilton’s violent behavior led to a miscarriage. “He would kick me in the stomach, causing me to lose a child,” she said, her words heavy with emotion. “I was in love with the idea of being in love, but the reality was far darker than I could have imagined.”
Elizabeth Taylor and the Media
Taylor became one of the first Hollywood stars whose personal life overshadowed her professional achievements. “She was aware of the media circus surrounding her life,” Burnstein explained. “She once said, ‘I can’t control the media, and I’m not even going to try. People will believe what they want to believe, and you can’t change their minds.’ It was a mindset she embraced and lived with.”
Despite the constant scrutiny, Taylor remained steadfast in her beliefs and choices. “Maybe because of my personal life, people thought I suggested something illicit, but I was never illicit or immoral,” she reflected. “I made mistakes, and I paid for them. I knew I could never fully make up for those mistakes, but that’s not something you can write into a story.”
Marriage to Richard Burton: A Love Story for the Ages
Taylor’s relationship with Richard Burton was one of the most talked-about romances in Hollywood history. They married and divorced twice, but Taylor was determined to make things work. “I know Elizabeth would have tried a third time,” author Kate Andersen Brower told Closer. “I often wondered if she was more committed to him than he was to her.”
Through it all, Taylor remained a devoted mother to her four children: Michael Wilding Jr., Christopher Edward Wilding, Liza Todd, and Maria Burton. Her granddaughter, Naomi deLuce Wilding, spoke fondly of her grandmother’s strength. “Her relationship with her mother, who was very controlling, pushed her into difficult situations,” Naomi said. “But from a young age, she learned her own resilience. That’s how she managed to overcome tragedy and illness. She believed in moving forward no matter what.”
A Charmed Life with Challenges
While Taylor’s life may have seemed charmed on the surface, it wasn’t without its challenges. “In many ways, she had a very privileged life,” Brower noted. “But on the flip side, she had a very sheltered upbringing. She couldn’t experience the normalcy of childhood, and she didn’t have many friends her own age.”
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Even with the challenges, Taylor’s legacy endures as one of resilience, passion, and authenticity. Her ability to live life fully, without regrets, continues to inspire fans around the world.
