Elizabeth Taylor’s Golden Era: The Love of Her Life
Elizabeth Taylor, one of Hollywood’s most iconic figures, led a life filled with glamour, heartbreak, and triumph. But if you ask those who knew her best, she was at her happiest during her time with Mike Todd. “There’s no question about it,” says Nanette Burstein, the director of the HBO documentary Elizabeth Taylor: The Lost Tapes, in an exclusive interview with Closer at the film’s North American premiere during the Tribeca Film Festival.
Burstein goes on to explain why Todd was such a pivotal figure in Taylor’s life. “Mike Todd wasn’t just her husband; he was her rock. He gave her the confidence she needed to shine both personally and professionally. He made her feel special, like she could conquer the world. Their love was genuine, and it showed in every moment they shared. Unfortunately, their time together was tragically cut short when Todd died in a plane crash, leaving Taylor devastated.”
The Year That Changed Everything
Despite their marriage lasting only a year, Taylor and Todd’s bond was profound. It was a love that Taylor carried with her throughout her life. In her 1988 memoir, Elizabeth Takes Off, Taylor opened up about the impact Todd had on her life. “God, I loved him,” she wrote. “Under his loving care, my self-esteem skyrocketed. I felt invincible, like I could take on the world. Losing him was like losing a part of myself.”
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After Todd’s death, Taylor found herself in a deep emotional abyss. “I honestly didn’t think I could survive without him,” she admitted. “There was a part of me that didn’t care if I made it through. His passing left a void that nothing could fill.”
A Life of Love and Loss
Over the course of her career, Taylor married eight times to seven different men, a testament to her search for love and fulfillment. Despite these numerous marriages, none compared to the love she shared with Mike Todd. Taylor’s final marriage was to Larry Fortensky, but they divorced before her passing in 2011 at the age of 79, succumbing to congestive heart failure.
For fans eager to learn more about Taylor’s life, Elizabeth Taylor: The Lost Tapes will premiere on HBO on August 3. This documentary provides a unique perspective on Taylor’s life, using her own words to paint a vivid picture of her journey. “Elizabeth recorded these tapes with the intention of writing an autobiography, so she felt comfortable sharing deeply personal thoughts,” Burstein explains. “She was incredibly candid, revealing insecurities that many wouldn’t expect from a megastar. Despite her fame, she often worried about being respected as an actress rather than just a pretty face—a testament to the sexism of the era.”
Burstein also highlights Taylor’s traditional views on relationships. “She gravitated toward men who were dominant, reflecting a more conventional approach to partnerships. Yet, despite the challenges of fame, she found a way to use her platform for good, raising millions for AIDS research and advocacy when it was still a taboo subject.”
