It has been nearly nine years since Elizabeth Taylor died of congestive heart failure, at the age of 79 – but her legacy continues. The actress who was born in Hampstead Garden, London, was ranked the seventh greatest female screen legend of all time. In her heyday, she was paid a then-record-breaking $1million (£777,000) to star in biggest hit ‘Cleopatra’, clashed with Marilyn Monroe for the Hollywood spotlight and lived a lavish jetset lifestyle. The talented thespian was instantly recognisable for her performances and stunning good looks – but in archive photographs the then-starlet looks a little less familiar.
Elizabeth’s life was equally prolific on-and-off-screen, over her lifetime she got married eight times to seven different men and relished in her hard-earned wealth.
Her extravagant spending included amassing one of the most expensive jewellery collections in the world.
She also hit the headlines for her extramarital affair with acting co-star Richard Burton – who she would controversially wed and later divorce.
The pair starred in 11 films together most notably including: ‘Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?’, ‘The Taming of the Shrew’, ‘The Sandpiper’ and ‘V.I.P.s’.
The actress was born to American parents living in London and quickly rose to success stateside.
In later life, after the decline of her film career, she became a staunch figure in the world of HIV/AIDS activism.
She would even go onto co-found The American Foundation for AIDS Research, in 1985.
Her philanthropic work would be recognised by her birth country and the US.
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Captured in other seductive poses, she is pictured in a skimpy bikini top posing for the camera, while on the set of the movie ‘Giant’ – which was released in 1956.
While on-set for the film ‘Suddenly Last Summer’, she oozes charisma in saucy beach shots on the sand and in the sea.
Another showed the rising star posed in a black leotard with fishnet stockings and sat on a white chair.
Alongside Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth was considered one of the sex symbols of her time.
The pin-up pair regularly fought one another for the bigger headlines and higher acclaim in Hollywood – and the world.
After Marilyn’s tragic suicide in 1962, Elizabeth would continue to carry on for the two of them.
Later in life, at the age of 69, she was recognised for her work in the cinema while being presented with her Presidential Citizens Medal.
It was said that she played “some of the most memorable characters in film history”.
Away from acting, they also referenced the philanthropic and humanitarian work she had championed.
