Elizabeth Taylor, one of Hollywood’s most dazzling and enduring icons, was known worldwide for her mesmerizing violet eyes and legendary beauty.

With a career spanning over half a century and nearly 70 films, she captivated audiences and critics alike.

Yet behind the glitz, glamour, and seven high-profile marriages to powerful men, there lay a hidden chapter of her life — a chapter of secret romances with women that Hollywood tried to keep buried.

These relationships reveal a complex, passionate woman who defied conventions and loved without limits.

 

Born Elizabeth Rosemond Taylor on February 27, 1932, in Hampstead, London, her family relocated to Los Angeles during World War II, a move that would shape her destiny.

As a child, Elizabeth’s natural beauty was striking — porcelain skin, thick black hair, and rare double eyelashes framing her violet eyes.

By age 10, she had already appeared in her first film, *There’s One Born Every Minute* (1942), and at 12, she skyrocketed to fame with *National Velvet*, cementing her status as a child prodigy.

 

Her career flourished through the 1950s and ’60s, with iconic roles in *Cat on a Hot Tin Roof*, *Butterfield 8*, and *Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?*, earning her two Academy Awards for Best Actress.

The monumental *Cleopatra* not only showcased her talent but made her the first actress to command a seven-figure salary, forever changing Hollywood’s landscape.

While Elizabeth Taylor’s public life was marked by marriages to men like Mike Todd, Eddie Fisher, and Richard Burton, her private life included intense, sometimes hidden, relationships with women — friendships and romances that Hollywood’s rigid norms tried to erase.

 

One of the most profound was with Ava Gardner, a fiercely independent actress known for her wild spirit.

Their attraction was born from contrast — Ava’s untamed nature versus Elizabeth’s aristocratic elegance.

In 1963, amid personal turmoil, Elizabeth fled to Ava’s villa in Spain, spending three secret days away from the public eye.

This escape was so meaningful that Elizabeth returned four unworn dresses with a note saying she had found something more beautiful than any gown.

 

Their relationship remained a secret, fiercely guarded. When rumors of love letters surfaced in 1966, Elizabeth paid a hefty sum to suppress the scandal.

Decades later, Elizabeth visited Ava during her final illness, leaving a sealed letter that Ava treasured until her death.

This love, powerful and agonizing, was a hidden cornerstone of Elizabeth’s life.

Another legendary figure in Elizabeth’s life was Greta Garbo, the famously reclusive Swedish actress.

In 1957, at a star-studded Beverly Hills party, the two icons shared a rare, intimate moment.

After a whispered conversation, Garbo kissed Elizabeth’s cheek — a gesture Elizabeth boldly transformed into a kiss on the lips, witnessed only by a passing waiter.

This silent, respectful kiss symbolized a bond that transcended words, leaving a lasting impression on Elizabeth.

 

Despite sending several heartfelt letters, Elizabeth never received a reply from Garbo, who remained an enigma.

This unfulfilled connection left a wound Elizabeth carried throughout her life.

 

Elizabeth’s relationship with Marilyn Monroe, Hollywood’s ultimate blonde bombshell, was marked by mutual admiration and intimacy.

At a private 1956 party, the two retreated to a secluded library where they shared a week of freedom from the spotlight in Paris.

Marilyn confided in close friends about a tender night with Elizabeth, describing her as gentle and respectful.

Though neither publicly defined their relationship, unpublished memoirs and close acquaintances hint at a love that was deep yet unspoken — two women who simply needed to be loved beyond Hollywood’s harsh labels.

 

Perhaps the most fiery and reckless romance was with Tallulah Bankhead, a Southern actress known for her wild lifestyle and unabashed sexuality.

At the 1961 Oscars, Tallulah, dressed in a tuxedo, boldly threatened to kiss Elizabeth in front of all Hollywood.

The kiss, filled with electric tension, reportedly lasted long enough to silence the crowd.

 

Though never confirmed as lovers, their connection was intense.

Elizabeth disappeared with Tallulah after the ceremony, spending the night together in a penthouse.

Tallulah described their affair as a “blazing accident,” a passionate but destructive fire that Elizabeth never spoke of again.

 

Unlike the others, Edith Head was not a lover but a lifelong emotional anchor.

As Hollywood’s greatest costume designer, Edith shaped Elizabeth’s iconic image — from Cleopatra’s gowns to her signature purple hues.

Behind the scenes, Edith’s affection for Elizabeth was profound and unrequited.

 

She cared for Elizabeth with quiet devotion, adjusting dresses and brushing hair, always present but never claiming more than silent admiration.

Elizabeth acknowledged Edith’s unique role, crediting her not just for style but for understanding her deeply.

A small, unframed photo of Elizabeth found in Edith’s private archives symbolizes this lifelong, wordless love.

 

Elizabeth’s eight marriages to seven men were often turbulent.

From her first brief marriage to the abusive hotel heir Nicky Hilton to her passionate, stormy relationship with Richard Burton, her romantic life was as dramatic as her films.

She endured heartbreak, loss, and scandal but remained fiercely devoted to her children and family.

Her marriage to Mike Todd ended tragically when he died in a plane crash, plunging Elizabeth into deep grief.

Later, her love affair with Eddie Fisher caused a media frenzy, but it was her relationship with Burton that defined much of her adult life — a love so intense it was both her greatest joy and deepest pain.

 

In the 1980s, Elizabeth Taylor emerged as a courageous advocate for the LGBTQ+ community and AIDS research.

At a time when stigma and silence surrounded the epidemic, she used her fame to raise awareness and funds, co-founding the American Foundation for AIDS Research and organizing landmark events.

 

Her activism was deeply personal; she lost many friends to AIDS and refused to let their stories go unheard.

Elizabeth’s efforts helped change public perception and policy, making her one of the most powerful voices of compassion and change in Hollywood.

 

Elizabeth Taylor’s later years were marked by health struggles, including heart failure and numerous surgeries, but her spirit remained unbroken.

She continued to make rare public appearances, always with her trademark sparkle and wit.

When she passed away in 2011 at age 79, her funeral was a quiet affair, reflecting a life lived on her own terms.

She was laid to rest alongside Michael Jackson, her spiritual son, in a serene tribute to her enduring impact.

 

Elizabeth Taylor was more than a movie star; she was a complex woman who defied societal norms, loved fiercely regardless of gender, and fought tirelessly for those marginalized by society.

Her secret loves with women reveal a side of her that Hollywood tried to erase but which adds depth to her legacy.

 

Her story is one of beauty, passion, heartbreak, and resilience — a reminder that love transcends labels and that true courage lies in living authentically.

Elizabeth Taylor’s violet eyes will forever shine as a symbol of a woman who lived boldly, loved deeply, and changed the world.

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