People News

Violet eyes, loyal friend and a tempestuous love life, Elizabeth will be missed

By April MacIntyre Mar 23, 2011, 16:00 GMT

A black and white picture dated 10 February 1972 shows US-British actress Elizabeth Taylor (R) with her husband British actor Richard Burton - Taylor died of congestive heart failure at the age of 79 at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles, USA. EPA/ANDOR TORMAI

Most everyone can remember the moment in time they became aware of actress Elizabeth Taylor.

For me, it was seeing the glamorous life she led with her biggest love, Richard Burton, as a kid thumbing the pages of Look and Life magazine back in the late 1960's and early 1970s.

Then, her role as Cleopatra in the eponymous 1963 film that introduced her to Richard Burton, and the gritty black and white film directed by Mike Nichols, "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf" that paired her again with her handsome Welshman in a study of marital rage and resignation, convinced me she was as talented an actor as she was known for her great beauty.

Elizabeth Taylor loved people and was kind to everyone. A police officer, Glenn Goodnight of Houston, Texas, once regaled me with the story of his surprise meeting of Dame Elizabeth back in the late 1970's. "She looked up at me with those eyes and said my name, 'Officer Goodnight, that is your name? So pleased to meet you sir,' with a devilish smile."

Dame Elizabeth Taylor died early this morning at the age of 79 of congestive heart failure at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

Taylor's family released the following statement:

    "My Mother was an extraordinary woman who lived life to the fullest, with great passion, humor, and love. Though her loss is devastating to those of us who held her so close and so dear, we will always be inspired by her enduring contribution to our world. Her remarkable body of work in film, her ongoing success as a businesswoman, and her brave and relentless advocacy in the fight against HIV/AIDS, all make us all incredibly proud of what she accomplished. We know, quite simply, that the world is a better place for Mom having lived in it. Her legacy will never fade, her spirit will always be with us, and her love will live forever in our hearts."

Elizabeth had her children by her side: Michael Wilding, Christopher Wilding, Liza Todd and Maria Burton. She leaves 10 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.

One of the earliest stars to stand up and fight for AIDS patients and raise money for research, Elizabeth Taylor never tired of being a champion of the cause.  She was an exceptional human being.