Legendary actress Elizabeth Taylor, renowned for her captivating beauty and extraordinary talent, was engaged ten times and married eight times, famously tying the knot twice with Richard Burton. Her life was as glittering as the jewels she received from her suitors, including eight remarkable engagement rings. These rings, alongside other dazzling pieces of jewelry, became symbols of her storied romances and Hollywood legacy.
The Old Hollywood starlet’s collection included standout pieces like a 29.4-carat emerald-cut diamond from producer Mike Todd and a diamond-studded sapphire from actor Michael Wilding. Taylor’s affinity for exquisite jewelry was so profound that her memoir is aptly titled Elizabeth Taylor: My Love Affair With Jewelry. Perhaps the most famous piece in her collection wasn’t an engagement ring but the Taylor-Burton diamond, a million-dollar gift from her fifth husband, Richard Burton.
The Early Years: Young Love and Precious Gems
Elizabeth Taylor received her first engagement ring at just 17, a cushion-cut diamond from William Pawley Jr., although the engagement did not lead to marriage. This ring marked the beginning of a series of engagements that would be defined by both love and lavish jewelry. Her love letters to Pawley, filled with youthful passion, were auctioned for over $48,000 in 2011, revealing the depth of her early romantic experiences.
In 1950, hotel heir Conrad Hilton Jr. presented Taylor with a four-carat diamond set in platinum. Their marriage, however, was short-lived, ending in divorce just eight months later. This period of her life was characterized by rapid changes and the beginning of her journey as a Hollywood icon.
Colorful Stones and Hollywood Glamour
Following her divorce from Hilton, Taylor’s engagement to British actor Michael Wilding brought her first colorful stone: a diamond-studded sapphire. The couple married in London in 1952 and had two sons during their five-year union. This engagement marked a shift towards more vibrant and unique pieces, reflecting Taylor’s evolving style and status.
Perhaps the most iconic of Taylor’s engagement rings came from producer Mike Todd. The 29.4-carat emerald-cut diamond, which she affectionately referred to as her “ice skating rink,” was a testament to Todd’s deep affection for her. Tragically, Todd died in a plane crash in 1958, leaving Taylor with both cherished memories and some of her most famous jewels.
Beyond Rings: A Legacy of Love and Jewelry
Elizabeth Taylor’s subsequent engagements often featured jewelry other than rings, showcasing her unique style and the creativity of her suitors. Eddie Fisher, for example, proposed with a bracelet featuring 50 diamonds, while Richard Burton gifted her an emerald Bulgari brooch instead of a traditional engagement ring. Burton’s gifts also included the Krupp Diamond, now known as the Elizabeth Taylor Diamond, which sold for $8.8 million in 2011.
Her marriage to John Warner, a future U.S. Senator, was marked by a trinity ring adorned with diamonds, emeralds, and rubies. This engagement highlighted Taylor’s adaptability and her ability to navigate both Hollywood and political circles with grace and elegance.
The Final Chapters: Enduring Love and Reflection
In the later years of her life, Taylor continued to receive stunning engagement rings, including a 16-carat sapphire from Victor Luna and a sapphire and diamond ring from Dennis Stein. Her final marriage to Larry Fortensky in 1991 was marked by a simple pavé diamond band, symbolizing a more understated chapter in her life.
Reflecting on her numerous marriages and engagements, Taylor once told Barbara Walters, “When I have fallen in love, it’s always ended up being a marrying kind of love.” Her journey through love and jewelry remains a testament to her enduring allure and the indelible mark she left on Hollywood and beyond.
As her collection was auctioned off in 2011, fetching nearly $116 million, it became clear that Elizabeth Taylor’s legacy was as much about her iconic jewelry as it was about her illustrious career and vibrant life. Her story continues to captivate, reminding us of the timeless allure of Hollywood’s golden age.
