Elizabeth Taylor, one of the last great legends of classic Hollywood, began her acting journey as a child and went on to enjoy a remarkable career that lasted more than sixty years. Alongside her professional achievements, her private life was famously turbulent—she walked down the aisle eight times, married seven different men, and raised four children.
When Taylor died in 2011, she left behind a vast estate. Her final husband, Larry Fortensky, has since opened up about the truth of their relationship and what she chose to leave him after her passing.
Born in London on February 27, 1932, to American parents, Taylor relocated with her family to Los Angeles at the outset of World War II. Artistic talent ran in her family—her mother once pursued acting—and young Elizabeth quickly followed that path. She was signed by Universal Studios after an early screen test, making her film debut at age 10 in There’s One Born Every Minute (1942). Roles in Lassie Come Home (1943) and The White Cliffs of Dover (1944) soon followed.
Her breakthrough came at age 12 in National Velvet, which became a box-office sensation. Yet, despite her success, Taylor later recalled her childhood in Hollywood as stifling rather than glamorous. In a 1987 interview, she described the studio system as more of a “factory” than a family, saying she felt exploited from a young age.
Still, Taylor rose above the pressures of early stardom. At 15, she famously stood up to MGM’s Louis B. Mayer after he verbally attacked her mother, refusing ever to return to his office. From there, she blossomed into one of Hollywood’s most respected actresses. She earned two Academy Awards for Butterfield 8 (1960) and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966), and is still remembered for her iconic portrayal of Cleopatra.
Despite her fame, her personal life was often just as dramatic as her films. Her eighth and final marriage was to construction worker Larry Fortensky in 1991. They met three years earlier at the Betty Ford Clinic—she was recovering from prescription medication, and he was seeking help for alcohol. Their wedding, held at Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch, reportedly cost $1.6 million.
Though they divorced in 1996, the two remained close. Fortensky remembers her as warm, funny, and surprisingly carefree—a woman who, despite her status as a global icon, still delighted in simple joys, like making snow angels during a trip to Switzerland. She showered him with extravagant gifts, including a Harley-Davidson and a BMW, though he kept his own presents modest: chocolates, roses, even a pet bunny.
Life in the spotlight was overwhelming for Fortensky, however. Paparazzi followed Taylor everywhere, and he struggled to adjust to constant attention. Still, they maintained a deep bond even after separating, speaking frequently on the phone.
In her final years, Taylor battled numerous health issues, including scoliosis, skin cancer, and complications from congestive heart failure. She underwent more than 30 surgeries over the course of her life. Surrounded by her children and grandchildren, she died at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in March 2011.
After her death, Fortensky revealed that although he received around $1 million when the marriage ended, Taylor added a final gesture of affection: she left him more than $500,000 in her will, a gift meant to honor their enduring friendship. The rest of her estate was divided among her children, while most of her famous jewelry was auctioned to benefit the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation.
Following their split, Fortensky retreated from Hollywood and lived quietly in California, until a severe fall in 1999 drained his savings due to medical expenses. Even so, he has cherished the memory of their time together.
“I loved her. I always will,” he said. “And I know she loved me, too.”
