Elizabeth Taylor.Photo: Express Newspapers/Hulton Archive/Getty
Known for her violet eyes, raven locks and wasp waist,Elizabeth Taylormade a splash early in Hollywood as a strong beauty who favored feminine dresses.But as her star continued to rise, she became known for so much more: heracting, herhusbands, her fashion and perhaps most notably, her incredible jewelry collection.As we remember the legendary actress on what would have been her 92nd birthday, revisit some of her most iconic looks and sparkling gems.
Known for her violet eyes, raven locks and wasp waist,Elizabeth Taylormade a splash early in Hollywood as a strong beauty who favored feminine dresses.
But as her star continued to rise, she became known for so much more: heracting, herhusbands, her fashion and perhaps most notably, her incredible jewelry collection.
As we remember the legendary actress on what would have been her 92nd birthday, revisit some of her most iconic looks and sparkling gems.
01of 16Best in ShowA young Elizabeth Taylor.APA year before her iconic role inFather of the Bride, the 17-year-old presented the 1949 Academy Award for Best Costume in an antebellum-style tiered gown.
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Best in Show
A young Elizabeth Taylor.AP
A year before her iconic role inFather of the Bride, the 17-year-old presented the 1949 Academy Award for Best Costume in an antebellum-style tiered gown.
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Good Company
A young Elizabeth Taylor.Popperfoto/Getty
03of 16Belle of the BallA young Elizabeth Taylor.Loomis Dean/Time Life Pictures/GettyWith the aptly titledThe Girl Who Had Everythingin theaters in 1953, Taylor made her way back tothe Oscarsin another full-skirted gown. The actress would have to wait eight more years before receiving her own statuette.
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Belle of the Ball
A young Elizabeth Taylor.Loomis Dean/Time Life Pictures/Getty
With the aptly titledThe Girl Who Had Everythingin theaters in 1953, Taylor made her way back tothe Oscarsin another full-skirted gown. The actress would have to wait eight more years before receiving her own statuette.
04of 16Wild ChildA young Elizabeth Taylor with her son.EverettThe actress posed with her son, Michael Wilding Jr., in matching leopard swimsuits in the mid ’50s. Taylor would make a little white bathing suit famous a few years later in the movieSuddenly, Last Summer.
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Wild Child
A young Elizabeth Taylor with her son.Everett
The actress posed with her son, Michael Wilding Jr., in matching leopard swimsuits in the mid ’50s. Taylor would make a little white bathing suit famous a few years later in the movieSuddenly, Last Summer.
05of 16Hats All, FolksA young Elizabeth Taylor.APTaylor got ready to board a flight to Mexico City with her third husband, Michael Todd, in a sharp suit and an exotic take on the pillbox hat in 1957.
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Hats All, Folks
Taylor got ready to board a flight to Mexico City with her third husband, Michael Todd, in a sharp suit and an exotic take on the pillbox hat in 1957.
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Winner’s Circle
Elizabeth Taylor and Eddie Fisher.Darlene Hammond/Hulton Archive/Getty
07of 16Shake It OffElizabeth Taylor.Mirrorpix/EverettThe actress cut loose with legendary ballet dancer Rudolph Nureyev in a swinging ’60s feathered dress.
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Shake It Off
Elizabeth Taylor.Mirrorpix/Everett
The actress cut loose with legendary ballet dancer Rudolph Nureyev in a swinging ’60s feathered dress.
08of 16Diamond DazzlerElizabeth Taylor.Express Newspapers/Hulton Archive/GettyTaylor’s fifth husband Richard Burton managed to top even the 29-carat diamond ring she received from third husband Michael Todd, purchasing her the 33-carat Krupp diamond, which she once called “an extraordinary stone.”
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Diamond Dazzler
Elizabeth Taylor.Express Newspapers/Hulton Archive/Getty
Taylor’s fifth husband Richard Burton managed to top even the 29-carat diamond ring she received from third husband Michael Todd, purchasing her the 33-carat Krupp diamond, which she once called “an extraordinary stone.”
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Leafy Lady
Elizabeth Taylor.Gianni Bozzacchi/Rex USA
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Leg Up
Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton.Popperfoto/Getty
11of 16Tough TimesElizabeth Taylor.Michael Ochs Archives/GettyTaylor continued her short-shorts love with this sailor top, studded belt and bouffant hairdo in ‘71.
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Tough Times
Elizabeth Taylor.Michael Ochs Archives/Getty
Taylor continued her short-shorts love with this sailor top, studded belt and bouffant hairdo in ‘71.
12of 16Girl’s Best FriendElizabeth Taylor.Forum Press/Rex USAThe couple caused an international sensation when Burton purchased a 69-carat diamond for Taylor for more than $1 million as a 40th birthday present. The actress had it set into a necklace, and the gem was re-named the “Taylor-Burton” diamond.
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Girl’s Best Friend
Elizabeth Taylor.Forum Press/Rex USA
The couple caused an international sensation when Burton purchased a 69-carat diamond for Taylor for more than $1 million as a 40th birthday present. The actress had it set into a necklace, and the gem was re-named the “Taylor-Burton” diamond.
13of 16Hair RaisingElizabeth Taylor.Hulton/GettyForget her famous raven locks – Taylor covered it all up with a pearl-encrusted headdress for a ball in 1977.
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Hair Raising
Elizabeth Taylor.Hulton/Getty
Forget her famous raven locks – Taylor covered it all up with a pearl-encrusted headdress for a ball in 1977.
14of 16Snow AngelElizabeth Taylor.Ron Galella/WireImageThe actress loved her furs almost as much as her diamonds! She bundled up in fuzzy white in 1982.
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Snow Angel
Elizabeth Taylor.Ron Galella/WireImage
The actress loved her furs almost as much as her diamonds! She bundled up in fuzzy white in 1982.
15of 16Petal PusherElizabeth Taylor.Ron Galella/WireImage1982 may have marked the end of Taylor’s marriage to Sen. John Warner (not pictured), but it also heralded a feminine and sweet style for Liz, like this orange sundress.
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Petal Pusher
1982 may have marked the end of Taylor’s marriage to Sen. John Warner (not pictured), but it also heralded a feminine and sweet style for Liz, like this orange sundress.
16of 16Staying PowerElizabeth Taylor.Barry King/LiaisonWhile men came and went, the more than 50-carat, pear-shaped La Peregrina Pearl – a gift from Richard Burton – never lost its hold on Taylor. She wore it for the rest of her life, including this appearance in 1992.
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Staying Power
Elizabeth Taylor.Barry King/Liaison
While men came and went, the more than 50-carat, pear-shaped La Peregrina Pearl – a gift from Richard Burton – never lost its hold on Taylor. She wore it for the rest of her life, including this appearance in 1992.
source: people.com
