ELIZABETH
REMEMBERED
Five years ago on the 23rd March, one of the world’s true
movie stars in all senses of the word passed away. Not only
did she live the part of the ultimate star but Elizabeth Taylor
was a devoted supporter of LGBTI rights, a campaigner and
AIDS activist - a true gay icon
E
lizabeth Rosemond Taylor was
born on February 27, 1932 at
Heathwood, her family’s home
in Hampstead Garden Suburb,
London.
Her father Francis Lenn Taylor was
rumoured to be homosexual, in fact there
are reports that he moved his lover in to
their family home when Elizabeth was still
quite young.
The family moved to Los Angeles in 1939
settling in Beverley Hills. Her mother was
encouraged to audition her “beautiful”
daughter for film roles. It was her eyes
in particular which drew attention; they
were deep blue to the extent of appearing
violet, and were rimmed by dark double
eyelashes.
After a few minor roles she was given
her first starring role at the age of twelve
in National Velvet which became a box
office success receiving both public and
critical acclaim. One critic wrote that she
“is rapturously beautiful ... I hardly know
or care whether she can act or not.” Over
the next twenty years Elizabeth starred
in a number of films, some receiving high
acclaim such as Giant where she starred
opposite Rock Hudson and James Dean,
Raintree County for which she