What is the main message of Elizabeth Taylor?

The main message of Elizabeth Taylor is a glimpse into the extraordinary life of one of Hollywood's most iconic actresses.

How long does it take to read Elizabeth Taylor?

The reading time for Elizabeth Taylor varies depending on the reader. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.

Who is the author of Elizabeth Taylor?

The author of Elizabeth Taylor is Kate Andersen Brower.

Biography & Memoir

Elizabeth Taylor Book Summary - Elizabeth Taylor Book explained in key points

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Elizabeth Taylor summary

Name: Elizabeth Taylor
Rating: 4.2 (166 reviews)
Author: Kate Andersen Brower

Kate Andersen Brower

The Grit and Glamour of an Icon

4.2 (166 ratings)

17 mins

Brief summary

"Elizabeth Taylor" by Kate Andersen Brower is a biography that delves into the glamorous and tumultuous life of the Hollywood icon. Portraying her as both an actress and a human, it explores the highs and lows of her career, relationships, health issues, and philanthropic work.

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Table of Contents

Elizabeth Taylor
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What’s in it for me? Discover the grit behind the glam.

Nineteen-forties Hollywood – the Golden Age. The “Big Five” studios – Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Warner Bros., 20th Century Fox, Paramount, and RKO – dominated American filmmaking. Aged just 12, Elizabeth Taylor was already a movie star.

By the end of her life, she was an icon. Fame and fortune, however, were only part of her story.

In this Blink to Elizabeth Taylor, we’ll explore the life of a pioneering actor who changed pop culture and affected millions worldwide. We’ll see an Elizabeth Taylor who was a mother, wife, activist, and philanthropist who bucked convention and survived the cutthroat world of show business.

Details here will have to be limited, of course, but what follows should paint you a vivid picture. It’s worth noting that people typically view Taylor’s life through the prism of her eight marriages. But we’ll go deeper and discover the story behind the story.

A note before we begin: this Blink mentions medical procedures, suicide, and drug use. Please take care while listening.

As Taylor was fond of saying, “Let’s kick on.”

Early Life and Rise to Fame

Born in England in 1932, Elizabeth Taylor’s training began early, at the famed Vacani School of Dance in London. At three and a half years old, she performed in a benefit event attended by British royalty. The naturally shy girl blossomed on stage, sparkling under the lights. The Taylors, an American family, had only just begun their journey when the Second World War forced them to flee England and move to Los Angeles. Sara Taylor, Elizabeth’s mother, was convinced that her child would become a performer – but she had no idea the girl would grow up to become one of the most famous actors of all time.

In Los Angeles, Sara became obsessed with her daughter’s success. She began tutoring her in etiquette and preparing her for auditions. Maternal persistence paid off when the young Taylor made her film debut in Universal’s There’s One Born Every Minute. Despite signing a seven-year contract, however, the ten-year-old failed to impress – and the studio dropped her.

The family moved to Beverly Hills, and Taylor, now the family’s sole breadwinner, was under pressure to win work. Sara eventually managed to score the child an audition. After impressing the studio in Lassie Come Home, Taylor finally secured a long-term MGM contract. Of course, her mother took 10 percent of her pay – probably considering it recompense for fiercely protecting and advocating for her daughter.

Taylor’s road to stardom was challenging. She went to school on the studio lot, but as an MGM treasure, she was isolated and controlled, resulting in a lifelong tendency to daydream. Throughout this difficult time, the entertainer’s love for animals was a continual source of consolation for her. She formed a special bond with dogs and horses, providing her peace and an escape.

The young actor also found solace in bonding with her co-stars, many of whom were several years older than she was. Some, like Roddy McDowall, would become her friends for life. Taylor grew up surrounded by gay actors, and became a haven for them – nonjudgmental, empathetic, and sincere, long before much of Western civilization caught up. Her constant and profound affection for the gay community shaped her nearly limitless empathy for her loved ones. And her need to love and be loved influenced many of her career decisions – as we will see next.

Career Highlights 1940s–1960s

Elizabeth Taylor's acting career demonstrated her talent and versatility. She appeared in numerous critically acclaimed films, attracting audiences worldwide. In the 1940s, when she was only eleven years old, she starred in Jane Eyre with legends Orson Welles and Joan Fontaine. Then she appeared in The White Cliffs of Dover (1944) alongside her friend Roddy McDowall.

Taylor went from being a child star to a serious actor with her next role, 1944’s National Velvet. As a reward for this box-office hit, the studio gave her a horse named King Charles. The young woman, yearning for freedom, rode King Charles as much as she could, much to the dismay of her studio handlers. Unfortunately, she fell off the giant steed and injured her back. A large cash bonus did nothing to soothe her physical pain – but, knowing how ruthless her industry was, she kept her discomfort a secret.

Personal Health Struggles

Taylor suffered from a range of health issues. She was born with scoliosis and experienced excruciating back pain from an early age. Unfortunately, her impairment was aggravated by her childhood horse-riding injury. Taylor’s bouts of ill health became so frequent that friends claimed she exploited them. The actor George Hamilton, who dated her, noted that she was skilled at gaining attention through theatrical performance and self-inflicted traumas. Taylor herself admitted that her mental state had always been linked to her physical health. But despite her fear of pain, she declared she wanted at least six children. She had two with her second husband, Michael Wilding – Michael Jr. in 1953 and Christopher in 1955. Then, on August 6, 1957, she gave birth to her third child, Liza Todd, via Cesarean section. Unfortunately, the pregnancy’s health risks led doctors to perform a tubal ligation. But the ordeal did not end there. In the summer of 1968, Taylor entered hospital for treatment to relieve her chronic back pain, and a hysterectomy became necessary. And there was more trouble to come.

In the mid-1950s, during a photo shoot for the movie Elephant Walk, Taylor got a bit of rusty debris stuck in her eye. She had to have surgery and took a few weeks to recover. Then, when baby Michael accidentally hit her in the same eye, it made matters worse, and a second operation was required. During this time, Taylor considered quitting acting altogether.

Style and Beauty Icon

Taylor’s bold personal style and stunning beauty made her a timeless glamor icon. From popularizing the cat-eye look to her striking fashion choices, she reveled in her favorite role: Hollywood royalty. So where did the actor’s infamous love of jewelry begin?

At age 12, Taylor purchased a colored-stone brooch as a Mother’s Day gift. It’s possible that each piece she acquired in adulthood reminded her of something she could never regain: her lost youth. Her love of decoration persisted, but it reached new heights during her most famous love affair. Her fifth (and sixth) husband, Richard Burton, enjoyed buying her gifts almost as much as she loved receiving them.

Legacy and Philanthropy

Yes, Elizabeth Taylor was a legendary actress, but she was also a trailblazing activist and philanthropist. As a rising Hollywood star, she realized her popularity equaled power. Later, she decided to use her influence to promote social change. Here’s an example.

In the 1980s, Taylor was one of the few public figures to speak out about the AIDS epidemic affecting many of her friends and loved ones. At a time when the disease was still shrouded in fear and misinformation, she was a vocal advocate for research and treatment, lobbying President Ronald Reagan to take action and raise awareness about the disease. She also helped educate on HIV/AIDS prevention and push for LGBTQ+ rights.

Final Summary

Elizabeth Rosemond Taylor was more than a famous actress. Behind her star-studded life and illustrious career, she was a passionate advocate for equality. She embraced sexual autonomy before women were encouraged to do so, and many of her colleagues left firsthand accounts of her unwavering support and selflessness. Taylor’s compassionate spirit left an indelible impression on everyone she met.

From her early civil rights advocacy to her efforts to raise funds for AIDS research, her work and voice transcended class and cultural boundaries, exemplifying genuine compassion on a global scale. Her legacy exemplifies what it means to make the most of one's privilege.

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What is Elizabeth Taylor about?

Elizabeth Taylor (2022) is an enthralling authorized biography of one of Hollywood's most famous stars. This fascinating and complete portrait of the legend chronicles her life of fame, tragedy, love, and loss.

Elizabeth Taylor Review

Elizabeth Taylor (2021) by Kate Andersen Brower takes readers on an intimate journey through the life of the iconic actress and philanthropist. Here's why this book is a must-read:

Offering rare insights into Elizabeth Taylor's personal life, it reveals the untold stories and hidden depths behind the glamorous facade.
Through meticulous research and interviews with Taylor's friends and family, the book paints a vivid picture of her resilience, passion, and groundbreaking contributions to the entertainment industry.
With its compelling storytelling and exploration of Taylor's enduring legacy, this book captivates readers from start to finish, proving that her life was anything but ordinary.

Who should read Elizabeth Taylor?

Elizabeth Taylor devotees
Classic Hollywood aficionados
Romance fans

About the Author

Kate Andersen Brower is an accomplished author and journalist who previously worked for Bloomberg News, where she covered the Obama administration. She has written several best-selling books, including the Number 1 New York Times best seller The Residence.

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Biography & Memoir Society & Culture

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