Elizabeth

For over sixty years, Elizabeth Taylor has been an American icon, surrounded by fame since childhood. Acclaimed biographer J. Randy Taraborrelli delves beyond the tabloid portrayal to reveal the true evolution of Taylor from child star to independent woman. Central to this meticulously researched work is a comprehensive look at her family dynamics: her ambitious, controlling mother, who plotted her success from infancy, and her father, often seen as distant, yet whose relationship with Elizabeth was more nuanced than commonly understood. Taraborrelli vividly depicts the people around Elizabeth and her ascent in 1940s Hollywood, highlighting the traits that made her a star and the circumstances that left her unprepared for independence. While her eight marriages to seven men have been widely covered, the author explores the psychological and emotional underpinnings of each relationship, including her tumultuous marriage to Nicky Hilton and the passionate, enduring affair with Richard Burton. Additionally, Taraborrelli chronicles Elizabeth's remarkable resilience, overcoming battles with substance abuse and chronic illness to find fulfillment in family, friendships, and philanthropy. Featuring never-before-published family photos by Taylor historian Tom Gates, this account offers a deeper understanding of a woman you thought you knew.