Elizabeth Taylor Net Worth

What Was Elizabeth Taylor’s Net Worth?

At the time of her death in 2011, Dame Elizabeth Taylor, the iconic British-American actress, possessed a substantial net worth of $600 million. This impressive figure reflected her decades-long career as a Hollywood star, shrewd business ventures, and valuable assets acquired throughout her life. Taylor’s financial success was as much a part of her public image as her acting prowess and philanthropic endeavors.

Elizabeth Taylor’s Early Career and Financial Beginnings

Born Elizabeth Rosemond Taylor on February 27, 1932, in London, England, she hailed from a family with notable connections. Her father, Francis Lenn Taylor, was an art dealer, and her mother, Sara Sothern, was a retired stage actress. The family’s relocation to Los Angeles in 1939, driven by fears of war in Europe, proved pivotal for young Elizabeth. Her striking appearance, characterized by violet eyes and dark eyelashes, captured the attention of industry acquaintances, leading to auditions for film roles. By early 1941, Taylor had auditioned for both MGM and Universal Pictures, receiving contract offers from both studios.

Her acting debut occurred in 1942 with a minor role in “There’s One Born Every Minute,” after which her contract with Universal was terminated. Later that year, she secured an audition for a small part in MGM’s “Lassie Come Home.” This led to a three-month trial contract, subsequently extended into a standard seven-year contract in early 1943. A significant breakthrough came in 1944 when, at age twelve, she starred in the horse-racing drama “National Velvet.” The film’s box-office success elevated Taylor to prominence, with comparisons being drawn to established Hollywood stars like Lana Turner and Ava Gardner by the time she turned fifteen. Her early roles, while formative, laid the groundwork for her future financial success. Films such as 1947’s “Life with Father,” 1948’s “A Date with Judy,” and the 1949 adaptation of “Little Women” solidified her position in Hollywood.

Peak of Elizabeth Taylor’s Career and Earnings

Transitioning to more mature roles as an adult, Taylor starred in films like 1949’s “Conspirator” and 1950’s “Father of the Bride.” However, her role in 1951’s “A Place in the Sun” marked a critical turning point, earning her significant acclaim. Following this success, she appeared in several successful MGM productions, including 1952’s “Love is Better Than Ever” and “Ivanhoe,” and 1954’s “The Last Time I Saw Paris.” The latter half of the 1950s and early 1960s represented the zenith of Taylor’s career, marked by roles in “Giant” (1956), alongside James Dean and Rock Hudson, and “Raintree County” (1957), where she received her first Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. Further nominations followed for “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” (1958), “Suddenly, Last Summer” (1959), and “Butterfield 8” (1960), the latter earning her her first Oscar. These roles not only solidified her reputation but also significantly boosted her earnings. After completing her MGM contract, Taylor starred in 20th Century Fox’s “Cleopatra,” which became the biggest film of 1963. She became the first actress to receive $1 million for her role, a landmark achievement in Hollywood history.

Her collaboration with Richard Burton, both on and off-screen, further amplified her fame and financial success. Films such as “The V.I.P.s” and, most notably, “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” (1966), for which she won her second Oscar for Best Actress, highlighted her talent and contributed substantially to her income. Although precise figures for her earnings from each film are not publicly available, it is evident that Taylor commanded significant salaries and percentages of box-office profits during this period, contributing substantially to her Elizabeth Taylor net worth.

Later Career, Business Ventures, and Philanthropy

While Taylor’s acting career waned in the late 1960s, she remained active in film and television throughout the 1970s and 1980s. In the early 1980s, she took on the leading role in a Broadway production of “The Little Foxes.” Her later work primarily consisted of made-for-TV productions such as “Malice in Wonderland,” “There Must Be a Pony,” and “Sweet Bird of Youth.” Although these roles did not match the financial success of her earlier work, they provided a steady income and allowed her to remain a prominent public figure. Notably, Taylor’s ventures beyond acting significantly contributed to her overall net worth.

She developed a successful line of fragrances, including “White Diamonds,” which became one of the best-selling celebrity fragrances of all time. Precise sales figures for “White Diamonds” and her other fragrances are proprietary, but industry estimates suggest that the fragrance line generated substantial revenue for Taylor over several decades, contributing significantly to her Elizabeth Taylor net worth. Her involvement in HIV/AIDS activism and philanthropy also shaped her later years. She helped raise over $270 million for the cause, testifying before Congress and founding organizations to support research and provide services to those affected by the disease. Her commitment to these causes enhanced her public image and legacy, indirectly contributing to her brand and financial opportunities.

Elizabeth Taylor’s Real Estate and Assets

Throughout her life, Elizabeth Taylor accumulated a significant portfolio of real estate and valuable assets. While specific details about all her properties are not publicly available, it is known that she owned homes in various locations, including Beverly Hills and Bel Air in Los Angeles, as well as properties in London and other parts of the world. The values of these properties fluctuated over time, but collectively they represented a substantial portion of her net worth. She also possessed an impressive collection of jewelry, including diamonds, emeralds, sapphires, and rubies, some of which were gifts from her husbands and others acquired through purchase or inheritance. Her jewelry collection, valued at over $150 million, included iconic pieces such as the Taylor-Burton Diamond, a 69.42-carat pear-shaped diamond, and the La Peregrina Pearl, a 16th-century pearl with a rich history.

These assets, along with her earnings from acting, endorsements, and business ventures, contributed to her considerable Elizabeth Taylor net worth. The jewels were sold at auction after her death, and the proceeds went to the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation.

Personal Life, Marriages, and Financial Settlements

Taylor’s personal life, characterized by eight marriages and numerous high-profile relationships, often intersected with her financial affairs. Her first marriage, to Conrad Hilton Jr., ended in divorce within eight months. Subsequent marriages to Michael Wilding, Mike Todd, Eddie Fisher, Richard Burton (twice), John Warner, and Larry Fortensky each involved financial considerations, including prenuptial agreements, divorce settlements, and property divisions. Her marriages to Richard Burton, in particular, were marked by lavish spending and the acquisition of valuable assets, including jewelry and art. While the specific terms of her divorce settlements are not publicly available, it is reasonable to assume that they impacted her net worth, both positively and negatively, at various points in her life. The details of each marriage are as follows:

• Conrad Hilton Jr. (married 1950, divorced 1951)
• Michael Wilding (married 1952, divorced 1957)
• Mike Todd (married 1957, Todd died in 1958)
• Eddie Fisher (married 1959, divorced 1964)
• Richard Burton (married 1964, divorced 1974, remarried 1975, divorced 1976)
• John Warner (married 1976, divorced 1982)
• Larry Fortensky (married 1991, divorced 1996)

Taylor’s estate was carefully managed and distributed among her heirs and charitable causes, ensuring that her legacy would endure beyond her lifetime. Her Elizabeth Taylor net worth, a testament to her talent, business acumen, and personal history, remains a subject of fascination and admiration.