Elizabeth Taylor, a name synonymous with Hollywood glamour, continues to captivate audiences even 13 years after her passing. A new book, “Erotic Vagrancy: Everything about Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor,” delves into her passionate (and often chaotic) relationship with Richard Burton, but a juicy tidbit about her fourth husband, Eddie Fisher, is stealing the spotlight.
Cleopatra’s Curse? Million-Dollar Paycheck Meets Substance Abuse:
Taylor’s role in “Cleopatra” was groundbreaking – the first $1 million film acting fee! But production was plagued by her alleged substance abuse. An excerpt reveals Fisher, then Taylor’s husband, acting as a glorified babysitter, ensuring she ate, took her pills on time, and walked their numerous dogs – all for a cool $150,000. Yikes!
Chaos Reigns Supreme:
Truman Capote’s visit painted a picture of a home filled with “unhousebroken dogs, shedding cats, and disorderly paraphernalia.” Filming was further disrupted by Taylor’s illnesses, including “Malta Fever” (caused by, wait for it, unpasteurized milk?) and pneumonia that landed her in a coma. The studio ultimately scrapped the project, leading to a fresh start with a new director and the ever-so-charming Richard Burton.
Love Triangle Heats Up:
Sparks flew between Taylor and Burton, despite both being married. Their scandalous affair, reminiscent of the modern-day Brad Pitt-Angelina Jolie-Jennifer Aniston drama, shocked Hollywood. Fisher, understandably, filed for divorce in 1964, paving the way for Taylor and Burton’s whirlwind marriage that same year. Talk about moving fast!
Elizabeth Taylor’s life was a whirlwind of drama, passion, and scandal. This glimpse into her tumultuous marriage with Eddie Fisher and the explosive start to her romance with Richard Burton only adds to her captivating legacy.