Although she was married eight times to a total of seven men, Elizabeth Taylor only walked down the aisle wearing the traditional white dress once. Here, we took a look back at all of her wedding days and more importantly, her wedding dresses and over-the-top jewelry:
1. Conrad “Nicky” Hilton, May 6, 1950
For her first trip down the aisle, Taylor said “I do” to Conrad “Nicky” Hilton (yes, he was great-uncle to Paris and Nicky Hilton). A then 18-year old Taylor chose a very 1950’s gown to say her vows in front of 700 of their nearest and dearest.
The Helen Rose designed satin gown was the most traditional bridal look for Liz, featuring long sleeves, a full A-line skirt, and seed pearl embellishments. The illusion of an off-shoulder sweetheart neckline was created with a sheer, high-neck overlay which was emphasized by a pearl tiara and veil. Rose also designed Grace Kelly’s wedding dress as well as Taylor’s similar on-screen look in the original Father of the Bride. The wedding dress—which was originally reported to have cost $1,500—sold at a London auction for $187,931 in 2013.
The couple would divorce a year later.
2. Michael Wilding, February 21, 1952
After her short-lived marriage to Conrad Hilton, Liz married Michael Wilding in London. Wilding was 20 years her senior so naturally she chose a more demure, serious look in a modest flared suit with a white collar. The tea-length skirt was complemented by cuffed, three-quarter sleeves that gave the ensemble an air of casual sophistication. This wedding look was also designed by Helen Rose. Taylor completed the ensemble with a pearl necklace, small bouquet, and wove matching flowers through her hair.
She would remain married to Wilding until 1957, when she began a fling with film producer Michael Todd.
3. Michael Todd, February 2, 1957
Taylor referred to film producer Michael Todd as one of the great loves of her life (alongside her jewelry and Richard Burton). The couple was married in Acapulco, Mexico, where Taylor wore a very dramatic, pastel blue, hooded silk organza gown (that transitioned into an off-the-shoulder silhouette once the hood was removed), with her 29-carat diamond engagement ring.
This was sadly her only marriage to not end in divorce, Todd died in a private jet crash in 1958.
4. Eddie Fisher, May 12, 1959
Next up, Michael Todd’s best friend (and husband to Debbie Reynolds—Liz’s maid of honor at her wedding to Todd) Eddie Fisher. (Yes, he was also dad to Star Wars’ Princess Leia herself, Carrie Fisher.) The two began a love affair after Todd’s death, and you guessed it, that led to marriage number four for Liz—and a 40-carat engagement bracelet (in lieu of a ring). The couple married in a synagogue in Las Vegas after Taylor converted to Judaism. Looks like after Acapulco Liz had a penchant for wedding-day hoods, this time choosing a green, silk A-line dress complete with a hood and translucent long sleeves.
The couple would remain married until 1964, when Liz began an affair with married actor, Richard Burton.
5. Richard Burton, March 15, 1964
Before there was Brangelina or Bennifer, there was “Liz and Dick.” The drama-inducing duo met on the set of Cleopatra and began a scandalous affair. They would wed (for the first time) in Montreal in 1964—a mere nine days after Taylor’s previous marriage ended.
Cleopatra’s costume designer, Irene Sharaff, crafted Taylor’s now iconic marigold-hued chiffon babydoll dress. She completed the look with hyacinths and lilies of the valley weaved into a dramatic braided updo and topped off the knee-length dress with a diamond and emerald Bulgari brooch. “The only word Elizabeth knows in Italian is Bulgari,” Burton once said of Taylor. He later followed up with a 69-carat Cartier ring.
Liz would remain married to Burton until 1974, making this decade-long partnership her longest marriage.
6. Richard Burton (AGAIN), October 10, 1975
After 10 dramatic years together, “Liz and Dick” divorced in 1974. Not content to only pledge their eternal love once, the couple re-married 16 months later in Botswana. This time Liz went full-on 1970’s free spirit in a tie-dye Gina Fratini-designed dress in all colors of the rainbow, embroidered with tiny feathers and beading. An updo of poetic ribbons and flowers completed the boho vibe. The colorful empire-waist wedding dress sold at a London auction for $62,500 in 2011.
The doomed lovers would divorce for the second time just nine months later in 1976, after which Liz reportedly admitted all the men that followed were mere companions.
7. Senator John Warner, December 4, 1976
After the many ups and downs of her Hollywood marriages, Taylor’s seventh and most quiet wedding, found her hitched to Senator John Warner. The couple said their vows in an intimate winter wedding ceremony on his farm in Virginia. She wore a violet cashmere dress topped with a tweed and fur coat, and matching turban.
Playing politician’s wife didn’t sit well with Liz and she would divorce for a seventh time in 1982. Two failed engagements would follow before her next walk down the aisle.
8. Larry Fortensky, October 6, 1991
You know what they say, eighth time’s the charm (nobody says that). For her last, and most over the top, turn as bride, Dame Liz Taylor would wed Larry Fortensky, whom she met at the Betty Ford Center, at the age of 59. The paparazzi-stalked (one even parachuted into the ultra-secure festivities) event took place at Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch in Santa Ynez Valley, California.
Taylor wore a pale yellow, lace Valentino gown (and very deep tan) to marry her last hubby in front of 160-guests including Liza Minnelli, Eddie Murphy, Nancy Reagan, Diane von Furstenberg, Arsenio Hall, George Hamilton, Merv Griffin, Quincy Jones, Macaulay Culkin, and Brooke Shields. The bespoke wedding dress (estimated to have cost $25,000) was gifted by the designer and featured a tiered skirt, plunging neckline, and long sleeves.
This would not end well for Liz, the couple divorced five years later in 1996.
(This original article was published on Brides)
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