She was one of the last great movie stars….an icon of incredible beauty, seduction and intrigue. When one thinks of Elizabeth Taylor, great actress, legendary star, eight marriages, exquisite jewelry, stunning beauty and violet eyes come to mind. She was also a feminist and a trail-blazer. She used her stardom, incredible wealth and compassion to make a difference in the world.
After the age of 40, she went far beyond her movie-star life starring in over 50 films for which she won hundreds of awards, including 3 Academy Awards. In the mid-1980’s, she stood up to advocate for AIDS. Ms. Taylor used her fame and her voice to speak out for those marginalized victims of AIDS and HIV, at a time when it wasn’t popular to do so. In 1991, she founded the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation and throughout the next 25 years until her death at 79, she made a significant impact of increasing awareness and providing services to families and victims. She received numerous awards for her activism and philanthropy during a time when most people were indifferent or angry about those afflicted and dying of this epidemic disease.
She worked tirelessly throughout the world to make a difference, in sharp contract to retiring to a life of luxury, surrounded by her beautiful things and adoring fans. In the early 80s she sold much of her famed jewelry to build 15 hospitals in Africa, as well as raised money to help fund research for HIV treatment. In 1991, Ms. Taylor and Mr. Valentino, fashion designer and philanthropist, worked together to create a charity for children with AIDS in Italy. Her legacy foundation continues today, raising over $270 million dollars, through various events and activities to support families living with AIDS, education, and prevention. The latest endeavor, Elizabeth Taylor Red Velvet Cupcakes–here’s the recipe–enjoy!
