LIZ TAYLOR THROUGH
Elizabeth taylor was one of the world’s most photographed women, the epitome of hollywood glamour. but how she lived in private has always been a mystery. Weaned on the old hollywood studio system that guarded stars’ private lives, she hardly ever allowed herself to be interviewed or photographed at home.
What that home was like was — until now — left to the imaginations of her fans. the fortunate few who were allowed in reported that, unlike the identikit opulence of so many of the super-rich, 700 Nimes road was unmistakably the residence of liz taylor. and as an extraordinary collection of photographs reveal, the possessions she treasured tell the story of her extraordinary life.
the actress bought the sprawling ranchstyle house, on a secluded road in the los angeles neighbourhood of bel air, in the early eighties. Neighbours included ronald reagan, the composer burt bacharach and actress zsa zsa Gabor.
Protected by a team of israeli security guards, in the later years of her life taylor hid herself away from everyone but her large family and a handful of close friends.
at home, ‘Dame elizabeth’ — as she insisted its staff always called her as they fussed around obeying her often eccentric demands — ruled each room had to be filled with fresh white gardenias, while breakfast was served in bed, whenever she wanted it.
only a favoured few were ever allowed upstairs to taylor’s private suite, where she spent many of her later days —racked by chronic back pain and befuddled by addictions to painkillers and alcohol. Sometimes, she would stay in bed for days, glued to the home Shopping Network on TV.
ON OCCASIONS staff even caught the actress showing her eye-watering $150 million collection of jewels to her dog, explaining the provenance of each as she held them up in the impassive pooch’s face. taylor finally allowed her extraordinary domestic set-up to be photographed after her accountant suggested she collaborate with another of his clients, photographer catherine opie. Working over six months from December 2010, she was given unfettered access to the taylor trove, photographing acres of couture outfits, fabulous jewels, furs, handbags and shoes.
the star’s aides admit the house was tidier than usual when opie visited. the actress — whose bedroom was usually cluttered with collections of crystals, photos, figurines and books about angels — was away in hospital during much of this time. liz taylor, died in March 2011, and the six-bedroom, six-bathroom house was later sold for $8 million . . . contents not included.