Elizabeth Taylor's Eight Marriages: The Original Serial Bride of Hollywood
Eight marriages to seven men — she married Burton twice because once wasn't dramatic enough
Key Facts
What Happened
Elizabeth Taylor was the most beautiful woman of her generation and arguably the most famous woman in the world for three decades. She was also married eight times to seven different men, making her Hollywood's most iconic serial bride. Her marriages traced the arc of her life from teenage stardom to global icon to tabloid fixture, and each one generated headlines that defined an era of celebrity culture.
Her first marriage at 18 to Conrad 'Nicky' Hilton Jr. in 1950 was a fairy tale that became a nightmare within weeks. Hilton was abusive, and Taylor suffered a miscarriage; the marriage lasted eight months. British actor Michael Wilding provided stability and two sons but bored her. Producer Mike Todd was the great love of her early life — magnetic, extravagant, he gave her the famous tiara — but he died in a plane crash in 1958 after just one year of marriage. Taylor then scandalized America by taking up with Eddie Fisher, who left his wife Debbie Reynolds to be with her. Fisher was merely a placeholder — Taylor dropped him when she fell for Richard Burton on the set of Cleopatra in 1963.
The Burton marriages were the main event. Their first marriage (1964-1974) was a decade of passion, alcohol, extravagant jewelry (including the 33-carat Krupp Diamond and the 69-carat Taylor-Burton Diamond), and volcanic fights conducted in public across Europe. They divorced, remarried in 1975, and divorced again within a year. Burton reportedly said that Taylor was the only woman he had ever truly loved — and the only one he could not live with. After Burton, Taylor married Senator John Warner (1976-1982), gaining political life and losing her figure, and finally construction worker Larry Fortensky (1991-1996), whom she met at the Betty Ford Center and married at Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch.
Taylor's eight marriages illustrate every type of divorce: abuse (Hilton), incompatibility (Wilding), death (Todd), scandal (Fisher), passion burning out (Burton, twice), growing apart (Warner), and marrying outside one's world (Fortensky). Her jewelry collection — accumulated through marriages and self-purchases — was auctioned by Christie's after her death in 2011 for $137 million. She proved that serial marriage, while emotionally devastating, could also be a journey of self-discovery that ultimately led to her greatest legacy: AIDS activism and her Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation.
Legal Breakdown: Celebrity Divorce
Remarriage to the Same Spouse
Taylor married Richard Burton twice — a pattern more common than people realize. Legally, a remarriage to the same person creates an entirely new marriage with its own property rights, and any prenuptial agreement from the first marriage does not automatically carry over. The second Burton marriage had different financial terms than the first. If you are considering remarrying an ex-spouse, you need a new prenuptial agreement that reflects current circumstances.
Asset Protection Across Multiple Marriages
Taylor's jewelry collection grew through multiple marriages and remained her personal property. Her ability to retain these assets demonstrates the importance of distinguishing separate property (gifts, inheritance, pre-marital assets) from community property. Gifts given during marriage — like Burton's legendary jewels — are typically considered the separate property of the recipient, not subject to division in divorce.
Domestic Violence and Early Divorce
Taylor's first marriage to Nicky Hilton ended due to his physical abuse, which caused her to miscarry. In the 1950s, domestic violence was rarely discussed publicly, and divorce for abuse carried stigma. Taylor's willingness to leave — at just 18 years old — was unusually courageous for the era. Today, domestic violence is recognized as grounds for immediate protective orders and expedited divorce proceedings in all states.
What This Means for Your Divorce
- →Remarrying an ex-spouse requires a new prenuptial agreement — the old terms are void. Treat it as a legally fresh start.
- →Gifts received during marriage (jewelry, art, vehicles) are typically separate property — but keep documentation proving they were gifts, not joint purchases.
- →Domestic violence is never acceptable and is always grounds for divorce. Do not stay because of social pressure or fear of stigma.
- →Each marriage teaches different lessons. Taylor's trajectory shows that finding the right partner often requires painful self-knowledge gained through failed relationships.
Going Through a Divorce?
Get confidential guidance tailored to your situation — free, private, and available 24/7.
Related Cases
Andre Agassi & Brooke Shields
United States · 1999
He was using crystal meth. She found out too late. The divorce cost $130 million.
Public & CelebrityLance Armstrong & Kristin Richard
United States · 2003
She quit her job to support him through cancer. He won 5 Tour de France titles. Then the truth came out.
Public & CelebrityLamar Odom & Khloé Kardashian
United States · 2013–2016
She filed for divorce. He nearly died in a brothel. She withdrew the papers to make his medical decisions. Then she filed again.
Public & Celebrity¿Te fue útil? Ayúdanos a mantenerlo gratis.
divorce911.ai se financia completamente con donaciones. Cada dólar mantiene al asistente IA y las 1,700+ guías gratis para personas en crisis.
Know someone going through a divorce? This could help them.
This article is based on publicly available court records, news reports, and legal analysis. It is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by reading this content.
Divorce laws vary by jurisdiction. Always consult a licensed attorney in your area before making legal decisions.