Elizabeth Taylor remains one of Hollywood's most enduring and fascinating figures, not just for her Oscar-winning career but for her famously dramatic personal life. Her journey down the aisle—a staggering eight times to seven different men—captured the world's imagination and redefined celebrity romance, scandal, and opulence. As of the current date in December 2025, the legacy of these legendary ceremonies continues to make headlines, with her iconic wedding memorabilia frequently resurfacing in high-profile auctions.
The story of Elizabeth Taylor's weddings is a masterclass in Hollywood spectacle, featuring everything from a $2 million affair at a secluded ranch to a quick, secretive ceremony in Las Vegas. Each marriage was a chapter in her life, marked by a distinctly unique and often colorful gown, moving further away from traditional bridal white and cementing her status as a true fashion iconoclast.
The Complete List of Elizabeth Taylor's Husbands and Marriages
Elizabeth Taylor's biography is intrinsically linked to her seven husbands, with whom she shared a total of eight marriages. Here is a comprehensive look at the men she married and the dates that defined her romantic life:
- 1. Conrad "Nicky" Hilton Jr. (Hotel Heir)
- Married: May 6, 1950
- Divorced: January 29, 1951
- 2. Michael Wilding (Actor)
- Married: February 21, 1952
- Divorced: January 26, 1957
- 3. Mike Todd (Producer)
- Married: February 2, 1957
- Widowed: March 22, 1958
- 4. Eddie Fisher (Singer/Actor)
- Married: May 12, 1959
- Divorced: March 6, 1964
- 5. Richard Burton (Actor)
- Married (1st Time): March 15, 1964
- Divorced (1st Time): June 26, 1974
- 6. Richard Burton (Actor)
- Married (2nd Time): October 10, 1975
- Divorced (2nd Time): July 29, 1976
- 7. John Warner (Politician/Senator)
- Married: December 4, 1976
- Divorced: November 7, 1982
- 8. Larry Fortensky (Construction Worker)
- Married: October 6, 1991
- Divorced: October 31, 1996
The Enduring Legacy: Auction Prices and Iconic Gowns
The financial and cultural value of Elizabeth Taylor's wedding history continues to be a major news story. Her first wedding dress, which was the only one in traditional white, serves as a powerful symbol of her early Hollywood innocence.
The $187,000 White Gown: Marriage to Conrad Hilton Jr.
For her first trip down the aisle in 1950, Taylor married hotel heir Conrad "Nicky" Hilton Jr. in a spectacular, traditional ceremony.
The dress, a gift from MGM Studios, was a cream-colored satin gown with a cinched waist and a 15-yard train.
It was designed by the legendary costume designer Helen Rose, who was also responsible for Grace Kelly’s wedding dress.
This gown's cultural significance was demonstrated when it sold at a Christie's auction in London for a remarkable £121,875 (approximately $187,931 at the time), far exceeding its initial estimate.
This sale highlights the enduring public fascination and the high value placed on her personal artifacts, an angle that remains fresh and relevant in the collector's world.
The Colorful Rebellions: Green, Yellow, and Lilac
After her first marriage, Taylor abandoned the conventional white gown, opting for colors that reflected her bold, unconventional spirit and the circumstances of her subsequent marriages.
When she married singer Eddie Fisher in 1959, the ceremony was a quiet affair in Las Vegas, a stark contrast to her previous spectacles.
For this wedding, she wore a short, hooded, forest-green dress, symbolizing a fresh start following the tragic death of her third husband, Mike Todd.
Her first marriage to Richard Burton in 1964, which followed their scandalous affair on the set of Cleopatra, was one of her most memorable.
She wore a bright, sunflower-yellow chiffon babydoll dress, adorned with lilies of the valley, designed by Irene Sharaff, the costume designer for Cleopatra.
The second, more secretive marriage to Burton in 1975—a brief reconciliation in Botswana—saw her choose a vibrant tie-dye dress featuring a mix of green, blue, and yellow feathers. This choice was a definitive statement of her free-spirited approach to marriage and fashion.
The Most Outrageous Ceremony: Neverland Ranch
Elizabeth Taylor's final marriage to construction worker Larry Fortensky in 1991 was arguably her most peculiar and lavish ceremony, costing an estimated $2 million.
Taylor met Fortensky at the Betty Ford Center while they were both seeking treatment for substance abuse, adding a layer of unconventionality to their romance.
The wedding took place at the sprawling Neverland Ranch, the private estate of her close friend, the "King of Pop" Michael Jackson.
The guest list was a who's who of Hollywood royalty, including Nancy Reagan, Eddie Murphy, and Macaulay Culkin.
For this final walk down the aisle, Taylor wore a pale yellow gown that cost a reported $25,000, a gift from the iconic Italian designer Valentino, further cementing her ties to high fashion.
The spectacle of the Neverland Ranch wedding, complete with helicopters hovering overhead and paparazzi attempts to infiltrate the event, was a fittingly outrageous finale to her legendary life of headline-making romance.
The Jewelry and Gifts: Entities of Opulence
Beyond the dresses, Elizabeth Taylor's weddings are defined by the extraordinary jewels gifted by her husbands, establishing her as one of the world's greatest private jewelry collectors.
Richard Burton, in particular, famously showered her with magnificent pieces.
For their first wedding, Burton gifted her a suite of Bulgari emerald and diamond jewelry, which she wore on her wedding day.
These pieces, alongside her other legendary jewels like the 33.19-carat Krupp Diamond and the 69.42-carat Taylor-Burton Diamond, have also been the subject of record-breaking auctions, with her entire collection commanding over $115 million at Christie's.
The story of Elizabeth Taylor's eight weddings is more than a celebrity gossip column; it's a profound look at the life of a woman who lived with passion, scandal, and an unwavering commitment to love, regardless of the consequences. Her choices—from the designer gowns to the unconventional venues—continue to inspire curiosity and shape our understanding of celebrity culture, making her a timeless icon.
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