Elizabeth Taylor At Home: 7 Secrets Of Her Unpretentious Bel-Air Retreat And The Glamour Revealed By New Photos

Few figures in Hollywood history commanded as much attention as Elizabeth Taylor. Her public life was a whirlwind of dazzling premieres, eight marriages, iconic film roles, and a jewelry collection that became the stuff of legend. Yet, for the last three decades of her life, the legendary star found a surprisingly cozy, unpretentious sanctuary away from the spotlight at her Bel-Air residence, a home that has only recently been fully revealed to the public through a new authorized biography and a groundbreaking photography exhibit.

As of late 2025, interest in Taylor’s private world remains high, fueled by fresh insights into her final home, 700 Nimes Road. This article delves into the intimate details of her life at home, exploring how this ranch-style retreat contrasted sharply with her glamorous persona, and outlining the key entities that defined her most personal space.

Dame Elizabeth Rosemond Taylor: A Life Profile

Dame Elizabeth Rosemond Taylor was a British-American actress, businesswoman, and humanitarian whose career spanned over six decades. Her life was defined by both her immense talent and a highly publicized personal life.

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• Full Name: Elizabeth Rosemond Taylor
• Born: February 27, 1932, in Hampstead, London, England
• Died: March 23, 2011, in Los Angeles, California, U.S.
• Parents: Francis Lenn Taylor (Art Dealer) and Sara Sothern (Actress)
• Nationality: British and American
• Spouses (8 marriages to 7 men): Conrad Hilton Jr., Michael Wilding, Mike Todd, Eddie Fisher, Richard Burton (twice), John Warner, Larry Fortensky
• Children: Michael Wilding Jr., Christopher Wilding, Liza Todd, Maria Burton (adopted)
• Key Residences: Heathwood (London birthplace), Little Swallows (English country home), A Beverly Hills Estate (with Michael Wilding), and her final, long-time home at 700 Nimes Road in Bel-Air, Los Angeles.
• Humanitarian Work: Co-founded the American Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR) and the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation (ETAF).
• Signature Style: Known for her violet eyes, love of diamonds, and roles in films like Cleopatra, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.

The Cozy Reality of 700 Nimes Road: Unpretentious Sanctuary

The image of Elizabeth Taylor is one of unparalleled opulence, yet her final home at 700 Nimes Road in Bel-Air, which she occupied for 30 years, was surprisingly modest for a star of her caliber. When the house was listed for sale at $8.6 million after her death, it revealed a charming, rambling 1960s ranch-style property—not the palatial estate many expected.

This five-bedroom, seven-bathroom home served as her primary residence and a genuine family retreat. She worked with celebrated interior designer Waldo Fernandez to create a space that prioritized comfort over flash. The result was a warm, lived-in environment that starkly contrasted with the public's perception of her flamboyant lifestyle. Her home was described as "modest" and an "unpretentious retreat" where she could truly be herself, away from the constant scrutiny of the press.

Intimate Details Revealed in New Works

The most recent and profound revelations about Taylor’s home life come from two major sources: the 2022 authorized biography and a unique art exhibit.

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1. Catherine Opie’s "700 Nimes Road" Photography

In the final months of her life, Taylor granted photographer Catherine Opie unprecedented access to her home. The resulting portfolio, titled "700 Nimes Road," features 50 photographs that offer a poignant and intimate look at her belongings and interiors.

• The Focus: Opie’s work focused not on Taylor herself, but on the objects she left behind—the traces of her existence. The images show rooms, closets, shoes, clothing, and, most famously, her jewelry.
• The Contrast: The photographs highlight the "beauty and banality" of her life. Viewers see a simple, slightly messy desk next to a priceless Frans Hals painting, or everyday items placed near a catalogue of her legendary Bvlgari emeralds and diamonds. This juxtaposition is a powerful entity in understanding her private world.
• The Lived-In Look: The images capture the essence of a comfortable family home, complete with personal mementos and a slightly cluttered, but cozy, aesthetic. This "unpretentious" style is a key LSI keyword in describing her later years.

2. *Elizabeth Taylor: The Grit & Glamour of an Icon*

The first-ever authorized biography, *Elizabeth Taylor: The Grit & Glamour of an Icon* by Kate Andersen Brower, also sheds new light on her life at 700 Nimes Road. The book confirms the home’s role as a refuge, detailing how she lived surrounded by family, friends, and her beloved pets.

The book reinforces the narrative that the home was a place of deep personal connection. Her close friendship with Michael Jackson, for instance, often involved private visits to the Bel-Air retreat, highlighting the house's role as a safe, private haven.

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The Glamour Entities: Where Opulence Met Domesticity

While the home was generally unpretentious, it still housed the trappings of a legendary life. The true glamour of the estate lay in the priceless entities scattered throughout the ranch-style house, often side-by-side with mundane objects.

1. The Art Collection

Taylor’s father was an art dealer, instilling in her a lifelong appreciation for fine art. Her home contained a significant collection, including a Dutch master painting by Frans Hals, a work that was later reattributed and sold at auction for $2 million. The presence of such valuable pieces in a comfortable, ranch-style setting speaks volumes about her priorities: art was for enjoyment, not just display.

2. The Jewelry and Closets

The most famous entities associated with Taylor are her jewels. Opie's photographs intimately captured the legendary jewelry collection, including pieces from Bvlgari and Cartier, often shown simply resting on a dresser or stored in a jewelry box. The images show a carefully cataloged collection, reflecting her meticulous nature despite the domestic clutter. The sight of her famous diamond and emerald pieces next to ordinary items like a phone or remote control is the ultimate metaphor for her life: a blend of extraordinary glamour and everyday existence.

3. The Pool and Gardens

The Bel-Air home was set on a private, lushly landscaped property, a crucial feature for a celebrity seeking privacy. The outdoor space, including a swimming pool and gardens, provided a tranquil setting for family gatherings and quiet reflection. This focus on natural beauty and seclusion was a conscious choice, emphasizing a desire for a normal family life over a public spectacle.

Elizabeth Taylor's home at 700 Nimes Road was far more than a house; it was a testament to the fact that even the most glamorous Hollywood icon desired a simple, comfortable, and deeply personal haven. The recent revelations through the Opie exhibit and the authorized biography provide a final, intimate portrait of a woman who, at home, was simply a mother, a friend, and a collector of beautiful things, finally at peace in her cozy, unpretentious retreat.