Elizabeth Taylor sat down in her suite at New York's Regency Hotel and handwrote a statement announcing her separation from Richard Burton. "Maybe we loved each other too much," she mused.
"We have been in each other's pockets constantly, never being apart but for matters of life and death.... Wish us well during this difficult time.
Pray for us." Dubbed "Liz and Dick" by the press, nicknames they both hated, Elizabeth and Richard fell obsessively in love on the set of 1963's Cleopatra when both were married to others. The highly public affair attracted scorn from the Vatican as Pope Paul VI condemned them for "erotic vagrancy," but their obvious passion fascinated the world.
"They were on the cover of every newspaper and magazine," says Roger Lewis, author of the new book Erotic Vagrancy: Everything About Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor. "They became the most famous couple in the world." In the early days, luxury wasn't important to the lovers. They just wanted to be alone. "I am madly in love' with her," wrote Richard in his diary. "[I] want to make love to her every minute." They secretly rented a rundown villa in Porto Santo Stefano to escape prying eyes while filming Cleopatra in Italy. "We'd spend weekends there.
I'd barbecue," recalled Elizabeth. "There was a crummy old shower, and the sheets were always damp. We loved it - absolutely adored it."
HOLLYWOOD ROYALTY
This story is from the May 13, 2024 edition of Closer US.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the May 13, 2024 edition of Closer US.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
RELEASES FIRST NEW SONG AFTER STROKE
After suffering a debilitating stroke in 2013, country superstar Randy Travis thought he'd never be able to make music again.
Secrets, Lies & PASSIONS
THE ACADEMY AWARD-WINNING ACTRESS LED A COMPLICATED LIFE THAT INVITED RUMORS
What I've Learned From MY PARENTS
THE DAUGHTER OF BRUCE WILLIS AND DEMI MOORE SHARES WHAT MAKES HER GRATEFUL
How Struggles MADE HER STRONGER
A NEW BOOK ABOUT THE TELEVISION JOURNALIST'S LIFE REVEALS THE CHALLENGES THAT FUELED HER AMBITION
ALFONSO RIBEIRO I've Never Been HAPPIER
The DWTS host and Fresh Prince alum opens up about his life in and out of the spotlight with Closer
5 WAYS TO BOOST YOUR BRAIN HEALTH
THINK LONG AND HARD ABOUT THESE LIFESTYLE CHANGES
Delta Burke HOW LOVE Saved Me
THE DESIGNING WOMEN ALUM FOUND HER SOULMATE JUST WHEN SHE NEEDED HIM MOST
MY LIFE IN 10 Pictures
BOLD AND brash, Mary Kathleen Turner burst onto the scene in the ’80s to become one of the sexiest and most acclaimed actresses of her generation.
HOW TO SURVIVE ALLERGY SEASON
A FEW SIMPLE TRICKS FOR RELIEF ARE NOTHING TO SNEEZE AT
THE MAN Who Tried to Save Her
A YOUNG MUSICIAN SOUGHT TO CHANGE THE COURSE OF THE PERFORMER'S LIFE SIX MONTHS BEFORE HER DEATH