Elizabeth Taylor - Everett CollectionDuring her 79 years, Elizabeth Taylor -- classic beauty,serial monogamist, Oscar winner, AIDS activist -- captivated the world with herbig-screen roles and her real-life dramas.
Born in Britain, Taylor and her American parents moved toLos Angeles at the age of seven, and became a bona fide star by age 12, withher starring role in the classic 1944 film "National Velvet," one ofa whopping 50 movies she'd appear in over the next four decades.
Though the actress was praised for her beauty and actingprowess, and landed two Academy Awards over the course of her career, as wellas an honorary Oscar in 1993, in later years she was better known for hertumultuous personal life thanks to her string of fiery romances and mostlyfailed marriages. Her first one to Conrad Hilton at age 18 seemed to set thestage for the rest. It ended after just one year, in 1951, well before divorcewas casually accepted. Just one year later, Taylor wed English actor Mike Wilding, withwhom she would have two sons.
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