The Most Beautiful Woman in the World

by Amburn, Ellis

• ISBN13: 9780060193768
• ISBN10: 006019376X
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2000-04-13
• Publisher: Cliff Street Books

Summary

?????An American icon for more than half a century, Elizabeth Taylor continues to fascinate the American public. From the mainstream media to the tabloid press, no other celebrity has received such overwhelming scrutiny, stirred so much scandal, or alternately been the target of both worldwide worship and condemnation. And yet just when we thought we knew everything about this screen siren, Ellis Amburn blows the lid off of Hollywood's best-kept secrets-secrets that have allowed Hollywood's most beautiful woman to remain its most misunderstood celebrity. ?????In The Most Beautiful Woman in the World, Ellis Amburn taps into previously unexplored primary sources to reveal the tragedies and triumphs of Elizabeth Taylor's exciting and tumultuous life. This wonderful new biography poignantly recounts the successful removal of a golf-ball size brain tumor; her courageous recovery after breaking her back twice within two years; the exciting launch of her fragrance line, which became an instant success; and her loving relationship with Rod Steiger, who nurtured her back to health after a nervous breakdown. Amburn also reveals Taylor's tragic and heartbreaking affection for Montgomery Clift and James Dean and explores Taylor's disastrous marriage to the abusive and philandering Nicky Hilton, who abandoned Liz on their honeymoon to be with another woman. And then there is the infamous and cunning Eddie Fisher, who forced Liz to appear at his Las Vegas shows in order to bring in capacity crowds, as well as accounts of Richard Burton's homosexual activities and his exploitation of Taylor. ?????With explosive new revelations about her love affairs and marriages, Ellis Amburn creates a portrait that will redefine everything we thought we knew about Elizabeth Taylor. The most significant and overlooked truth in Taylor's life that all of her major loving relationships have been with gay men, while all of her self-destructive love affairs have been with straight men-is an insight that is destined to deepen our love and understanding of the world's most beautiful woman.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	xi
Preface	xv
Discovering Boys: A Mixed Blessing	1	(21)
Montgomery Clift: Unconditional Love	22	(10)
Sexual, A-Loving Husbands	32	(28)
Nicky Hilton
Michael Wilding
Loving, A-Sexual Partners	60	(22)
James Dean
Rock Hudson
A 414-Day Joyride	82	(28)
Mike Todd
Closure By Injection	110	(22)
Eddie Fisher
Cleopatra: The Queen of the World	132	(15)
The Burtons: One Bright, Shining Moment	147	(33)
The Jet Set	180	(32)
One More Go at Love: The Divorce and Remarriage of Sturm Und Drang	212	(22)
Showbiz Takes Over D. C.:	234	(9)
Elizabeth Taylor
John Warner
Ronald Reagan
Private Lives and Public Bottoms	243	(17)
Lesions, White Diamonds, and Rough Trade	260	(35)
September Songs:	295	(16)
Rod Steiger
Michael Jackson
Cary Schwartz
Notes	311	(23)
Bibliography	334	(3)
Index	337