Although she was married eight times to a total of seven men, Elizabeth Taylor only walked down the aisle wearing the traditional white dress once. Here, we took a look back at all of her wedding days and more importantly, her wedding dresses and over-the-top jewelry:
1. Conrad “Nicky” Hilton, May 6, 1950
For her first trip down the aisle, Taylor said “I do” to Conrad “Nicky” Hilton (yes, he was great-uncle to Paris and Nicky Hilton). A then 18-year old Taylor chose a very 1950’s gown to say her vows in front of 700 of their nearest and dearest.
The Helen Rose designed satin gown was the most traditional bridal look for Liz, featuring long sleeves, a full A-line skirt, and seed pearl embellishments. The illusion of an off-shoulder sweetheart neckline was created with a sheer, high-neck overlay which was emphasized by a pearl tiara and veil. Rose also designed Grace Kelly’s wedding dress as well as Taylor’s similar on-screen look in the original Father of the Bride. The wedding dress—which was originally reported to have cost $1,500—sold at a London auction for $187,931 in 2013.
The couple would divorce a year later.
2. Michael Wilding, February 21, 1952
After her short-lived marriage to Conrad Hilton, Liz married Michael Wilding in London. Wilding was 20 years her senior so naturally she chose a more demure, serious look in a modest flared suit with a white collar. The tea-length skirt was complemented by cuffed, three-quarter sleeves that gave the ensemble an air of casual sophistication. This wedding look was also designed by Helen Rose. Taylor completed the ensemble with a pearl necklace, small bouquet, and wove matching flowers through her hair.
She would remain married to Wilding until 1957, when she began a fling with film producer Michael Todd.
3. Michael Todd, February 2, 1957
Taylor referred to film producer Michael Todd as one of the great loves of her life (alongside her jewelry and Richard Burton). The couple was married in Acapulco, Mexico, where Taylor wore a very dramatic, pastel blue, hooded silk organza gown (that transitioned into an off-the-shoulder silhouette once the hood was removed), with her 29-carat diamond engagement ring.
This was sadly her only marriage to not end in divorce, Todd died in a private jet crash in 1958.
4. Eddie Fisher, May 12, 1959
Next up, Michael Todd’s best friend (and husband to Debbie Reynolds—Liz’s maid of honor at her wedding to Todd) Eddie Fisher. (Yes, he was also dad to Star Wars’ Princess Leia herself, Carrie Fisher.) The two began a love affair after Todd’s death, and you guessed it, that led to marriage number four for Liz—and a 40-carat engagement bracelet (in lieu of a ring). The couple married in a synagogue in Las Vegas after Taylor converted to Judaism. Looks like after Acapulco Liz had a penchant for wedding-day hoods, this time choosing a green, silk A-line dress complete with a hood and translucent long sleeves.
The couple would remain married until 1964, when Liz began an affair with married actor, Richard Burton.
5. Richard Burton, March 15, 1964
Before there was Brangelina or Bennifer, there was “Liz and Dick.” The drama-inducing duo met on the set of Cleopatra and began a scandalous affair. They would wed (for the first time) in Montreal in 1964—a mere nine days after Taylor’s previous marriage ended.
Cleopatra’s costume designer, Irene Sharaff, crafted Taylor’s now iconic marigold-hued chiffon babydoll dress. She completed the look with hyacinths and lilies of the valley weaved into a dramatic braided updo and topped off the knee-length dress with a diamond and emerald Bulgari brooch. “The only word Elizabeth knows in Italian is Bulgari,” Burton once said of Taylor. He later followed up with a 69-carat Cartier ring.
Liz would remain married to Burton until 1974, making this decade-long partnership her longest marriage.
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