Let’s talk about Elizabeth Taylor’s money. We’re not just talking about pocket change. We’re talking about a financial empire built on violet eyes and pure Hollywood grit.
When she died in 2011, her estate was valued at around $600 million. Yes, you read that right. That’s six hundred million reasons to be a movie star.
But here’s the fun part: she spent almost as much as she made. She didn’t just collect jewels; she devoured them.
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The Diamond Diet
Her jewelry collection alone was worth an estimated $150 million. We’re talking the 33-carat Krupp Diamond and the legendary 69-carat Taylor-Burton Diamond.
She once said, “Big girls need big diamonds.” She wasn’t joking. She bought them, wore them to the grocery store, and never apologized.
Richard Burton, her husband (twice!), famously said, “The only word Liz knows in Italian is Bulgaria.” That’s the jewelry brand Bulgari, by the way. She spent a fortune there.
The Salary Game
In 1963, she became the first actress to earn $1 million for a single film. That was Cleopatra. The film was a disaster, but her paycheck was legendary.
At that time, $1 million was like winning the lottery every day. She made more per movie than most stars made in their entire careers.
Her contract for Cleopatra also included a whopping $50,000 per week in expenses. That covered her private plane, her penthouse suite, and her personal chef.
The Perfume Windfall
Then came the 1980s. Her film career slowed down, but her business brain kicked in. She launched Passion, her first perfume.
It was a smash hit. She didn’t just slap her name on a bottle. She worked with chemists and marketers. The result? A fragrance that earned her over $100 million in its first decade.
Elizabeth Taylor Left 1 Ex-Husband Nearly $1 Million When She Died
She followed it up with White Diamonds. That scent alone sold over $1 billion globally. She owned the rights, so she kept most of the cash. Clever lady.
The Generosity Glitch
Now, here’s the wild part: she gave away a ton of money. She raised over $100 million for AIDS research before it was trendy or popular.
She threw galas, auctioned off her own jewelry, and wrote personal checks. She didn’t just write a check; she danced at the galas. She made charity fun and loud.
By the end, her fortune was smaller than it could have been. But her legacy? Enormous.
The Real Estate Rollercoaster
She owned mansions in London, Los Angeles, and Switzerland. One of her properties was a 3,000-acre ranch in California. It had its own airstrip.
She also had a habit of buying houses on a whim. Once, she saw a Bel Air estate, loved the pool, and bought it for $1.5 million. In cash.
But she also lost money. She sold her Bel Air home for a loss in the 1990s. Even Liz Taylor couldn’t always win at real estate poker.
The Eight Marriages (and Their Costs)
Each marriage came with a hefty price tag. Her divorces were legendary, with settlements that made headlines. But she didn’t marry for money; she married for passion.
Here's What Happened To Elizabeth Taylor's Money After She Died
Richard Burton gave her a $1 million emerald and diamond necklace. He also gave her a 70-carat pear-shaped diamond. That’s like buying someone a small country.
When she divorced construction tycoon Larry Fortensky in 1996, she reportedly got $5 million. That was a bargain compared to the jewelry she kept.
The Final Number
So, how much did she have at the end? It’s complicated. Her will left about $40 million in personal assets to her children and a trust for charity.
Why the drop from $600 million? Because she lived it. She spent on diamonds, perfume launches, and hospital bills for her many illnesses. She also gave away millions quietly.
Here’s the truth: Elizabeth Taylor wasn’t just rich. She was wealthy in a way that feels like a fairy tale. Her money was a prop for her incredible life.
Why This All Matters
Talking about Liz Taylor’s money is fun because it’s absurd. It reminds us that some people really did live like movie stars—because they were.
She never pretended to be frugal. She said, “I’m a survivor. I’m not a victim.” Her bank account backed that up.
So next time you see a huge diamond, think of her. She didn’t just own sparkly rocks. She owned a whole galaxy of fun, drama, and cash.
And that, my friend, is why we still talk about her money. It was as big and juicy as her life.