Who is Elizabeth Taylor? Hollywood Legend Behind Taylor Swift’s New Song

October 3, 2025 – Taylor Swift has released her new album The Life of a Showgirl, her 12th studio record. Among the tracks, one song has caught the spotlight – “Elizabeth Taylor”. The song is inspired by the legendary actress who became one of the most famous stars of Hollywood’s golden era.

Swift connects her own life to Elizabeth Taylor’s story. She highlights fame, love, glamour, and how the world sees women under a bright spotlight.

Elizabeth Taylor’s Hollywood Journey

Elizabeth Taylor was one of the greatest stars of the 1950s and 1960s. She rose to global fame with roles in Cleopatra, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?.

In Cleopatra, she became the first actress to be paid $1 million for a single role, making her the highest-paid star of that era. She went on to win two Academy Awards for Best Actress.

The First Modern Celebrity

Taylor’s personal life made as many headlines as her acting career. She was married eight times to seven men, including twice to actor Richard Burton.

Her marriages to Burton were filled with drama and passion. The pair married in 1964, divorced in 1974, remarried in 1975, and divorced again in 1976. Their relationship fascinated the world and became one of Hollywood’s most famous love stories.

Elizabeth also married Conrad Hilton Jr., Michael Wilding, Mike Todd, Eddie Fisher, John Warner, and Larry Fortensky. She had four children, and after her final divorce in 1996, she never remarried.

She died in March 2011, leaving behind a legacy of stardom, fashion, and activism.

Taylor Swift’s Song “Elizabeth Taylor”

In her new track, Swift pays tribute to the star. She uses symbolic images connected to Elizabeth Taylor’s life:

• “Cry my eyes violet” – a reference to Taylor’s famous violet-blue eyes.

• “White Diamonds” – the name of Elizabeth’s best-selling perfume.

• Cartier and jewelry – reflecting the luxury and glamour that surrounded Taylor.

• Portofino and Plaza Athénée – romantic locations tied to Taylor and Burton.

Swift compares her own fame and relationships to Taylor’s life. Both women have lived under constant media attention. Both have been celebrated and judged for their love stories as much as their achievements.

Why It Matters

Taylor Swift today is the world’s biggest pop star. Elizabeth Taylor was once the most famous actress on Earth. Both symbolize glamour, strength, and public fascination.

By naming a song after Elizabeth Taylor, Swift is not just honoring her. She is also reflecting on her own role as a “modern showgirl” who lives her life on stage and under the public eye.