Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton in Ischia, Italy (June 1962)
Elizabeth Taylor is being remembered in Italy today as the world mourns her passing. The screen legend died Tuesday in a Los Angeles hospital at the age of 79.
Taylor made headlines in Italy during the filming of Cleopatra in 1962. While shooting on location in Rome, Taylor began a not-so-secret love affair with her costar, Richard Burton. The two internationally famous actors were both married to other people at the time, and their relationship sparked outrage. An official condemnation from the Vatican accused them as 'erotic vagrancy.' The couple was often spotted along the Amalfi Coast, including the island of Capri.
After two and a half years, the actors were both finally divorced and free to marry each other in 1964. They would go on to star in several more films together before divorcing in 1970. One of these other major block busters was 1967's The Taming of the Shrew. The feature was directed by Franco Zeffirelli and set in Padua, bringing Taylor back to Italy once more.
On news of her passing, Franco Zeffirelli said, "We have lost a memorable figure, the kind of diva who does not exist any more."
Elizabeth Taylor was also remembered by fashion designer Valentino, who helped the screen siren set up an AIDS charity for children.
"The newspapers like to talk about her loves, her jewels...but not many people remember how hard she worked and how much she gave to suffering people."
