Elizabeth Taylor was an iconic American and British actress known for her extraordinary beauty, talent, and strong, volatile female roles during the golden age of classical Hollywood cinema. She won two Academy Awards for Best Actress for her performances in "Butterfield 8" (1960) and "Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" (1966). Beyond her film career, which spanned six decades, she was a savvy businesswoman and a pioneering social entrepreneur, notably negotiating one of the first $1 million contracts for an actor for her role in "Cleopatra." She was also a dedicated activist, especially for HIV/AIDS awareness and research, co-founding amfAR and founding the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation. Taylor's personal life was highly publicized, including eight marriages to seven men, and she remained a prominent public figure until her death in 2011 at age 79. She is remembered for her enduring compassion, strength, and influence both on and off screen.

Additionally, Elizabeth Taylor has inspired contemporary works such as Taylor Swift's song "Elizabeth Taylor," which references the actress's beauty, complicated love life, and the resilience she exhibited under the spotlight.