Hollywood says goodbye to most beautiful woman

Yesterday, the American movie industry lost one of its royals — the strikingly beautiful… Yesterday, the American movie industry lost one of its royals — the strikingly beautiful Elizabeth Taylor, who died of congestive heart failure at the age of 79.

For seven decades, Taylor captivated movie audiences with her curvaceous figure, violet eyes, film-worthy romances and charitable endeavors. She undoubtedly enchanted the public not only because of her acting prowess — she won the Oscar for Best Actress twice — but because of the manner in which she led her life: with great and unabashed passion.

The lady once christened “the most beautiful woman in the world” was by no means perfect. She was criticized for the ups and downs of her weight and for her very public love affairs.

But if there is anything we can appreciate about Elizabeth Taylor, it’s that she did everything in a big, theatrical way — while maintaining her poise and likeability.

She dallied with famous, powerful and high-profile men and is well-known for her eight marriages to seven men, marrying actor Richard Burton twice. Her love affair with Burton during the filming of “Cleopatra,” while the actors were both married, caused a scandal that warranted a reproach from the Vatican.

One can’t help but admire a woman who, when asked by The New York Times why she had chosen to marry so many times, put on a Southern accent and responded with: “I don’t know, honey. It sure beats the hell out of me.”

Her jewelry collection could almost be considered America’s own crown jewels. Gems glitter from her ears and throat in nearly every picture of her. One of her best known was a 69.42-carat diamond gifted by then-husband Burton.

Still, she wouldn’t have mesmerized the public with her personal life were it not for her acting career. Her career started at the age of 9 and she transitioned smoothly from child-actor to a film star through her adulthood, winning the Best Actress Oscar for roles in “BUtterfield 8” and “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?”

Even after she no longer graced the silver screen, she used her celebrity to advocate support for the fight against HIV/AIDS. She co-founded and chaired the American Foundation for AIDS Research and was honored several times for her philanthropy.

After her death, Entertainment Weekly spoke with Debbie Reynolds about Taylor. Reynolds and Taylor had been friends when an affair began between entertainer Eddie Fisher, Reynolds’ husband at the time, and Taylor. Still, the pair eventually reconciled and Reynolds could only speak highly of the actress.

“She was the most glamorous and sensuous star of our generation. No one could equal Elizabeth’s beauty and sexuality. Women liked her and men adored her — my husband included — and her love for her children is enduring. She was a symbol of stardom. Her legacy will last,” Reynolds said to Entertainment Weekly.

It’s a testament to the kind of woman Taylor was. Her 79 years were full of lavishness and dramatics, but she always had the poise and enigmatic appeal to charm her audiences — in films and life.