All 8 of Elizabeth Taylor’s Iconic Wedding Dresses, Explained

Though Elizabeth Taylor is well-known for her starring roles in films like Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolf?, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, National Velvet, and Father of the Bride, among many others, it’s the late star’s romantic life that tends to get the most attention. Taylor was famously married eight times (to just seven different men—she wed Richard Burton twice) over the course of 40 years.

From 1950, the year of her first wedding, until 1991, when she tied the knot for the last time, Taylor had the pleasure of selecting eight iconic wedding dresses, and each one was spectacular in its own right. Notably, the bride only tied the knot wearing white once—after her first wedding to Conrad “Nicky” Hilton, Taylor favored more colorful looks for her walk down the aisle.

Here, we take a closer look at each of Elizabeth Taylor’s wedding dresses—in order—and revisit the relationships she selected each of these gowns for.

Elizabeth Taylor’s Classic Wedding Dress for Her Nuptials to Conrad “Nicky” Hilton on May 6, 1950

When Taylor married her first husband, Conrad “Nicky” Hilton on May 6, 1950, the 18-year-old bride wore what would be her most classic wedding dress—one that was very much so in keeping with the decade. She turned to a familiar designer for her big-day look: Helen Rose, who created her Father of the Bride wedding dress (the film premiered just 12 days after her actual wedding). Rose, who also famously created Grace Kelly’s wedding dress, designed her satin wedding dress, which featured long sleeves, a full skirt, and seed pearl embellishments. It was also defined by its illusion off-the-shoulder sweetheart neckline and sheer, high-neck overlay. This was the first and last time Taylor tied the knot wearing a white gown.

For accessories, the relatively young bride chose a pearl tiara and veil, which made a statement as she walked down the aisle and traded vows with Hilton in front of a whopping 700 guests. Reports suggest that the star’s wedding dress original cost $1,500, which, when adjusted for inflation, would be just over $20,000 today. Ultimately, the gown was worth far more than that: It sold at a London in auction in 2013 for $187,931, Christie’s reported.

Unfortunately, Taylor’s on-screen wedding in 1950 was far more successful than her real one; the couple divorced after just one year of marriage.

Elizabeth Taylor’s Tea-Length Suit for Her Wedding to Michael Wilding on February 21, 1952

A little over a year after separating from Hilton, Taylor was ready to embark on her next wedding. This time, she married Michael Wilding in his native London. Though her first marriage didn’t work out, Taylor didn’t feel any ill-will toward her original wedding dress designer, so she tapped Rose again to create a big-day look to remember. This time, she walked down the aisle in a demure, modest flared wedding suit, which featured a tea-length skirt, three-quarter sleeves, and a white collar.

Taylor carried a petite bouquet of what appears to be lily of the valley and added the same blooms to her simple updo. She also accessorized with a pearl necklace.

The two were married for five years, until 1957. During that time, the couple welcomed two boys, Michael and Christopher.

Elizabeth Taylor’s Blue Hooded Gown for Her Destination Wedding to Michael Todd on February 2, 1957

Film producer Michael Todd proposed to Taylor with a 29-carat diamond engagement ring. Their wedding—and the bride’s gown—was equally flashy. The two tied the knot on February 2, 1957, in Acapulco, Mexico. Taylor wore a pastel blue hooded silk organza gown for the occasion; once the hood was removed, a statement-making off-the-shoulder silhouette was revealed.

Todd died in a private plane crash in 1958, making this Taylor’s only marriage that didn’t end in divorce. She famously called her late husband (along with future two-time spouse Richard Burton and her jewelry collection) one of the great loves of her life. “God, I loved him. My self-esteem, my image, everything soared under his exuberant, loving care,” the actress said in her memoir, Elizabeth Takes Off.

During the course of their short marriage, the couple had one child together, a daughter named Liza in 1957.

Elizabeth Taylor’s Green Hooded A-Line Gown for Her Las Vegas Wedding to Eddie Fisher on May 12, 1959

Taylor’s fourth marriage—this one to Eddie Fisher—was steeped in scandal. Following Todd’s death, his best friend, Fisher, remained by Taylor’s side to comfort her. The only problem? Fisher was famously married to Taylor’s best friend and former bridesmaid, Debbie Reynolds. Eventually, the two fell in love, and began a scandalous romance that led to their engagement—which was honored with a 40-carat engagement bracelet rather than a traditional ring—and their wedding on May 12, 1959.

The bride-to-be converted to Judaism for her soon-to-be husband, and the couple tied the knot in a synagogue in Las Vegas. Taylor wore a long-sleeved green silk A-line gown with a hood for the occasion. The marriage lasted until 1965, when Taylor embarked on an affair with Richard Burton, who was also married.

Elizabeth Taylor’s Yellow Babydoll Dress for Her Wedding to Richard Burton on March 15, 1964

Taylor and actor Richard Burton—they were later called “Liz and Dick”—met on the set of Cleopatra and embarked on a scandal-inducing affair. At the the time, both were married to other people. Nine days after Taylor officially divorced her previous husband, Eddie Fisher, the two tied the knot on March 15, 1964.

Burton proposed with a Bulgari pendant featuring 18.61-carats of emerald and diamonds, though he later gave her a 69-carat Cartier diamond ring. On the wedding day, Taylor wore the pendant as a brooch on her long-sleeved yellow babydoll dress, which was made of breezy chiffon. She carried a yellow bouquet and had a braided updo studded with hyacinth and lily of the valley.

The marriage was Taylor’s longest—she and Burton remained married until 1974.

Elizabeth Taylor’s Tie-Dye Gown for Her Second Wedding to Richard Burton on October 10, 1975

Though Taylor and Burton divorced in 1974, the two weren’t ready to say goodbye to a relationship forever. After just 16 months apart, the pair remarried on October 10, 1975, in Botswana. The bride channeled major 1970s vibes with by wearing a tie-dye green, pink, and blue gown by Gina Fratini for the occasion. Her look was complete with statement bell sleeves and feathered and beaded embroideries. The colorful gown sold at a London auction for $62,500 in 2011, Christie’s reports.

Unlike their first marriage, which last a full decade, this one was meant to be short-lived. The two divorced for a second time just nine months after the wedding, in 1976.

Elizabeth Taylor’s Cashmere Dress and Fur Coat for Her Wedding Senator John Warner on December 4, 1976

Taylor married Senator John Warner during an intimate winter wedding on the groom’s farm in Virginia on December 4, 1976. In keeping with the season—and in an effort to keep the bride warm—Taylor walked down the aisle in a cashmere dress and fur coat. She also donned a matching turban.

The couple remained married for six years, but divorced in 1982.

Elizabeth Taylor’s Yellow Lace Gown for Her Wedding to Larry Fortensky on October 6, 1991

Taylor was engaged two more times (to Victor Luna and Dennis Stein) after divorcing Senator John Warner, but neither resulted in a marriage. Finally, in 1991, failed engagements would follow before her next walk down the aisle she married Larry Fortensky, who she met at the Betty Ford Center, at Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch in Santa Ynez Valley, California.

The bride chose a bespoke yellow lace Valentino gown for the occasion, which was witnessed by 160-guests, including Liza Minnelli, Eddie Murphy, Nancy Reagan, Diane von Furstenberg, Arsenio Hall, George Hamilton, Merv Griffin, Quincy Jones, Macaulay Culkin, and Brooke Shields. The pale yellow gown was said to be a gift from the designer, but was estimated to have cost $25,000 at the time.

The two remained married for four years before divorcing in 1996.