Elizabeth Taylor And Mike Todd: A Love Story Cut Short

Elizabeth Taylor and Mike Todd’s whirlwind romance lasted just one year, but it left an indelible mark on the iconic actress. She often referred to it as the happiest time of her life, a testament to the profound connection they shared despite their brief time together.

How Elizabeth Taylor and Mike Todd Met

Elizabeth Taylor, the legendary star of Cleopatra, met filmmaker Mike Todd in an unforgettable encounter at MGM. At the time, Taylor was still married to her second husband, Michael Wilding, but Todd wasted no time making his intentions known. “I see you’ve decided to shed that guy,” Todd boldly declared, referring to Wilding. “Now understand one thing and hear me good, kid. Don’t start looking around for someone to latch onto. You’re going to marry only one guy, and his name is me.”

Taylor later recalled being utterly mesmerized by Todd’s confidence and charm. “I looked at him, I guess rather the way a rabbit looks at a mongoose,” she confessed. “I was absolutely hypnotized.” Their chemistry was undeniable, and when Taylor’s marriage to Wilding ended, Todd wasted no time in pursuing her.

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While Taylor was busy filming Raintree County, Todd pursued her relentlessly, calling her every single day for six weeks. His persistence paid off, and the couple eventually tied the knot in Acapulco in 1957. Todd, who was 25 years Taylor’s senior, became her third husband and the love of her life.

In her 1988 memoir, Elizabeth Takes Off, Taylor wrote about Todd with immense affection. “God, I loved him,” she reminisced. “My self-esteem, my image, everything soared under his exuberant, loving care.” Todd not only made Taylor feel cherished but also inspired her to believe in herself in ways no one else had before.

Taylor and Todd made their grand entrance together at the 1957 Academy Awards, celebrating the success of Todd's blockbuster film Around the World in 80 Days. The couple welcomed their only child together, a daughter named Liza, later that same year. It was clear to everyone around them that their bond was something truly special.

The Tragic End of a Beautiful Love Story

Tragedy struck on March 22, 1958, when Mike Todd’s private plane, The Lucky Liz, crashed due to engine failure shortly after takeoff. Todd was traveling to New York when the disaster occurred, claiming the lives of all four passengers on board. The news of his death left Taylor devastated, as she had lost not just her husband but also her greatest love.

Documentarian Nanette Burstein, who directed the HBO original documentary Elizabeth Taylor: The Lost Tapes, spoke about the couple’s relationship in 2024. “I think he made her feel special,” Burstein explained. “I think she felt like she could do anything in the world, and I truly believe that he was the great love of her life.”

Taylor was heartbroken and struggled to cope with her grief. “I honestly didn’t think I would survive and didn’t much care if I did not,” she admitted. During this difficult time, she leaned heavily on her famous friends for support.

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Interestingly, Todd’s close friend Kirk Douglas was originally supposed to be on the ill-fated flight but avoided tragedy thanks to his wife, Anne Buydens. “When I told my wife about the plane ride, she said, ‘I don’t want you to go,’” Douglas recalled in a 2015 interview with People. “We had a big argument, but I’m so grateful now. My wife has saved my life many times.”

Elizabeth Taylor’s Life After Mike Todd

Less than a year after Todd’s death, Taylor began a controversial affair with Eddie Fisher, a close friend of Todd’s who was still married to Debbie Reynolds at the time. Fisher eventually divorced Reynolds in 1959 and married Taylor shortly afterward. However, Reynolds later expressed doubts about the sincerity of Taylor’s feelings for Fisher. “I don’t think she ever really loved Eddie,” Reynolds told People in 1983. “He was an interim interest during her mourning period.”