Marilyn Monroe And Elizabeth Taylor: A Tale Of Two Icons

Now, let's talk about two of the most dazzling stars from the 1950s and early '60s—Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor. Picture this: two of the biggest female sex symbols in Hollywood history. But here's the twist—they didn't see each other as rivals. Charles Casillo, in his book Marilyn Monroe: The Private Life of a Public Icon, reveals that the media often made it seem like Marilyn and Elizabeth were constantly at odds, but in reality, they barely knew each other. And let me tell you, there was no bad blood between them.

When Hollywood Drama Unfolded

Let’s rewind to 1962, when 20th Century Fox was in a financial tailspin over Elizabeth Taylor's epic film Cleopatra, which was way over budget. The studio, desperate to cut costs, made a controversial move—they fired Marilyn Monroe for alleged absences from the set of her never-completed film, Something’s Gotta Give. Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Marilyn felt like she was being used as a scapegoat, sacrificed so Fox could save money on her salary and pour it into finishing the extravagant Cleopatra. But what happened next? Two decades later, Elizabeth Taylor revealed that she had actually reached out to Marilyn during this tough time.

"Liz told Marilyn she was willing to publicly demonstrate her solidarity," Casillo shares in his book. Elizabeth was ready to walk away from Cleopatra unless Marilyn was brought back to the project. Can you imagine the audacity and kindness in that gesture? Marilyn, however, didn’t want to make the situation worse for either of them, so she declined Elizabeth’s generous offer. But let’s not forget, Marilyn was deeply moved by Elizabeth’s gesture.

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The Wisdom Shared

Elizabeth didn’t stop there. She gave Marilyn some invaluable advice that could have shaped Marilyn's public image. "No matter what they write about me, Marilyn, I never deny it," Elizabeth reportedly said. "I never confirm it. I just keep smiling and walking forward. You do the same." Unfortunately, Marilyn didn’t live long enough to fully embrace this advice, but it speaks volumes about the mutual respect these two icons shared.

Two Legends, One Legacy

Now, let’s take a moment to reflect on the legacy these women left behind. Both Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor transcended their time, becoming cultural icons whose impact is still felt today. Their stories remind us that even in the world of Hollywood glitz and glamour, there’s room for kindness, empathy, and mutual respect.

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