I, along with the critics, have never taken myself very seriously.
Elizabeth, circa 1950.
© Photofest
Elizabeth’s legendary performances, coupled with her intense beauty, her passionate joie de vivre, stubborn spirit, and unapologetic lifestyle propelled her to an iconic status at an early age. Not only was she an original, but she was also a pioneer, albeit a controversial one, in both her personal and professional life.
The first woman to be paid one million dollars for a film—Cleopatra—Elizabeth set the stage for modern-day actresses, like Julia Roberts, to ask for more—and get it. Elizabeth’s talent, perseverance, and strength of character inspired countless women, who considered her legendary life a model for their own, if only to borrow a page or two from her book. Elizabeth did what she wanted, when she wanted, and how she wanted, and most of the time, to everyone’s amazement, including her own, she was able to pull it off. She did all of this without marginalizing her place in the Hollywood machine or pulling rank as diva; her professionalism remained intact, even when she struggled against illnesses and personal demons.
While her professional accomplishments were stunning, so too were the fairy-tale arcs of her torrid, sweeping love affairs. Yet for all the romances she conducted throughout the years, her most enduring one was with us, her public. Like a mad lover, we pushed her to the extremes of her limitations—all the while asking for more, more, more—and the free-willed, generous spirit that she was, she always gave back.
On being naive
When you are young and you fall off your cloud for the first time, you try to make yourself believe everything is still beautiful.
On perseverance
“Oh, I’m more determined than you think. I’ll win, all right.”
—As Maggie, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, 1958
On change
I think I’ve proven that anyone can change her life around and make it work. You only have to try.
On being passionate
Passion is the ingredient in me that has made me who I am. It’s my passion for life…my passion for passion that has made me never give up.
Follow your passion, follow your heart, and the things you need will come.
The things that are important to me—being a mother, a businesswoman, an activist—are all things that were borne out of great passion.
I’ve always admitted that I’m ruled by my passions.
Elizabeth, circa 1952.
© Photofest
On morals
When the sun comes up, I have morals again.
On humility
There’s always this terrible danger, when one talks about oneself, of sounding like you’re trying to capitalize on your emotions, your relationships.
Always keep love and humility in your heart.
On vices
The problem with people who have no vices is that generally you can be pretty sure they’re going to have some pretty annoying virtues.
On the difference between real life and screen
In films, it seemed I could handle anything. I knew all the tricks. But this was confusing. The tricks could not be applied in real life.
Elizabeth, 2002.