A Passion for Life: The Biography of Elizabeth Taylor

by Donald Spoto

Born in England to socially ambitious parents, Elizabeth Taylor was catapulted into child stardom and molded by MGM into the great violet-eyed beauty of postwar America. Along the way, she also became an award-winning actress, without training or theory, without teachers or counsel, ultimately dazzling audiences everywhere with spectacular performances. Elizabeth Taylor has lived nothing less than an extraordinarily remarkable life. With an abundance of new information, internationally acclaimed biographer Donald Spoto explores the gripping story of her brutalizing six-month marriage to compulsive gambler and hotel heir Nicky Hilton, her romances with top Hollywood directors, and her marriage to the ailing Michael Wilding. Four years later, she would be swept off her feet by showman Mike Todd, into an alternately violent and loving marriage that would end after a year with Todd's death in a plane crash, leaving Taylor, at the age of twenty-six, a twice-divorced widow with three children. Here are Taylor's years with Eddie Fisher, Republican Senator John Warner and Richard Burton, with whom she would share a hedonistic, brash lifestyle that would virtually define the 1960s jet set. These years are at last fully and richly explored with mines of fresh material, some of it shocking, some of it funny, all of it shedding new light on the complexities of the most beguiling star in movie history. Spoto candidly explores all the highs and lows of Taylor's exploits both in front of the camera and behind the scenes. Throughout the course of her tumultuous marriages, Taylor never stopped making movies, and from Cat on a Hot Tin Roof to Cleopatra to Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Taylor dazzled audiences with performances that won her two Academy Awards. The cast of supporting players in her life is unparalleled and never less than fascinating: here are Louis B. Mayer and Jack Warner, Montgomery Clift and James Dean, Tennessee Williams and Franco Zeffirelli, Malcolm Forb

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Film, Biography Memoir, Media Tie In

476 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 1995

About the author

A prolific and respected biographer and theologian, Donald Spoto is the author of twenty published books, among them bestselling biographies of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Alfred Hitchcock, Tennessee Williams, and Ingrid Bergman. His books have been translated into more than twenty languages. Donald Spoto earned his Ph.D. in theology at Fordham University. After years as a theology professor, he turned to fulltime writing. The Hidden Jesus: A New Life, published in 1999, was hailed by the Los Angeles Times as "offering a mature faith fit for the new millennium." His successful biography of Saint Francis was published in 2002.

Reviews

[Shawn Thrasher · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are better biographies of Elizabeth Taylor, that arch serial monogamist famed for being at one time the most beautiful in the world, and also the most scandalous woman in the world, and mostly at the same time. How to Be a Movie Star: Elizabeth Taylor in Hollywood comes to mind. If you want read a book, check this one out. Spato's book is as manicured as a Beverly Hills garden and his writing is as clipped as the finest topiary. But that weighs against the book at times; Elizabeth Taylor is an over the top, lust for life character; she lived big, worked big, ate big, drank big, married big, divorced big, acted big, swore big, was big. Spato's book is anything but. HOWEVER, if you are inbetween seasons on You Must Remember This, the podcast that explores "the secret and/or forgotten history of Hollywood's first century" (if you are reading a movie star biography and haven't yet listened to Karina Longworth's glamorous and fabulous podcast, you need to go download and listen NOW), then LISTEN to C.M. Herbert read this book. She's incredible, mostly because SHE SOUNDS JUST LIKE ELIZABETH TAYLOR (Richard Burton, not so much). I was hooked into this audio within a few minutes, and love almost every single minute of it. Herbert's rich narration more than makes up for Spato's psychoanalyzing (and sometimes bullshit).

[Morgan · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you could not imagine a biography of Elizabeth Taylor being boring you would be wrong!
This one is.
It’s hard to say why I disliked this book so much but bland is the word that comes to mind.
While Spoto chronicles the ups and downs of her life I detected an undercurrent that the author did not want to write this book.
He added mundane things that were of no importance just to fill the page with words.
Elizabeth’s life was nothing if not passionate (as the title suggests), however this biography bears not a trace of passion.
I happily skipped my way along just to get to the end.
It was going to be a 1* - but I gave it 2* because I liked the pictures.

[Phyllis · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is my 1st Spoto book. I would think a biographer would attempt to be neutral, but it seemed as if Spoto doesn't like his subject. And with the details he writes of, who could blame him? I believe there is much more to this woman than these overripe romances he lavishes all his attention upon. Thirty some years ago, I read of biography of Montgomery Clift and I still vividly remember the marvelous picture that author painted of Taylor. That is the image I choose to believe is closer to the truth, not the insanely romance obsessed prima donna Spoto paints.

[Judith · Rating 2 out of 5]

The author attempts to psychoanalyze her too much. I don't care why the author thinks she did what she did. I want to know what she did and come to my own conclusions.

[Holly · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn’t expect much of the writing, and I didn’t get much. It was fine. Nothing to complain about necessarily style-wise, but also nothing to praise.
I don’t think I learned anything that I couldn’t have learned on Wikipedia. But it took up a lot more pages. Don’t know how/why her weight fluctuations took up SO much space in the book and her LGBT+ advocacy (and what seemed like more interesting parts of her life) took up so little.
I realize it isn’t a history book, but you can’t expect me to believe that none of the events of the 20th century affected Taylor’s life. It mentioned next to nothing about any of the major events of this era—Korea, Vietnam, Civil Rights, Cold War, public tastes or interests, budget struggles, or how any of those things affected Hollywood.
Also, I get it. She was emotionally stunted and damaged by a childhood in Hollywood and an absent father that she later relived in her many marriages and sought comfort through drink and narcotics. And she got paid a lot. Beat me over the head, why don’t you.
That being said, Taylor was a fascinating woman with a larger-than-life/stranger-than-fiction life story. She was the living embodiment of beautiful tragedy. I would have been terrified to watch her fighting with her husbands. But I guess she was really nice to everyone else.
My rating is no reflection on how I feel about Elizabeth Taylor. I am definitely interested in learning more about her and this era of Hollywood and its actors.

[Amy Schroeder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love old Hollywood and her story is as unique as most.

[Daniel · Rating 2 out of 5]

This year I've read a lot biographies of old movie stars and one of my favorite was Marilyn Monroe: The Biography written by Donald Spoto. When I saw that the same author had published a biography of Elizabeth Taylor, I was overwhelmed and was eager to start reading. Unfortunately, however, the book turned out to be rather disappointing, and the lack of passion is quite sensible. I think the story of Elizabeth Taylor is quite exciting and deserves better.

[Jaime · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a well-written and intimate view of the famous actress, Elizabeth Taylor. This biography opened my eyes and gave me a new insight into Ms. Taylor's life and personal struggles. She was a private individual who wanted to live a private and loving life. One thing I will say about this is that it is an incredible life!

[Circa Girl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I agree with another reviewer that this should really be called a filmography of Elizabeth Taylor rather than biography. I really wanted to know more about her relationships and personal, explicitly stated outlook rather than the author's interpretation of her character roles and analysis of her motives. It was however well written and was for the most part entertaining.

[Emily Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this book! I've read it 3 times!

[Nel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting, occasionally quite insightful biography on Taylor. Somehow disappointing to me for a Spoto book, though.

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's so sad that such a beautiful and talented woman battled so many demons during her life.

[Caitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is what introduced me to Liz and I have loved her ever since. She is a beautiful soul and she is my inspiration because of this novel! Worth the read, for sure. It could change your life!

[Ulla · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn't even finish it which happens very rarely!

[☯Lilbookworm☮ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing life, lady and book. Really in depth, and it didn't gloss over anything.

[Dort Hanshaw · Rating 1 out of 5]

Disappointing,

[Katherine Thornton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed it and understand her a bit more than before.

[Moira Mackinnon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Elizabeth Taylor was a true child of the studios. She never really had a childhood at all, but instead rushed into adulthood, marrying the abusive Nicky Hilton when she was 18. Everything she knew about life she learned from the movies.
A kind and loving friend, she has always been drawn to wounded creatures. Many of her friends belonged to Hollywood's gay community, and their deaths, particularly that of Rock Hudson, drew her into the fight against AIDS.
Others, like Eddie Fisher, Richard Burton and Montgomery Clift, were addicted to drugs and alcohol. Able to see the danger to others, she remained blind to the destructive route her own life was taking. Her disastrous relationship with Richard Burton and her own chronic ill health dragged her further down the path to addiction. Between 1980 and 1985 she was issued more than 1,000 prescriptions for 28 different drugs, all of which she washed down with Jack Daniels.
All of this provides great fodder for a biographer. Spoto takes us behind the scenes of a life lived in the glare of publicity and reveals a woman of honesty, compassion and talent who is, first and foremost, a survivor.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s no secret amongst my friends that my favorite actress of all time is Elizabeth Taylor. “A Place in the Sun” and “Giant” are two of my favorite movies, never mind 1949’s “Little Women” and “Father of the Bride.” I’ve been searching for a copy of this book since 2009, when I read Spoto’s gripping biography of Alfred Hitchcock. As a fan, I knew the broad strokes of Taylor’s life, from her rather charmed childhood and early roles in Hollywood to, of course, her storied life. This helped fill in some of the gaps that were missing, particularly her relationship with Michael Wilding. I think Spoto succeeded in being objective. He neither elevates Taylor to goddess nor villainizes her. Sometimes I wonder when I read biographies if it’s fair to psycho analyze - a constant theme that emerged in Spoto’s narrative was Taylor’s alleged desire to be “dominated” by the men in her life. Yet when she was married to John Warner, she was frustrated in this role. This book also referenced several movies of hers I have not seen, which I’d like to change! Four stars because I thoroughly enjoyed this and the narrator of the audiobook sounded so much like her. I wonder if that was intentional?

[Autumn Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting. The lives of child stars always seem so tragic to me. They are forced by their parents to grow up so quickly. Elizabeth Taylor's mother forced it even more having her eating oysters at 10pm in New Orleans at 2 years old. The woman never stood a chance at a normal life.

My bookclub chose this biography because we wanted to hear the details of all of her marriages and her life. She was such a glamorous woman in the public eye but what was she like behind closed doors? This was definitely a very interesting read. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Sheila Dailie · Rating 3 out of 5]

During my growing up years, Elizabeth Taylor was always famous. Though I don't remember watching any of her movies, I do remember her many marriages and divorces. Probably the most over-arching statement concerning her life was "the only life she knew was on-screen, and so she tried to act it out in real life."
I found myself aching for her deep desire to be accepted and loved for who she was, not her beauty, not her talent, not her money. Truly the tale of a life burned out early by seeking after the very things that the public though she had.

[Alina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elizabeth Taylor: A Passion for Life is a beautifully written, deeply respectful, and illuminating portrait of one of Hollywood’s most iconic women, Elizabeth Taylor. Donald Spoto moves beyond the familiar headlines and tabloid myths to reveal the intelligent, compassionate, fiercely loyal, and resilient woman behind the fame.

What makes this biography exceptional is its balance. Spoto does not sensationalize Taylor’s marriages, health struggles, or public scrutiny; instead, he places them in context, showing how they shaped—but never defined—her. He highlights her devotion to her craft, her unapologetic approach to love, and her groundbreaking humanitarian work, particularly her courage and leadership during the AIDS crisis.

The narrative is rich, elegant, and emotionally grounded, making this book feel less like a celebrity biography and more like an intimate life story. Spoto’s admiration is clear, yet his portrayal remains honest and nuanced, allowing Elizabeth Taylor to emerge as both extraordinary and profoundly human.

This is a must-read for classic Hollywood fans and anyone who appreciates biographies that celebrate strength, empathy, and a life lived fully and passionately. A truly fitting tribute to a legend.

[Tabatha · Rating 2 out of 5]

To be a book about the most dramatic and passionate woman in Hollywood at one time, this book was boring ! It was just a matter of fact book with no enthusiasm at all. Yes, I learned things that I never knew about Elizabeth Taylor. She was more dramatic in her personal life than I ever knew. However, I often had to overlook Spoto’s analysis of her to come to my own conclusion of how she truly was as a person. This was a very disappointing book.

[Lori Lunt · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent biography. I like that he seemed more impartial in his writing of Elizabeth rather than excusing her behavior because of who she is. Once again a “stage mother” starts her child on a path she wanted for herself. Then the daughter gets so twisted up that she doesn’t really know reality. Elizabeth Taylor was beautiful, compassionate and talented but always seemed to be playing a role instead of living a life. She was definitely a confused, twisted individual.

[Bill Hooten · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you were a male, and became a teenager in the early 1960's -- there were a lot of things that caught your attention. And for a while, Elizabeth Taylor was one of those, but here destructive habits quickl got her of that stage; there were just too many other competitors. This was interesting, but this story is one that almost anyone could make interesting, so it needed something else. It never did find that something else.

[Camille · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to know more about Elizabeth Taylor. Donald Spoto's biography was perfect. I listened to the audio with C.M. Herbert reading. She is a fantastic reader. I really liked the playfulness of the writing which made the book seem like an insightful and respectful view into Elizabeth Taylor's life.

[Mc · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audible. Not worth it. Surprisingly boring.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is good but the story is doll - a boring life behind glamorous facade … Nat much has changed though for many since then …

[Jak Krumholtz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really need to quit picking up books from the library free pile. (I'll never stop.) I don't think I've ever seen one of her films, ha ha.

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was far from literary genius but made for a fun, trashy read. Liz is a trip. Listened to the audiobook on my long walks with my dog