"You really are a knucklehead!" - Elizabeth Taylor Press Conference (1999)

On 10 April 1999, Elizabeth Taylor entertained a press-packed room at the Dorchester Hotel in London. Taylor was staying at the hotel ahead of that year's BAFTAs, where she was being awarded BAFTA Fellowship, the Academy's lifetime achievement award.
During a 40-minute session and sporting items from her renowned jewellery collection, Liz Taylor answered questions on a range of subjects including her connection to Wales, rumours of yet another marriage, her memories of staying at the Dorchester (including a near-death experience), whether beauty is a curse, and her favourite actors and actresses in Hollywood. Reflecting with candour and wit on her eventful life, Taylor explained what she believed caused the breakdown in her eight marriages, and pondered on what she might do differently if she could live her life over again.
#ElizabethTaylor #LizTaylor #Hollywood #BAFTA #Beauty #Death #Marriage #Jewellery #Actor #Actress #Icon #Legend
00:00 Introduction
01:34 Photoshoot
06:23 Press conference begins
07:50 On seven-year absence from Britain
10:03 On war in Kosovo
11:20 On connection to Wales
13:08 On Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
14:34 On receiving BAFTA Fellowship
16:11 On rumours of another marriage
19:10 On being a legend
19:41 How Hollywood has changed
21:05 On loving bangers and mash
21:35 On her near-death experience
24:07 On God and spirituality
25:29 On producing and directing
27:07 The curse of beauty
28:44 Favourite stars in Hollywood
30:20 On the Grand National
31:00 Tips for surviving in Hollywood
31:58 Being born in London
32:26 Advice for young women on men and marriage
34:52 The most attractive man in Hollywood
36:10 On life's regrets
36:53 On still being a hell-raiser
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[@Yathome00]

She was a national treasure. The millions she raised for AIDS research and other charities is amazing. A flawed human being who wasn’t afraid to poke fun at herself while doing wonderful things for others.

[@alexcarratu5554]

This woman was an authentic soul. RIP, Miss Taylor. Your films will live on.

[@missbzl1725]

What a sense of humor. How can anybody no love her?

[@judysouzaw2293]

Her childlike enthusiasm was and will always be infectious. Elizabeth Taylor was my idol when I was a little girl, and, at 78 yrs. old, I still love and admire her greatly. I’m reading “Elizabeth Taylor, the Grit and Glamour of an Icon” by Kate Andersen Brower, and enjoying it immensely. She was a true gift to this world.

[@musicgal1710]

I'm reading that now!! 😀 I have read a few of them and what I enjoyed most was the books Elizabeth wrote herself.

[@christianruiz5385]

One of the most incredible kindest genuine loving people on the entire planet, she loved hard, fought hard, she survived so much, she gave everything she had to others and she was an incredible person! So sad she's not here with us but her films and documentaries will live on and she will always be in our hearts, May she rest in peace! Her laugh is something she should have bottled, it would make the world a much happier place!

[@cturtleSSI]

She was plain and simply HERSELF, and that’s why I love her 💚

[@marionmarino1616]

She was smart. I don’t think people expected that.

[@stefanvonleuzbach6056]

A very lovely Lady

[@konstantinosconstantine]

And why do you think people didn't expect that?

[@marionmarino1616]

@@konstantinosconstantine How did you feel about it???

[@konstantinosconstantine]

@@marionmarino1616 about what?

[@IloveJesus777j77]

​@@stefanvonleuzbach6056Have faith in Jesus alone to be saved. ❤

[@kathreilly7050]

Witty intelligent beautiful lady and above all got a lot of spirit🎉

[@gerardmackay8909]

I’ve told my Liz Taylor story a few times and it always makes me inwardly smile, back in the early 90s a friend of mine befriended an older gay couple on holiday in Lanzarote (they had a holiday home there and Ian often subsequently visited them). One of them had been an actor, not a glittering career but he kept working and made a decent living. In 1962 he got several weeks work on the film, Cleopatra, playing a palace guard. He spent a lot of time on set with Elizabeth Taylor and she was warm and friendly ( they bonded over pet pictures and their mutual love of animals). He said most A list stars (and they didn’t come more A list than Taylor in the 60s) barely knew minor actors existed let alone befriend them but Liz was warm with everyone. They kept in touch and she even visited him once or twice when she was passing through London (went to his local pub and tried her hand at darts, badly, much to the amusement of the regulars). When Alan, the actor, died sometime around 2010 he was by then widowed and his sister was tasked with clearing his apartment and she told Ian, who she knew was a good friend, that there was a keepsake box and in it a Christmas card from every year since 1963, all hand written, with words to the effect ‘To dear Alan, wishing you a very happy Christmas, love Elizabeth’. It really tells you all you need to know about how genuine Elizabeth Taylor was.

[@janiceavila7119]

I love everything about her! Her beauty, her kindness, her intelligence and her love of laughter. This is 2024 and I still love and miss her.

[@gerardmackay8909]

@@janiceavila7119 The truth! So many famous people don’t live up to the image ( why indeed should they) but Elizabeth Taylor did. She was rich and privileged sure but her beauty went way beyond skin deep. Wonderful human being

[@Myownopinion807]

She was so beautiful and classy. I love to watch her films and bask in her beauty.

[@juliejames8531]

Oh wow what a lovely bright and clever woman she was. I've never seen her interviewed until today and I'm 61 obviously a Liz Taylor admirer!

[@senguptasayn]

That openness,that honesty,that fearlessness is what made Taylor an enduring icon.what a woman.

[@sappysuds4545]

She was a class act, 1000%

[@ceesan5605]

Lmfaooo right

[@Lommy9999]

Her stare is mesmerizing. She looks each one of them in the eye and you can see how strong and confident she is. A force of nature.

[@kimsmith1028]

She was amazing human being.

[@jm7804]

That sassiness, smile, and giggle!!!! Love

[@mariekauhi9034]

She was still beautiful at this age. She was smart, talented, and had a great sense of humor. RIP Ms. Taylor🕊

[@patriciam.1204]

She was so beautiful and the camera loved her. Fabulous woman.

[@DMfilmfan]

Fascinating to see a complete press conference of Dame Taylor. Great sense of humor! Seems like a few times she had trouble understanding what was said because of their dialects and the fact they're speaking very fast (to try and get in as many questions as possible).

[@LisaHerman1963]

I met her at the Galleria Mall in Clayton, MO. In like 1991. She was a class act and a funny, warm lady. She had more class in her pinky than most celebrities have these days in their whole body. Notice I say most, not all. Some have class, most, not so much.

[@seventiesmemories5116]

Oh my goodness, does that bring back memories. I guess she was doing a promotion. Liz was more the Frontenac Plaza type, haha..

[@adrianlee3497]

When they were alive, Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton's marriage was legendary.

[@akrenwinkle]

Marriages thrive best when both partners are alive, I've found.

[@superdougie10]

Say what you want about ole liz taylor but the gal really knows how to charm a room.

[@melisagalvalizi6982]

she was an extraordinarily clever woman who knew how to play the media, as you said, she charmed them.

[@marissar.359]

Elizabeth was so fun and didn't take herself too seriously. Love her forever!

[@noahfirstark]

As journalists they should've come up with less asinine questions than some of those. Are you gonna cry when you receive the award!? What in the world!

[@akrenwinkle]

Beyond asinine. Asi-ten.

[@musicgal1710]

So painful!!

[@slyeung6562]

Miss Taylor was the most beautiful and the greatest actress ever !

[@user-gn9vu7wn7t]

What a lovely lady she was, no nonsense at all!

[@elisemiller13]

Often asked such ridiculous and vapidm childish questions must become tiesome. And yet, she's so gracious, such at true queen, with easy going and genuine sense of humor and selfhood for all she has been through in her seemingly (to some) glamorous, reckless life. Even though she could behave as a spoiled diva, instead she comes with wisdom and patience. Even her scolding of one questioner as a "knucklehead" was said with gentleness. I think the world of the talent and compassion that Elizabeth has come to represent. She discovered what was truly important, by trying all the most extreme ways of the world and surviving and her soul remarkably quite intact.

[@aprilmorrison9627]

I can only HOPE to have her brilliant, sharp sense of humor one day! She was a GEM.

[@natalieinger2309]

Fabulous woman.Old school glamour and charisma.

[@user-bi8rz5ci1m]

Continuing loving her.

[@robincutti4596]

What a wonderful woman!!! ❤🌈🌹

[@joaopaulovieirajeronimo8547]

The great Star of all times

[@leecarson3426]

Elizabeth Taylor was absolutely beautiful and stunning until the day she died. She was funny, kind, smart and witty. Her laugh and smile are just adorable. She was a great, classy, unique lady.

[@2dogarageoxo]

Possibly the greatest actress to grace the silver screen, exceptional in every way! ❤

[@rosaa4630]

A true british rose I loved her.

[@yvonneplant9434]

Yes, in a way. Today when you google her it will say, British-American actress.

[@jmajesty79]

@@yvonneplant9434 Her parents were American

[@Chamsk]

She Was huge at her time …minds you she was the highest paid actress in hoolywood..none of actresses now can even match with this talent and her breathtaking beauty they got thousands of millions now with tik tok lol the real Hollywood is sadly over ..Elizabeth Taylor belongs to legend

[@angelman51266]

So witty and wonderful.

[@carolking6355]

A silly introduction. Liz is beautiful, wise and courageous. She has lived a life in terrible pain. That is not worth all she has suffered. I hope she rests in peace. So glad she had some time of great happiness with RB. and Sugar. I know how she felt. Love xxx

[@musicgal1710]

And don't forget MT!

[@seventiesmemories5116]

What a treasure she, was, so witty and warm

[@Stumper716]

“If I have hurt anyone in my lifetime, I would change that. I would not choose to hurt anyone.” ❤❤❤ Beautiful

[@jayniestanley4730]

I luv that lady. She was a ball buster actress. There will NEVER be another Liz.❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@Dimi374]

I absolutely love Elizabeth Taylor.❤

[@StopAllCrime]

Such a sweet lady. She left this world having done good things!

[@jodifritz9456]

Bless her heart💜....in heaven.

[@shaunreilly774]

She was still very lovely, I saw her on Broadway in 1981, and as she entered the stage door, a marvelous complexion and those eyes were violet!

[@TrangPakbaby]

Crazy that this legendary woman was considered “uninsurable” wow

[@sebastiankinnunen5549]

❤Such a gorgeous, Intelligent, now legendary talented real MOVIESTAR❤love her❤love from Finland❤

[@johnbird2586]

Vey interesting interview, enjoyed watching it, thanks

[@user-eg1qq5pv8k]

In her seventies blonde period very last years of life 1999 into 2000s. She was hilarious! She was like a very eccentric and unpredictable moody old grandma. She would speak softly and quietly one minute and then raise her voice the next. She seemed uninterested in being a beautiful icon at this time but really enjoyed attention for interviews and as always loved to talk about herself a lot. She did so much for the prevention of AIDS and for the support of LGBT, she was a wonderful human being, a terrific actress.

[@FuchsiaFire444]

That isnt her blonde period, her hair turned white after brain surgery.

[@stanleycoleman]

I love her so much.

[@missumenimsatanass]

She had a great sense of humor and knew how to play the press to a tee.

[@margaretlouiseable]

A great broad and lady!

[@joyleenpoortier7496]

Loved Liz Taylor who was a beautiful lady who cared about people. A brilliant actress but she was a diva. ❤❤❤

[@SandySaunders9142]

If Elizabeth Taylor was a diva and were she here, she would say to you that she personally does not go by the name Liz. She rather detested that nickname. First, last and always, Elizabeth.

[@jchow5966]

She was anazing!! I miss her. ☮️💟

[@SherriMiller-uk8bk]

She is so smart and so beautiful wish we still had her ♥️

[@loonylinda]

Always looking stunning, always a professional, very likeable, amazing woman. never to be compared. RIP beautiful woman

[@user-ny7tq8yz2e]

Nobody will ever be able to fill her shoes! She was the most beautiful and incredible woman on earth!

[@akrenwinkle]

When she spoke of choosing not to hurt anyone, I think she meant Debbie Reynolds, but not Eddie Fisher.

[@yvonneplant9434]

Apparently when Carrie Fisher told her that her dad had died, she cried. Is it true? I think it is. She knew she hurt Eddie F to the core. He was never quite the same afterward. Besides Debbie R forgave her.

[@akrenwinkle]

@@yvonneplant9434 I never believe things that begin with apparently or reportedly.

[@anairenemartinez165]

@@yvonneplant9434 She took on Eddie in the pain and grieving over losing Mike Todd. She fell truly in love with Richard Burton. So, why sacrifice more?

[@musicgal1710]

Eddie was cray cray!!! 😮😮

[@akrenwinkle]

@@musicgal1710 I love "cray cray." Do people still say that?

[@FuchsiaFire444]

Very intelligent, very deep heart, very funny, very endearing, very generous. Beautiful inside and out.

[@nathaliedufour3891]

What a WOMAN ❤❤❤

[@amiegee3134]

Humans are such a strange species, the way we treat celebrities like zoo animals in cages, we are all the same, we all have jobs that some are really good at it's just not in a public way, celebrities are just doing a job also, no one escapes real life though, they are no different than we are, maybe more money, more well known but still human.

[@heatherwhatever7714]

My Godmother was one of her nurses in a hospital visit. She said Elizabeth was so beautiful without makeup.

[@fob1xxl]

So honest.

[@michaelflick1177]

Such an extra0rdinary w0man.

[@halinatantau1506]

She was so beautiful. Rip Elizabeth

[@TheEdnaChannel]

Coitada, que assédio dos repórteres. Lyz foi um amor de pessoa!❤

[@ladyt3579]

OMG! I could not be famous, not even for a minute. "Ms Taylor! Ms Taylor! Ms Taylor! Look this way! Ms Taylor!" 🙄 Liz Taylor was legend though! 🥰

[@DanielleA2023]

This, her character as nuch as her takent, is why she is a legend

[@sandraannlongfield6046]

❤love her to bits what an inspiration RIP Liz some people are born to be famous..she had it all ❤❤❤

[@Fishbite9]

Elizabeth Taylor was not just beautiful and an accomplished actress, she was also a brilliant business woman. The lady had the goods.

[@feyhanemli1507]

The prettiest womsn on the screen after Vivien Leigh

[@jpadma9]

My aunts were young during Elizabeth Taylor times, they all wanted to look like her.

[@MalinForsman]

ET was bright, cool, divine, funny and with a lot of empathy! I wish she was still around!

[@sonebone3887]

What an inspiration 👏 !!! RIP BETH...😢

[@meganagetro6302]

This woman was beautiful from birth to end! Gods favorites

[@kathreilly7050]

💜

[@cliftonbowers6376]

Knew her very well ...😮😊

[@cliftonbowers6376]

Saw her in Dallas just before and later on too..😮😊

[@johnjames6620]

When the press was still kind!

[@anairenemartinez165]

What was the reason for this presser?

[@stumack9755]

ahhhh it states reason n video.

[@debramorales4283]

Held To Our Highest Regard❤❤❤ America's ONLY Royal Highness.....WoW

[@Stoker-yw8pm]

What a fascinating woman...they broke the mold when they made her.

[@nabilabouarraj]

❤❤❤

[@HildaBolivar]

❤

[@faithmapstone9982]

The Flashing Lights of Fame .....Rip Liz🙏

[@grant1088]

Elizabeth Taylor holding court look picture after picture amazing woman she was a rebel and a legend. 7:25

[@yvonneplant9434]

She should have let her hair stay blond/ white. She took after father who was prematurely grey/ white haired.

[@GaryYoung-eq1ph]

People who new her said she swore a lot

[@GabrielRodrigues-no5zk]

Liz envelheceu, enquanto seus olhos permaneceram sempre jovem

[@davidpar2]

LOL the reportress at :50 trying to make a feminist “victimhood” moment happen, and Taylor was having no part of it

[@nickdavidelijah]

Is her accent English or American? Or Irish? I thought she was English but can’t place the accent

[@inka87871]

it's a nigerian accent!

[@nickdavidelijah]

@@inka87871 😹😹

[@Queen_D777]

I love Elizabeth Taylor people were obsessed with her RIP Elizebeth we love you I had a girly crush and met him 3 times Leeds Wembley Italy Torino on my dancer tour we danced we had fun we had drinks me pepsi he had Aqua minarale sparkling he never drunk pepsi but boy did he make billions for them Aqua minarale Sparkling was a good drink to have on tour did he bathe in it I never asked him that’s privet and I’m a lady so respected his privacy I am 44. Now with my son Michel Deane Clarke aka mickyel and you all must now by now who he was named after Elizabeth’s friend the late great Michael Joseph Jackson ❤ He came he saw the grates and became one himself but the price of fame for a gentlemen and genius like him was in my humble opinion way way to high RIP Queen Elizabeth 2 Elizabeth Taylor Dame! And RIP Michael Joseph Jackson your will always be on my mind a long as I draw breath and when I don’t I hope my spirit will sore high and meet yours again or am I dreaming 3 talented people alarmingly bright who suffered terribly for there art and professional life all ET on earth but like butterflies arête or on u tube we love you all all the good entertainment that Britain and AmericAhsa to offer the latter 2 cannot be equalled but just another peek of little Michael Jackson and the Jackson’s will keep me going until I’ve had enough as it were we love you all hope the Jackson’s family go on to eternity love Grace longevity and peace to you all From Joseph down respect and blessings hello Janet take the batton and run until you’ve had enough hello Steven far-out We love you all bye Dianefionaclarke and Michel Deane Clarke aka mickyel the doctrting detective as it’s a new era now grace and blessings to all Kings and Queens and there worldly realms all over the planet to wich we all belong love you guys for eternity world just keep going I could hug you all far-our and over and fade fade fade out 🇰🇳🦁🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏝🇯🇲🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿👀🏴🏳️♠️🕛

[@Queen_D777]

Elizabeth Taylor recieving her Dame hood

[@Queen_D777]

Elizebeth Taylor getting Dame hood

[@Queen_D777]

Earth

[@Queen_D777]

lol

[@Queen_D777]

O

[@periwinkleblue2]

Why did the man making the introduction seem like he was rushing his speech and sitting so awkwardly?

[@debramorales4283]

And Maltese Doggies Are Indeed Very Intelligent Animals ❤

[@wmpetroff2307]

I agree with Elizabeth Taylor about Ava Gardner being beautiful.

[@main2333]

Back then. You had to be married to have sex. It just looked bad and didn’t want to offend God since it was a sin to do so not being married, society frowned against it.

[@carolynstewart8465]

That would get real old real quick!

[@shannonlewis8906]

Something intelligent. Boy you got that right. She’s more than beauty and a wife.

[@feyhanemli1507]

Why are we watch the cameras instesd of her

[@FuchsiaFire444]

Judging by most of the questions they obviously didnt realize how intelligent she was. Or maybe that just didnt matter and they were going to do it anyway.

[@davemattia]

If people swarmed around me like this to hear what I had to say, I would assume they were mental patients.

[@penelopeplimsoul3617]

It was her own version of TedTalk.

[@rhettjanes1056]

She was funny lol

[@maiopina6863]

Blonde hair didn't look good on her. But, she was a big star ⭐

[@williamj.crofts41]

No , not with her coloring.... Not at all