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Wheelchair-bound Liz Taylor stuns in pink to help California celebrate gay marriage legislation
Last updated at 09:45am on 01.07.08
There's no doubt the party spirit still burns in Elizabeth Taylor. But at 76, the body sometimes can't keep up.
So it was no surprise when she took the opportunity to rest her eyes at a celebration to mark the legalisation of gay marriage in California.
Not that it stopped her cutting a dash at the glittering Hollywood event.
Elizabeth Taylor, cluthing her dog, attends a Hollywood party celebrating the legislation of gay marriage in California
A hot pink kaftan worn with a truly dazzling diamond and ruby necklace and matching chandelier earrings made sure she stood out from the crowd.
The frail actress, who clutched a small white dog as she was pushed to her car in her wheelchair, still had the star quality to engage her legions of admirers with a supercharged smile.
An aide helps the diabetic Dame out of her car
The 76-year-old gay icon put aside her health problems to attend the event
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Sex symbol: Liz Taylor in her fabulous heyday
Miss Taylor has long had a devoted gay fanbase which she rarely lets down. In April she wore £1.5million of diamonds, including a tiara, to attend a gay nightclub in Beverly Hills.
Given her many health problems, it is remarkable she gets out as much as she does.
She suffers from diabetes and congestive heart failure - where the heart is too weak to pump blood around the body - has had both hips replaced and had a benign brain tumour removed in 1997.
Miss Taylor, who was made an honorary dame by the Queen in 2000, has also survived viral pneumonia and is confined to a wheelchair because of osteoporosis.
Despite the setbacks, she is said to have fought hard in recent years to regain her health, with some observers even suggesting she has hopes of a film comeback.
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Reader views (5)
I love Elizabeth Taylor, she truly is a living legend, such an inspiration and one of the most beautiful/glamorous women ever to have lived.
- Jesse Jones, Auckland, New Zealand
I have loved Elizabeth ever since I was 15 years old. She was (and still is) the most beautiful woman in the world. I wish her the power of healing herself of those awful diseases.
When I was younger, I kept a scrap book of her, with James Dean, Montgomery Cliff and Rock Hudson. There will never be another Elizabeth Taylor. Her great acting and beautiful eyes surpass all the actresses today. Her Giant movie days were great and Cleopatra days were just incredible. I wish her good health and pray for her.
- Joyce Gordon, Niagara Falls, Canada
Liz Taylor is without a doubt one of the true forces of nature this world has ever seen. She has such grace and dignity and stands, in my estimation, for all the right things. She is an icon in the gay community because of her, "Never say die," attitude. If I were ever to have the good fortune to meet Liz Taylor I would simply ask her if I could kiss her hand, and If she agreed I would know that I had touched the divine.
- Mitch, cathedral city california
All I can say is I love Elizabeth Taylor. I have most all her movies, my favourite one being "Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf". Such inner strength and talent she possesses and, more importantly, such kindness she possesses is truly remarkable. It would be nice if these wonderful personal qualities of hers could rub off on others in our country where there is such discourse and mean speak.
- Lee Morgan, Oklahoma City,USA
Bravo, Grande Dame...you are as royale as ever. Thank you for all you have done for the gay rights cause. From a middle aged straight woman in up state NY who has worshipped you since "National Velvet"
- Karen Christopher, Saratoga Springs, NY, USA
