A Look Back at Elizabeth Taylor’s ‘Cleopatra’ in Photos: Inside the Film’s Scandal and More

Inside Taylor and Burton’s Affair

Burton, who portrayed Mark Antony in the film, had met Taylor years before working together. Their romance began after he showed up to the Cleopatra set with a hangover.

“He wasn’t a snob. He was the son of a coal miner and a self-made man,” Kate Andersen, author of Elizabeth Taylor: The Grit and Glamor of an Icon, said. “To Elizabeth, that was sexy and attractive.”

Wardrobe Details

Per Vogue, Taylor’s wardrobe for the film totaled more than $194,800, which included a cape featuring appliques made of 24-karat gold.

Demise of Her Marriage

At the time of filming, Taylor was married to Eddie Fisher. A health emergency she suffered on set led her to rethink her marriage. “It was only a matter of time for us,” the Academy Award winner said of her rocky relationship. “The clock was ticking.”

Opening Up

“I’ve always admitted that I’m ruled by my passions, and I can’t pretend I didn’t know what I was doing when I became involved with Richard,” Taylor wrote in her memoir.

After her divorce from Fisher was finalized in 1964, Taylor wed Burton that same year. They divorced for the first time in 1974.

Moving On

At the New York City premiere of Cleopatra in June 1963, Taylor and Burton were noticeably absent, per reports.

“We’d just had it with Cleopatra by then,” she confessed. “The whole thing. It was probably the most chaotic time of my life.”

The End of Their Relationship

Years after Cleopatra, the National Velvet actress and the Welsh actor decided to give their love another shot. They got married for the second time in 1975 but divorced the following year.

No Regrets

Despite the challenges of falling in love with Burton on the set of Cleopatra, Taylor expressed no regrets.

“Even though there were rough times, I wouldn’t give up one minute of my time with Richard Burton,” she said.

Critical Acclaim

Cleopatra was nominated for nine Academy Awards, winning four for Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Visual Effects and Best Costume Design.