Elizabeth Taylor’s jewelry collection, reportedly worth 150 million dollars, is set to be auctioned off at Christie’s. Including the Krupp diamond (at 33 carats) and every other jewel under the sun, her assortment is one of the most famous in the world and is sure to be highly sought after. Taylor’s jewelry is just as celebrated and well known as the actress herself, who has starred in such films as Cleopatra and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf.

On her 40th birthday, the actress most famously received a nearly 70-carat pear-shaped diamond from her husband at the time, Richard Burton. She was also in possession of the 50-carat La Peregrina pearl, another gift from Burton.

Born in the UK and raised in the United States, Taylor’s career spanned over sixty years, during which she won two Oscars and was nominated for another three. The actress’ career was also defined by an unprecedented eight marriages, many bouts with illness and longstanding commitment in social causes.

In 2002, Taylor decided to hold a charity auction at Christie’s where she was able to raise over $250,000 for the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation. During this auction, she sold a diamond rings, necklaces and precious stones to great success. She was also able to raise an astonishing 100 million dollars for AIDS Project Los Angeles, not to mention widening the exposure for the disease all across the country.

Never a slave to tradition, Taylor married and different seven different husbands, eight different times. Aside from Richard Burton (whom she married twice), she also married Eddie Fisher (with whom she allegedly had an affair while he was still married to Debbie Reynolds), Virginia Senator, John Warner, and construction worker Larry Fortensky.

Liz Taylor was also known for her tabloid-stricken friendship with another recently deceased celebrity, Michael Jackson. She was one of his biggest proponents during his numerous stints with controversy.
On March 23, 2011, Taylor died of congestive heart failure at the age of 79.

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