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Elizabeth Taylor: A Life in Pictures

Elizabeth Taylor died on Wednesday at her home in Los Angeles of congestive heart failure. She was 79. Taylor started her career onscreen at age 9, and went on to have a career that spanned more than five decades. Taylor received two Academy Awards, for her roles in 1961's "Butterfield 8" and 1966's "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" See pictures that capture moments from her life in the slideshow below.

In a pin-up style shot, Taylor shows off the beauty that made her famous.
In a pin-up style shot, Taylor shows off the beauty that made her famous. (Getty Images)
In one of her earliest roles, Taylor played Amy in Mervyn LeRoy's 1949 film adaptation of "Little Women."
In one of her earliest roles, Taylor played Amy in Mervyn LeRoy's 1949 film adaptation of "Little Women." (YouTube)
In 1951, Taylor played a socialite who falls in love with a working class stiff in "A Place in the Sun."
In 1951, Taylor played a socialite who falls in love with a working class stiff in "A Place in the Sun." (YouTube)
A still from "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof," starring Elizabeth Taylor and Paul Newman in 1955.
A still from "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof," starring Elizabeth Taylor and Paul Newman in 1955. (YouTube)
Taylor opposite James Dean in "Giant" (1956), directed by George Stevens.
Taylor opposite James Dean in "Giant" (1956), directed by George Stevens. (YouTube)
A still from "Butterfield 8," the 1960 film that won Elizabeth Taylor her first academy award.
A still from "Butterfield 8," the 1960 film that won Elizabeth Taylor her first academy award. (YouTube)
Elizabeth Taylor poses in 1961 with the Oscar she won for her role as a call girl in "Butterfield 8."
Elizabeth Taylor poses in 1961 with the Oscar she won for her role as a call girl in "Butterfield 8." (AFP/Getty Images)
Taylor was married eight times, twice to the Welsh actor Richard Burton (pictured at right).
Taylor was married eight times, twice to the Welsh actor Richard Burton (pictured at right). (AFP/Getty)
Taylor playing the title role in "Cleopatra" (1963), directed by Joseph L. Manikiewicz.
Taylor playing the title role in "Cleopatra" (1963), directed by Joseph L. Manikiewicz. (YouTube)
Taylor won her second Academy Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of Martha in " Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" (1966)
Taylor won her second Academy Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of Martha in " Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" (1966) (You Tube)
Franco Zeffirelli's 1967 adaptation of Shakespeare's "The Taming of the Shrew" starred Elizabeth Taylor as the ill-tempered Katharina.
Franco Zeffirelli's 1967 adaptation of Shakespeare's "The Taming of the Shrew" starred Elizabeth Taylor as the ill-tempered Katharina. (YouTube)
After her friend and fellow actor Rock Hudson died of AIDS in 1985, Taylor took up the cause with fundraising and activism. Here, she addresses an AIDS conference in Paris in 1985.
After her friend and fellow actor Rock Hudson died of AIDS in 1985, Taylor took up the cause with fundraising and activism. Here, she addresses an AIDS conference in Paris in 1985. (AFP/Getty)
Elizabeth's last theaterical role was in 1994's live-action version of "The Flintstones."
Elizabeth's last theaterical role was in 1994's live-action version of "The Flintstones." (YouTube)
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