07/31/2008
Report: Elizabeth Taylor's Health Deteriorating
Elizabeth Taylor suffered heart failure and was put on a life support machine Wednesday night, according to tabloids:
"Elizabeth Taylor was put on a life support machine after suffering congestive heart failure, it was reported this evening. The 76-year-old's condition was said to have deteriorated after she was initially diagnosed with pneumonia last week. Her children were at her bedside and doctors warned she might not survive, said the U.S. publication National Enquirer. But the following day she improved and the dual Oscar winner was breathing without medical help last night. A source said: 'The doctors thought they were going to lose her. She's still very sick, but she's past the crisis.' The actress, a mother of three who adopted a fourth child with Richard Burton, was taken to hospital on July 15 when flu turned into pneumonia."
UPDATE: Taylor's rep. Dick Guttman released this statement: "Ms. Taylor is fine. Her hospital visit was precautionary. She will be returning home shortly. At present, she is surrounded by family, friends and fabulous jewels."
Sphere: Related ContentPosted 12:20 PM EST by Andy in Elizabeth Taylor, News | Permalink
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Liz is a fighter. But I know one day we'll have to say good-bye to her.
She's a hero in my book.
Posted by: Tralfaz | Jul 31, 2008 12:57:33 PM
She's done so much for us, even when it wasn't cool.
My thoughts are with her.
Posted by: The Milkman | Jul 31, 2008 1:25:57 PM
Michael Jackson will be devastated.
Posted by: crispy | Jul 31, 2008 1:31:33 PM
according to the National Enquirer? There isn't a grain of salt big enough ...
In any case, tabloids looking for a cheap story have been forecasting Liz's death for decades.
(Note to the under 30s out there: Ignore the old lady in the picture here and rent a couple of the movies she made with Montgomery Clift. For a fag hag and a more or less closeted fag, there were quite a hot couple onscreen. And best pals offscreen.)
Posted by: james | Jul 31, 2008 1:31:41 PM
according to the National Enquirer? There isn't a grain of salt big enough ...
In any case, tabloids looking for a cheap story have been forecasting Liz's death for decades.
(Note to the under 30s out there: Ignore the old lady in the picture here and rent a couple of the movies she made with Montgomery Clift. For a fag hag and a more or less closeted fag, there were quite a hot couple onscreen. And best pals offscreen.)
Posted by: james | Jul 31, 2008 1:32:51 PM
I have a direct hotline to the Elizabeth Taylor camp and she's doing fine. Ms. Taylor hasn't used up all her lives just yet.
Viva La Liz!
Posted by: John in Manhattan | Jul 31, 2008 1:51:37 PM
Taylor became that rare kind of woman—capable of being both bawydy "broad" and the most regal of stars. While simply a matter of genetic luck, there was no one ever more beautiful than she was in her late 50s and 60s films. There are moments in "Cleopatra" in which her beauty leaves even a gay man's jaw on the floor, and the giant, full screen closeups of her incredible face pressed against that of Montgomery Clift [almost as beautiful] in "A Place in the Sun" are as devastatingly romantic-sensual as any ever filmed.
Clift: “I’ve loved you since the first moment I saw you. I guess maybe I loved you even before I saw you. ...I wish I could tell you, tell you all.”
Taylor: "Tell Mama. Tell Mama all."
She was 17.
SEE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEuFNnJSIw8&feature=related
And long before her pioneering [and defiant—"I used to have doors slammed in my face, telephones hung up on me."] work on AIDS funding and education [stimulated by her friendship with the dying Rock Hudson], she had a legendary loyalty, no less for other gay friends. When Clift crashed his car leaving one of her parties a few years later, she not only saved his life by pulling two teeth from his throat but screamed at approaching photographers that if they took a picture of Clift's bloody, crushed face she would never allow them to photograph her again.
Salve Regina!
Posted by: Michael Bedwell | Jul 31, 2008 1:53:10 PM
Bless Elizabeth Taylor! I'm a big fan of her post-Virginia Wolff--X,Y, and Zee/Return Engagement--period. Truly wonderful, horrible movies.
She's cheated death a few times, I fully expect (hope) her to be around forever. If not, her legacy will.
Posted by: Mark | Jul 31, 2008 2:06:04 PM
she's one classy dame and my hat will always be off to her.
Posted by: alguien | Jul 31, 2008 2:06:21 PM
Does anyone know why she's been so sick for so long? Drugs? What's the secret?
Posted by: anon | Jul 31, 2008 3:17:54 PM
They've called her "The Last of the Great Movie Stars". I don't think anybody would really argue that.
Isn't it something to have once been considered by so many as the most beautiful woman in the world.
Posted by: Derrick from Philly | Aug 1, 2008 11:18:39 AM
I guess I'll weigh in here and pay due homage to La Liz. AIDS activism aside, Mother did give you those violet eyes, didn't she?
And Michael, that close up with her and Monty in APITS was devastating!
Posted by: banjiboi | Aug 1, 2008 11:50:22 AM