Elizabeth Taylor's Management: "She Is Fine" And "Surrounded By Family, Friends And Fabulous Jewels"

LOS ANGELES — Elizabeth Taylor was hospitalized for an undisclosed reason but was expected to return home soon, representatives for the Oscar-winning actress said Thursday.

A statement released by Dick Guttman, her Los Angeles-based publicist, did not say where Taylor was staying, nor did it specify what was ailing the 76-year-old actress.

"Ms. Taylor is fine," the statement read. "Her hospital visit was precautionary. She will be returning home shortly. At present, she is surrounded by family, friends and fabulous jewels."

Guttman said he had no further details about Taylor's health or whereabouts. A person who answered a call placed to Taylor's home Thursday, who would not give her full name, said only that Taylor's condition was "nothing to worry about."

A number of health issues have dogged Taylor through the years, including congestive heart failure in 2004 that, compounded with spinal fractures and the effects of scoliosis, left her nearly bedridden. She's also battled ulcers, amoebic dysentery, bursitis, acute bronchitis, two serious bouts of pneumonia, drug and alcohol addiction and a benign brain tumor that was removed in 1997.

The actress has remained a tireless AIDS activist, making rare public appearances to support the cause. She used a wheelchair and was swathed in jewels at the dedication of the UCLA Clinical AIDS Research and Education Center in November 2005. Her performance of "Love Letters" in December generated more than $1 million for AIDS research.

Taylor won Oscars for roles in "Butterfield 8" in 1960 and "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" in 1966. She also won a special Oscar, the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, mainly for her work as an AIDS activist, in 1993. She still lives in Bel-Air, a tony section of Los Angeles that's home to many of Hollywood's elite figures.

Her book, "Elizabeth Taylor: My Love Affair with Jewelry," was published in 2003. In it, Taylor writes about the many famous jewels in her personal collection, including the 33.19-carat Krupp diamond (a gift from Richard Burton) and the Duchess of Windsor diamond brooch.

Taylor continues to design her namesake jewelry line, available at posh retailers such as Christie's, and is developing a new fragrance.

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AP writer Bob Thomas contributed to this report.

Comments

[rzan]

I've often been critical of Liz, but have never missed one of her movies. I guess I'm a fan. Her health has never been good, but here she is, still designing jewelry and fighting the good fight. I do wish her well at this time in her life.

[YellowDogInRedCounty]

This reminds me of a story I heard back in the 80's when Liz was dating the car dealer. Apparently they had a spat and he brought her some lovely flowers to apologize. She reportedly responded "These are all well and fine but where are the jewels?"

Of course, it's only anecdotal and probably not at all true but makes me smile thinking of it in light of these comments.

[EarthToZoey]

Liz Taylor is beautiful from tip to toe. Always has been, always will be.

[marymansour]

I don't get the 'surrounded by fabulous jewels' part. Don't jewels carry bacteria? And where are they? In her bed or on the visitors? I adore Liz but found this bit of frippery slightly off putting.

[nighttimelady]

Elizabeth daaahhhling,

The best to you!! Hope you are feeling better soon!!

Cheers!!

[SharonB]

No woman on earth has ever been more beautiful than Elzabeth Taylor in that slip and white dress in "Cat On A Hot Tin Roof".

Of course, Paul Newman in that movie was the most GORGEOUS man...

[Aramingo]

Almost exactly what I was thinking as I read the article. Of course, it helped that when she was on her game, she was one hell of an actress. I hope she enjoys many more years of good health.

[MrPragmatic]

We should all be so lucky to have lived the kind of life that Liz has.

[BlueZoo]

THIS is a first! Not one mean or disparaging comment in here! I hope Adrianna copies these posts and sends them on to Ms. Taylor. She's a beloved acting icon and a great humanitarian. Her work w/AIDS put a human face on the disease when nobody else would. I'll love her for it always! Get well, lady! You are grand ol' broad!

[Voltage]

Being surrounded by fabulous jewels make a sick person feel better? Really? No, really?

[bigironal25]

Yeah, what the hell does fabulous jewels have to do with this woman's health?Her publicist sounds like an idiot!

[dartagnan]

From what I've heard about Liz, they probably do in her case.

[Bill C]

Get well soon! The world continues to need your fighting spirit.

[dattexas]

Now this is a great American! La Liz, you are loved! Get well and give 'em hell!!!

[ProfessorVP]

A great beauty, there's no debate about that. But I am not so thrilled with her former Republican ways, even married to boring Senator John Warner and palling arround with the Reagans. Plus her "friendship" or whatever you want to call it with pedophile weirdo Michael Jackson. And, if you really want to go back in time, being an over-the-top beard for Montgomery Clift. Oh, and the
little matter of snatching Eddie Fisher from Debbie Reynolds when she had 2 small kids,
then dumping Eddie when something better came along. But aside from that, a swell gal
with them goregeous peepers.

[rzan]

Elizabeth's greatest gift is that she is loyal to a fault. Michael Jackson and Montgomery Clift were her friends, and she did not desert them because they had major character problems. Montgomery Clift suffered greatly from mental illness and was very self destructive, but he was always her friend. I think she and Debbie have in recent years spoken to each other. I think they have similar opinions about Eddie Fisher, who is a major drip.

[S1m0n]

Amoebic Dysentry is about as unglamorous as anything on this earth could be.

[AgentMacGyver]

What a way to burnish her legacy. Except not.

[anastasiabeaverhousen]

You're a class act, dear one. Hang in there. We need your voice, even still today.

Get well, lovely lady.

[Vinca]

I saw most of Elizabeth Taylor's movies, she was a good actress, and so beautiful, I wish her the best