Richard Burton’s Passionate Affair with Elizabeth Taylor Revealed

The iconic Hollywood duo, Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, crossed paths in Rome during the filming of Cleopatra in 1962.

Taylor portrayed the title character while Burton took on the role of Mark Antony.

Their off-screen romance quickly grabbed headlines, despite both being married to others at the time—Burton to Sybil Williams and Taylor to Eddie Fisher—adding fuel to the industry gossip mill.

Their tumultuous relationship saw its fair share of highs and lows.

Initially tying the knot in 1964, the couple divorced a decade later only to reunite in 1975.

However, their love story eventually came to an end in 1976, leading to public revelations from both stars about their intense connection.

Burton famously referred to Taylor, his two-time spouse, as “an eternal one-night stand.”

The Vatican publicly criticized their affair, which had been widely known within the Cleopatra filming circles.

Reports suggest that their romantic entanglement began when Burton, inebriated, was helped by Taylor to drink coffee, sparking their illicit liaison.

The scandal reached its peak when Fisher, Taylor's husband at the time, departed Italy upon learning of the infidelity, causing a media frenzy that even overshadowed news of John Glenn's space orbit.

The Vatican's condemnation labeled their relationship as “erotic vagrancy,” drawing disapproval not just from religious quarters but also from American authorities.

Amid threats and bans, Taylor reflected on those turbulent times, describing it as a chaotic period filled with scandal, danger, and deep affection.

Despite the challenges, there were moments of joy amidst the tears.

While the couple did not have biological children together, they embraced parenthood through adoption.

Taylor's children from previous marriages became part of Burton's family, highlighting their unconventional yet loving dynamic.

Burton, who also had daughters from his first marriage, merged his and Taylor's familial bonds, emphasizing that their union was more about fiery passion than traditional domesticity.

In his posthumously published diaries, Burton candidly chronicled the rollercoaster nature of his relationship with Taylor.

Their love story, characterized by passion and frequent conflicts, was encapsulated in Burton's description of Taylor as his “eternal one-night stand.”

Despite the challenges, they shared moments of intimacy and humor, as evident in their exchanges captured in his diary entries.

Taylor's enduring love for Burton was evident even after his passing, as she chose to be buried with his final love letter in 2011.

Their heartfelt correspondence, featured in the book Furious Love, sheds light on the profound connection they shared beyond the glitz of Hollywood.

Burton's words of devotion to Taylor serve as a poignant reminder of their enduring bond, transcending time and circumstances.