Scandalous Love Affair: Richard Burton’s Brother Assaults Him Over Elizabeth Taylor

In a tale that captivated the world, Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor embarked on a scandalous love affair that not only drew attention from the Vatican but also overshadowed astronaut John Glenn's historic orbit around the Earth.

This passionate and often tumultuous relationship began on the set of Cleopatra, leading to the end of both their marriages before they eventually tied the knot in 1964.

However, when Burton first expressed interest in Taylor years before Cleopatra, she rejected him with horror.

The encounter that sparked Burton's infatuation with Taylor took place at a Hollywood party in 1953.

He described the moment as he saw her for the first time, “A girl sitting on the other side of the pool lowered her book, took off her sunglasses and looked at me.

She was so extraordinarily beautiful that I nearly laughed out loud.

She was unquestioningly gorgeous… she was a dark unyielding largess.

She was, in short, too bloody much.”

However, Taylor was unimpressed by Burton's flirting, believing he pursued any remotely pretty girl and refusing to become another conquest.

Nearly a decade later, Burton joined the cast of Cleopatra, reigniting their passionate connection and causing turmoil in both their marriages.

Taylor was married to Eddie Fisher, whom she had taken from her friend Debbie Reynolds after the death of her husband Mike Todd.

Burton, on the other hand, had been with his wife Sybil since 1949 but was known for his fleeting infidelities.

Despite turning a blind eye to his behavior in the past, Sybil could no longer ignore the chemistry between Burton and Taylor, which ultimately set the stage for their own tumultuous relationship.

As filming commenced on Cleopatra, Taylor and Burton shared their first scenes together in Rome in December 1961.

Taylor later revealed that during their initial encounter, there was no dialogue, only a requirement to look at each other.

She admitted feeling like just another conquest for Burton, who claimed to be hungover and nervous, even asking Taylor to steady his shaking hands as he drank coffee.

Their attraction was immediate and explosive, though neither fully comprehended the profound impact it would have.

News of their affair quickly spread throughout the set, catching the attention of the Italian press and soon becoming a global sensation.

Sybil, unable to ignore the rumors, flew to Italy to confront her husband, while Fisher attempted to manage the situation.

However, Fisher later admitted feeling excluded from Taylor's life and knew their relationship was falling apart.

Meanwhile, Burton's brother Ifor, working as his bodyguard on set, became enraged by the affair and physically assaulted Burton, leaving him with injuries that prevented him from working the next day.

Fisher confronted Sybil about the ongoing affair, but she believed that Burton would always return to her despite his infidelities.

The studio attempted to contain the situation, spending large sums of money to close down production whenever tensions arose between the two couples.

Burton, consumed by rage, threatened Fisher and taunted him about his inability to satisfy Taylor.

The affair continued to be an on-again, off-again rollercoaster ride of passionate encounters and intense fights between Burton and Taylor.

Amidst the chaos, Taylor was hospitalized twice after taking tablets, although she claimed it was never a suicide attempt but rather a way to force a break and recuperation in the hospital.

Burton also engaged in an affair with a dancer on set, leading to further conflicts with Taylor.

A romantic trip down the coast resulted in headlines splashed across newspapers worldwide, only for Taylor to flee back to Rome, where she was admitted to the hospital for the second time in four months.

Reports varied on the cause of her injuries, with producer Walter Wanger claiming it was a suicide attempt provoked by Burton's harsh words.

Despite the tumultuous nature of their relationship, Burton and Taylor couldn't resist each other.

Their love affair continued to captivate the public, culminating in their wedding in 1964.

The intensity and complexity of their connection left an indelible mark on Hollywood history, forever defining the scandalous love story that unfolded between Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor.