married eight times, twice after richard burton. she traveled the world with her children following her daily life. she had three oscars and many of her hollywood costars described her as a life-long friend. when one of those friends rock hudson came down with a then barely-understood illness, she raised money against aids and sometimes, that brought her here to san francisco. >> i am here once more to ask for your help, your compassion, and your love. i am here for those who cannot be here to ask for themselves. >> we begin tonight with the year elizabeth taylor began this part of her life's work, the year rod hudson revealed that he had acquired aids. we reported on the effect of the actor's revelation here in san francisco in july of 1985. >> people who have been working on the aids issue for the past few years seem unanimous in their reaction. they're saddened by the personal tragedy, but they see that aurg laker purpose has been served. >> that means that many people who know rock hudson can say this is a person with aids, this

she and burton made some dire films with one notable exception.ou could taste her pleasure in being lewd on screen and using her girlishness as a mocking put-on toy mask late her husband. >> maybe goodie boy didn't have the stuff. maybe he didn't have it in him. >> stop talking, mother. >> like hell i will. >> reporter: in a strange way that stuck to her more than any other role. the weight she gained for the part didn't come off easily. the drunk edge battles with burton became more and more the stuff of her real life as did the drinking. so though she could never match his. she was first rate in movies like reflections in a golden eye. but when the hits stopped she more or less through in the towel and picked up the mink stole. good roles weren't as common for american women after age 40. she wasn't about to seem to want them too much. the way bette davis and joan crawford did. she wouldn't be caught complaining that it was the pictures that got smaller. so life, being elizabeth taylor, became her performance. it wasn't all conspicuous consumpti

>> i think the degree to which burton loved and needed her.arked on that affair a lot of people speculated he's just trying to boost his own career as a movie star and movie actor, although he was a famous theatrical actor, but didn't quite make it to the top ring of film actors. so i kind of bought that idea. when i saw those letters, no, this is a man who's passionately in love and desperately needs this woman. >> it is a fascinating read. >> thank you. >> thanks for sharing some of it with us. nancy schoenberger joining us this morning. just ahead from movie stars to movie popcorn, theaters may soon have to tell you just how many calories and oh, yes, grams of fat are in those buckets with the imitation butter stuff on it. you're going to want to see what those numbers are. stay with us. this is "the early show" on cbs. how" on cbs. i didn't realize i was drifting into the other lane. [ kim ] i was literally falling asleep at the wheel. it got my attention, telling me that i wasn't paying attention. i had no idea the guy in front of me had

richard burton was a great actor. >> and a hunk. >> reporter: throughout the '60s, the burtons were the most celebrated couple on the planet. superstars before there was such a word. lovers and friends all showered her with jewelry, a collection considered one of the finest in the world. >> don't get your fingerprints on it. >> reporter: look at that. in later years, taylor successfully transformed herself into a businesswoman, selling perfume. but her humanitarian work may be her greatest legacy. using her fame, she raised millions for aids research, bravely standing by actor rock hudson, one of its first victims, when others shunned him. to the public, she may have been the last great movie star. but for those who knew her, she was also a loving mother and loyal friend. >> there have been so many lessons, life and death lessons, emotional lessons. i don't believe in regrets. and i have no idea what's going to happen tomorrow, no one does. >> and barbara walters is here now. we were saying earlier, we don't think of her as a pioneer, but her sheer fearlessness about her own choices in

. >> reporter: in "cleopatra," mark antony was played by richard burton. >> i want to be free of you. >> reporter: offscreen, the two fell madly in love and scandalously lived together before either of them were divorced. both the catholic church and the u.s. congress condemned them for living in sin. but she and burton obtained divorces and their marriage was later called the romance of the century. they were married for ten headline-grabbing years and starred in 11 films together. their lovers quarrels on screen and off were legendary. >> i will marry you. >> i'd rather die. >> reporter: still, burton showered his wife with spectacular jewels, including the famous 33 carat diamond. she showed me her jewelry in 2002. >> he said, i want to get you that ring. would you like to try? >> reporter: i would love to try. well, thanks, a lot, elizabeth, the interview is over. let's go home. >> reporter: but no amount of jewelry would keep the marriage stable. the two divorced, only to marry again, but that didn't last, either. >> it was almost like everything was too much. we loved each other

which she starred with richard burton.of her highly publicized eight marriages, taylor eventually married burton twice. those stormy relationships ended in divorce. >> it was almost like everything was too much. we loved each other, almost too much. >> reporter: most of taylor's husbands were rich and powerful men from conrad hilton jr. to producer mike todd who died in a plane crash to singer eddie fisher. her choice for last husband was a unlikely one. unknown carpenter michael fortensky. they married at neverland ranch. taylor and jackson were good friended. he honored her for her 63rd birthday. >> i want to thank you all for wing here. for supporting me. >> reporter: the televised event was held days before she underwent surgery to remove a benign brain tumor. in 1961 she nearly dpried pneumonia. she also fought a continuing battle for her weight turning to booze and diet pills for salvation. >> i consumed inordinate amounts of alcohol and combined with pills, it was deadly. >> reporter: it was her own medical problems

i was born in the same town as richard burton, the actor. i saw him. he and his wife used to drive their car into my father's shop. i would come up and as for his autograph and think i wanted to be like that. i wanted to get out of the environment i was in. a few years later, it all began to fall into place. it was a strange, mysterious thing. i believe in synchronous city. i ended up here. i visualized a lot of it. i did not understand anything about school, so i visualize myself doing it. i wanted to be a musician, but i did not have an instrument. i decided i wanted to be famous, so i became an actor. it took a long time. my life has been very easy, compared to some. richard burton was never close to his father. he came from a very large family. he said he arrived at his sister's house and said, "where's dad?" he was never close to his father. he arrived in dublin and his father was there. he said, "hello," as though i'd just been fun -- just been around the corner. my father looked at me and said "you have that money -- what for?" i have been askin

you bring up richard burton.ut how he and mike todd, telling you, the loves, plural, loves of her life. she was equally passionate about that. >> well, one doesn't know what would have happened with mike todd if that marriage had lasted because he was 25 years older. but the fascination with richard burton. the marriage, that he drank too much. then, they got divorced. and then, they got remarried. it's a passion that i think never ended. they couldn't make it together. they couldn't make it apart. >> and she was equally passionate about her friends. she was a devoted friend. michael jackson, they had a unique friendship. >> they did because she said neither one of them had a childhood. and they could relate to the fact that they were, in that sense, outsiders. she began to work when she was 9. and we all know about him. but also, i think the most important thing that she did was her coming out and talking about aids. rock hudson had been her friend. nobody had known that he was gay. and when he died of aids, it

her love affair with burton was over by 1976. but not before the couple had made one last iconic film... >> you what? >> couric: ...for which she won a second oscar, an explosive domestic drama about the unraveling of a marriage. >> i'm loud and i'm vulgar and i wear the pants in the house because somebody's got to. >> i don't think there was a reflection of their real lives in the characters of george and martha. but obviously taylor and burton had a tempestuous relationship. >> when i insult elizabeth, which i frequently do, i do not attack that soft spot in the under belly. >> my double chins? >> double chins. >> you bloody well have. >> couric: taylor would marry twice more, to virginia senator john warner, and finally in 1991 to construction worker larry fortensky, whom she met during her time at the betty ford center recovering from addiction to precipitation painkillers. her physical ailments were many, by one count more than 70 illnesses or injuries that sent her to the hospital, each one sparking a tabloid frenzy and mor

she co-starred with richard burton and became the brangelina of their day. the film "the sand piper" at big sur, fred pardini went on set, shooting stills. >> the two of them so charming that i felt like if i said gee can you have dinner with us tonight in my home in san francisco, they would have said yes. >> she would marry burton twice. one of seven husbands. and her humanitarianism in the activist against aids. >> we'll fight and win because it's right. >> she started american foundation for aids research. former health director mervyn silverman was the first president. >> she was helpful in raising funds and wareness when most entertainers and almost all stayed as far as they can get. >> because of her support he's getting medication. >> she stuck up for ghaiz not many would. she stuck up for hiv and aids rights to eliminate stigma. no one else would. >> the fight brought her to san francisco for the passport fashion know. and i met her, she was gracious. she would stay at the fairmont. >> she had friends traveling with her and what have you. and she wa

she costarred with richard burton. they met filming cleopatra and brangelina of their day.shot stills for the the old "san francisco examiner." >> the two were so charming i felt like if i said gee, can you have dinner with us tonight in my home in san francisco and they would have aid, yes. >> reporter: she married burton twice. one of seven husbands. marriages and glamour are one part of her life. it is her humanitarian that is a legacy. >> we will fight the odds and win because it is right. >> she started the american foundation for aids research. silverman was the first president. >> she was very active in raising awareness when most stayed as far away from aids as they could get. >> jason says because of her lobbying and effort he is getting information. >> she eliminated stigma when no one else would. >> reporter: it brought her for the fashion show. i met her back stage. she was gracious. she would stay at the fair month hotel. thomas wolf was the concierge. >> she had friends that traveled with her but she was not a demanding person. >> she is gone how but how would

elizabeth taylor at the height of her career, starring opposite the love of her life, richard burton. they married twice in a tempestuous and toward relationship, scandalous even by hollywood standards. by the late 1960's, taylor's best years as an actress were behind her, but she stayed in e spotlight with a weakness for alcohol, prescription drugs, and the trappings of luxury. in the 1980's, she emerged as a prominent activist in the fight against aids, but the superstar was plagued with health problems and was in and out of the hospital for much of her later life. taylor and critical raves with her intense performance in the tennessee williams classic "cat on a hot tin roof." >> thank you for keeping still. >> richard burton once said of her, "she looks at you with those eyes, and your blood turns." elizabeth taylor -- one of hollywood's immortal -- has died at the age of 79. >> back right afterlobal ideas l 3000. >> welcome back. libya appears further away from a cease-fire than ever. the battle between rebel forces and troops loyal to muammar gaddafi in its fifth week. under the

recuerdo que a ella no le gustaba que le dijeran señorita elizabeth sino como la señora burton.y se casó 8 veces, tuvo 4 hijos y 10 nietos, siempre vivió intensamente. >>> no solamente era una gran actriz, era una mujer que no podía dejar indiferente a nadie. >>>periodista: fue una pionera, la primera en recibir un millón de dólares por una película, elizabeth taylor tenía 79 años.

bill from 11 sala burton high school.is vision is that we collectively build a school that is truly good enough for his own kids. he built amazing part digits and allows businesses in community based organizations into the school to help to be the backbone of the restructuring. our high school principal this year is mr. bill capenhagen. [applause] >> so i wake up this morning, and it's like, you know, 5:45. my sinuses are killing me. my throat is a little bit foggy, and i push snooze during 50 minutes later, i like i need 7 more minutes. i finally look of the clock, it is 6:30 in the morning, and i think if i do not get out of bed right now, there is no way i could get to work early enough to excuse myself a 3:00 in order to be here to see you all. thank you all so much. thanks, mom and dad, who drove here from chicago, and all of the awesome high school people here. [applause] and lastly, i want to thank my burton people in the back who have come here to perform for you all. >> you are going to your bills acquired toward

she was married eight times, twice to richard burton.lor dead at the age of 79. >>> this morning, a bomb went off in central jerusalem, what appears to be the first terrorist bombing there in several years. the bomb went off a bus stop where dozens of people were waiting. officials say at least 25 people were hurt. so far, no deaths have been reported. israeli officials say >>> we want to bring you more on the life of dame elizabeth taylor. joining us in the studio kate quinn of people magazine and on the phone, dionne warwick. good to have both of you ladies with us. kate, you've been working on this for some time. you know so much about her. what is it you think that elizabeth taylor kept her an icon for so long, people of every generation know who she is. >> there's really been no one like her before or since. she is a caliber of star that can't be equalled. she's -- she was the last great, great movie star and an icon. >> dion, you're with us on the phone, if we can bring you in. >> yes, i am. >> good morning. >> good morning. >> let

theirs was a larger than life romance right down to the 69.5 carat diamond burton bought for her.ced in 1976. in 1991, taylor surprised everyone with her eighth marriage to larry fortensky, a 40-year-old recovering alcoholic construction worker. throughout her loves, taylor had two sons and two daughters. at 72 she revealed she had congestive heart failure. still, she never completely shied away from the public eye. when asked what she considered her biggest accomplishment, elizabeth taylor replied, i survived. manuel gallegus, cbs news, hollywood. >> she will be missed. >>> coming up a little bit later on "the early show," more on the remarkable life of screen legend elizabeth taylor. also, the latest on the incident at reagan airport, where the air traffic controller may have fallen asleep. and a popcorn shocker at the movies. why theater owners are pushing back against the fda. that's the "cbs morning news" for this thursday. thanks for watching, everybody. i'm betty nguyen. have a great day. ,,,,,,,,

they are reporting it's sarah burton.made the gown that the first lady wore at the state dinner for the chinese president. but burton tonight is the denying the report. but so did many of the designers of princess diana's gown. >>> when we come back on the broadcast, the puppies caught on camera, tearing through your things. but they were told to. [ robin ] my name is robin. and i was a pack-a-day smoker for 25 years. i do remember sitting down with my boys, and i'm like, "oh, promise mommy you'll never ever pick up a cigarette." i had to quit. ♪ my doctor gave me a prescription for chantix, a medication i could take and still smoke, while it built up in my system. [ male announcer ] chantix is a non-nicotine pill proven to help people quit smoking. it reduces the urge to smoke. some people had changes in behavior, thinking or mood, hostility, agitation, depressed mood and suicidal thoughts or actions while taking or after stopping chantix. if you notice any of these symptoms or behaviors, stop taking chantix and call you

she'd later marry burton not once but twice. in all, elizabeth taylor was married eight times including singer eddie fisher who was married to debbie reynolds when they met. there was also senator john warner of virginia and a handyman she met when they were both in rehab. they were married at michael jackson's neverland ranch. they would remain close friends till his death. through much of her life she's had health problems, near-fatal pneumonia, a brain tumor, substance abuse and weight problems. elizabeth taylor was a constant target of the tabloid media. like the time in 2006 when she reportedly was close to death suffering from alzheimer's. >> come on, do i look like i'm dying? >> reporter: taylor devoted much of her life raising money for aids research. >> if you reach out to them, you receive so much love in return. >> reporter: but it is what people notice first about elizabeth taylor that will remain in our memory, it was her eyes. they were violet and extraordinary. especially on the big screen. elizabeth taylor, a tru

aquÍ su esposo richard burton le comprÓ grandes de sus valorables joyas.entaciones vendidas a capacidad y que ya anunciaron que prÓximamente se va a relanzar en la gran manzana. >> muchas gracias. sin lugar a dudas es una mujer que en muchos momentos y en muchos lugares ha dejado huella y la ciudad de nueva york es una ciudad que... incluso yo por alguna razÓn tÚ me decÍas elizabeth taylor e inmediatamente me transportaba a la gran manzana. >> asÍ es, aquÍ se compraron sus mÁs memorables joyas. >> allÍ es donde se gastÓ el billete. muchas gracias, birmania, con la cobertura especial de la muerte de elizabeth taylor. >> listo? >> la hora de la novela. es tu fuerte. >> me encanta la novela. >> viste el triunfo del amor? >> cuÉntanos. >> te cuento. >> max se quedÓ todo como dudoso. >> con la duda! >> quÉ clase de hombre es ese. >> hablar firmemente con ella y ligarla a que le diga la verdad. >> la verdad? a quÉ verdad te refieres? luz? >> cruz? >> yo no soy quiÉn para decÍrsela, pero marÍa desamparada lo necesita mÁs que nunca. es su obligaciÓn. cumplirle com

. >> the high school principal from burton high school. [applause] middle school principal richar d kerchey. [applause] elementary school principal from new traditions. [applause] [unintelligible] [applause] human-resources administrator. [applause] central office administrator. [applause] and we have two for the valuing adversity award. [applause] [unintelligible] [applause] we have a very special award. >> the next person we are going to give an award to, we know what this person was doing 50 years ago. and they were beginning their career with the san francisco unified school district. this individual spent 20 years as a member of the teacher court in san francisco. and 30 years as an administrator in san francisco. she is well-loved by everyone in her school and her community. and within our school districts. please put your hands together for the principle of the elementary school. [applause] >> i would just like to echo what was said previously by jill wynns and ennis -- dennis kelly that we must keep our eye on the ball and keep doi

i want to give a big thank-you to linda brooks burton. [applause] because linda brooks britain last march invited me to plan this program, and i want to thank helen, who i work with in san francisco unified because she introduced me to bryonn bain, and she always introduces me to the various artists that come in to work in the school district. as i learned about bryonn and experienced his presence and i was thinking about putting together this program, it just clicked -- why not bring the two together to bring this link from the past unsegregated jim crow to what is happening in the 21st century and that has been happening? i think i was inspired by michele alexander's booke." >> it is my pleasure to say, ms. colvin, without you we would not be where we are. [applause] thank you for sharing your story, and keep telling your story because we need to know, and our children need to know, and our children's children need to know your story. and we want to thank our sponsors today. we have the san francisco unified school district. we have mar

richard burton was a great actor. >> and a hunk. >> reporter: throughout the '60s the burtons were thebrated couple on the planet, superstars before there was such a word. lovers and friends all showered her with jewelry, a collection considered one of the finest in the world. >> don't get any fingerprints on it. >> reporter: oh, look at that. later years taylor successfully transformed herself into a businesswoman selling perfume. but her humanitarian work may be her greatest legacy. using her fame, she would raise millions for aids research. bravely standing by rock hudson, one of its first victims, when others shunned him. to the public, she may have been the last great movie star. but for those who knew her, she was also a loving mother and loyal friend. >> there have been so many lessons, life and death lessons, emotional lessons. i don't believe in regrets. and i have no idea what's going to happen tomorrow. no one does. >> the people that knew her best say she was such a good mother. you didn't hear a lot about her and her four children but she had three children, adopted a daug

. >> at burton last year, in the first week of summer school. there was a gun related altercation. they took the conflicting individuals away and ended up through their case management relocating 2 of the folks that were in this conflict. transfer them to is a. after that first week. it died down. >> when you stations at all schools? >> i think there were thee sites where there wasn't the full collaboration. but this year, we have fewer sites. so we're going to be at every site >> why do we have fewer sites this year? >> this was a decision by the school district? >> do we have fewer resources. >> we expect there will be similar or hopefully, some of the same success. but it was about coordinating. >> basically having folks on site is a good thing and seems to have worked last summer >> i will like to ask you, if you can elaborate on what plans are in place this year to make it success. >> last year, there was a wave of violence. we tend to see an up tick. the mayor created a program. we have reconvened this year and started meeting in february to coordinate all the city's violence

. >> the high school principal from burton high school. [applause] middle school principal richar d kerchey. [applause] elementary school principal from new traditions. new traditions. [applause]

. >> he starred after her husband richard burton. is their romance was worldwide tabloid fodder. they divorced twice. >> it was everything too much. we loved each other but it was too much. >> eight husbands including the eddie fiber. her last husband she met at the betty ford clinic. >> i consumed inordinate amounts of alcohol and combined with pills it was deadly. >> they married at neverland ranch. she was be plagued with dozens of serious health problems. she then became involved national fight against aid and she raised more than $200 million. >> we will fight the odds and win because it was right to do so. >> and she was very helpful in raising funds and raising awareness at a time when most entertainers stayed away from aids. >> and fashion show in san francisco, one year, she also became the image of her own perfume. her later life was given to cause but we never stopped being fascinated by elizabeth taylor. >> her son released this statement. my mother was an extraordinary woman that lived life to the fullest that lived with humor and love. we know simply the world is a

. >> he starred after her husband richard burton. is their romance was worldwide tabloid fodder. they divorced twice. >> it was everything too much. we loved each other but it was totoo muchch. >> eigight husbsbands includinge eddie fiber. heher laast hususbandnd s she e betttty ford clinic. >> i consumed inordinate amounts of alcohol and combined with pills it was deadly. >> they married at neverland ranch. she was be plagued with dozens of serious health problems. she then became involved national fight against aid and she raised more than $200 million. >> we will fight the odds and win because it was right to do so. >> and she was very helpful in raising funds and raising awareness at a time when most entertainers stayed away from aids. >> and fashion show in san francisco, one year, she also became the image of her own perfume. her later life was given to cause but we never stopped being fascinated by elizabeth taylor. >> her son released this statement. my mother was an extraordinary woman that lived life to the fullest that lived with humor and love. we know simply the worl

elizabeth taylor at the height of her career, starring opposite the love of her life, richard burton. they married twice in a tempestuous and toward relationship, scandalous even by hollywood standards. by the late 1960's, taylor's best years as an actress were behind her, but she stayed in the spotlight with a weakness for alcohol, prescription drugs, and the trappings of luxury. in the 1980's, she emerged as a prominent activist in the fight against aids, but the superstar was plagued with health problems and was in and out of the hospital for much of her later life. taylor and critical raves with her intense performance in the tennessee williams classic "cat on a hot tin roof." >> thank you for keeping still. >> richard burton once said of her, "she looks at you with those eyes, and your blood turns." elizabeth taylor -- one of hollywood's immortal -- has died at the age of 79. >> back right after the break with more on the situation in libya. >> people with ideas aimed at halting climate change, doing their bit all over the world. >> is it 40% on fuel costs. -- i save 40% on fuel

richard burton twice. >> i think he's one of the finest actors honors. >>reporter: the taylor road into moviegoers hearts as a child actress in 1945 with national valve that. spiegel you're a pretty one pie >>reporter: actress downplayed her abilities. >> i love with the critics have never taken myself very seriously. my craft yes, but as an actress know. >>reporter: still taylor received five academy award nominations and twice named best actress for her role as a call girl in 1960 and as an ornery alcoholic wife in who is afraid of virginia woolf in 1966. through the years taylor battle the litany of healthy flows. it was a health crisis affecting other is that true for attention. she took up the fight against aids after close friend died of the disease in 1985. >> this is something, it's a catastrophe that belongs to all of us. it isn't a thing that belongs to a minority group anymore. >>reporter: taylor helped found the american foundation for aids research and established the elizabeth taylor aids foundation. later she publicly defended michael jack

i had just this weekend read the article on resident taylor and richard burton. i was very moved by that article. i hope -- i hope in the afterlife they are reunited. >> have you heard anything about funeral plans for her? >> reporter: no, that's too early. her son has issued a statement, as you know. but other than that it's -- there's talk about controversy where will she be buried. >>> in japan today, they've been able to restore power at one of the damaged rye actorses at a -- reactors at a nuclear plan. they plan to test a cooling pickup at the number 3 reactor today. it's the first reactor to have electricity stored since the quake and tsunami cut off electricity to that plant. they've been trying to keep them cool by spraying them with sea water. but radiation has still been leaking. >>> the government says the cost of this could reach $309 billion. that would make it the world's most expensive natural disaster on record. and the death toll continues to rise with more than 9400 bodies counted and more that 14,700 people listed as missing. >>> tonight, the

actor richard burton became her husband twice. later in life, elizabeth -- her act career, when she published a book and focused her attention on the world's aids epidemic. . in recent years as you mentioned she struggled with her health and hospitalized the last six weeks. again, her family, her four children, ten grandchildren were by her side when she passed early this morning here in los angeles. >> miguel almaguer. thank you very much. miguel in los angeles this morning. >> taylor won two oscars during her remarkable career. nbc's peter alexander joining with us more of her life and legacy. peter, good morning. >> good morning to both of you. this is sad news. obviously elizabeth taylor will be remembered than larger-than-life hollywood star. unforgettable performances on the silver screen. her personal courage off of it as well. she was described it is a last of a breed traveling with huge entourages, spending lavishly on diamonds and living a life of old-style hollywood glamour. she was one of the last of the screen goddess

burton. he is a patriotic american and stands for what he believes in and if we had more dan burtons in washington, the country would be that much better off. so we are grateful to him and his service. it is an honor to serve in this body. it's been rather frustrating lately. and one of the things i wanted to mention is that another good friend, former fellow judge as i was, a district judge -- i lost credibility believed when i became chief justice of the court of appeals, but my friend, ted poe, from houston, is pushing a bill i'm glad to co-sponsor with him and glad he is doing it. it goes hand in hand with a bill i have been pushing ever since i have been here, but congressman poe's bill would allow an up or down vote on all the different countries with whom we provide foreign assistance. it's a good idea. i mean for all the years that i have been here and each congress, three times, we have filed a u.n. accountability bill and my friend, ted poe, is co-sponsoring with us and i'm glad to

married timetables, including being -- married eight times including being married twice to richard burton. she became an activist for a.i.d.s. causes after her friend, rock hudson died. she died this morning at cedars- sinai hospital surrounded by her children. >> she's always been a star. it's hard to know what made her a star. i would say initially it was her astounding beauty and sensitivity. >> she was plagued by ill health and was hospitalized 70 times during her lifetime. ed a cedars-sinai, doctors -- at cedars-sinai doctors said her condition improved and doctors expected her to go home. in hollywood, fans are gathering at her star. the family is working on a public memorial. u.s. barbara boxer talked about taylor's work on a.i.d.s. at a time it bass not popular. >> i rely admire the way she used her fame to step out, in the early stage, when people were afraid to talk about a.i.d.s. and say i'm gonna fight to see that there's a cure. i've expressed my sympathy to her family and i -- i laud her involvement. >> you can go to ktvu.com for more on the life of elizabeth taylor. click o

her co-star was, of course, richard burton. >> remember, remember. >> forget? no. could never been more far away from new the nest. -- i could never be more far away from you then as. >> their romance was immediate sensation that when on and on. they married and divorced, then married and divorced again. that stormy passion with merit another oscar-winning performance. >> i am it loud and i am vulgar, and i wear the pants in the house, because somebody has got to. but i am not a monster. >> and then there were the other husbands. eddie fisher, the senator, and the builder, larry portenski. and through all this, the ill health. she had ulcers, a brain tumor, arthritis. but her charity work was for another condition -- aids. following the death of rock hudson, she was furious at the taboos surrounding the topic. >> everybody was talking about it. but like this. and nobody was doing anything about it. including myself. and then i got really angry. >> the foundation she helped set up has distributed more than $230 million. it was for this she was made dame elizabeth. a

richard burton acted together in a series of films. >> i wear the pants in the house because someone has got to. there remained -- they married and divorced twice. they remained close until her death. she fought fear and prejudice towards aids. elizabeth taylor had her problems with ill health and addiction but her indomitable spirit and lust for life meant she could not be thwarted. as michael caine said, she was a great human being. >> her death is being mourned and perhaps nowhere more so is the outpouring > in los angeles. we have the part of the story. >> hollywood is honoring an icon the way it always mourns its own. with a wreath on the walk of fame. there is an added touch. >> we asked the florist to select flowers to commemorate the color of her eyes. we thought it was appropriate. >> she made an impression on many. >> i thought if i came here, i would say my goodbyes. i have always admired her. i am really hurting right now. >> she did contribute a lot to the aids foundation and who she was an actress and her essence is pretty amazing. it is sad. >> among the many public fi

. >> married eight times to seven different men, it was her romance to richard burton whom she first married in 1964 and then again in 1975 that created a media frenzy. >> they were trailblazers for the paparazzi. there had never been anything like that. there had never been stars that big, there had never been a romance that big, that famous and public and scandalous. >> reporter: in 2009 she privately mourned the passing of one of her best friends, michael jackson. in her later years, it was her charity work for aids research that she says kept her going. stephanie stanton, nbc news, los angeles. >> really an american icon. a lot of tributes coming out for elizabeth taylor. >>> this comes to us from kxas nbc 5 in dallas, texas, where in nearby denton one teenager is pounding the pavement hoping to find some work in the world of politics. 18-year-old zorro is running for a seat on the city council. when he's not studying, the college student is campaigning meeting the residents he wants to represent. an incumbent opponent is his biggest hurdle on election day. but the chance to make

she fell in love with the role and richard burton, her costar, leading to one of the most 20th- century documented love affairs. they acted together in a series of films, including "who is afraid of virginia woolf? " before that, she won her second oscar. >> i wear the pants in the house. >> they married and divorced twice, but remained close until his death. the film roles began to subside, but her face and did not. she used it and her remarkable energy to work towards aids. elizabeth taylor had problems with ill health at and depression, but she could not be thwarted. as michael caine said today, she was a great human being. elizabeth taylor has died at the age of 79. >> hello and welcome. >> see the news unfold, get the top stories from around the globe and click-to-play video reports. go to bbc.com/news to experience the in-depth, expert reporting of "bbc world news" online. >> funding was made possible by the freeman foundation of new york, stowe, vermont, and honolulu. newman's own foundation. the john d. and catherine t. macarthur foundation. and union bank. >> union bank has put

you can't afford good liquor. >> brown: it was her affair and then two marriages to burton that becameindelible part of the taylor celebrity, beginning while filng the 1963 epic, "cleopatra." the hollywood press and american public couldn't get enough of the couple's romance and their breakups. in 1997, she reflected on their relationship in an interview with abc news. >> everything was too much, we loved each other too much. >> brown: over the years, taylor would become as famous for her stormy personal life and multiple marriages as for her film work. her first, at age 18, was to hotel magnate conrad hilton. it lasted just eight months. her second husband was british actor michael wilding. husband number three, movie producer michael todd, was killed in a plane crash in 1958. then came actor eddie fisher, who'd served as best man at her previous wedding. later on, taylor married john warner, who became a u.s. senator from virginia. they divorced in 1982. her last marriage came in 1991, to larry fortensky-- a truck driver and construction worker. it ended after six years. throughout h