LOS ANGELES, Oct. 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The family and friends of Elizabeth Taylor commemorated her this afternoon with a private memorial held in the Steven J. Ross Theater on the historic Warner Bros. lot in Burbank.
More celebration than elegy, the memorial paid tribute to the legendary star's rich and colorful life, spanning nearly eight decades of a life led head-on and savored to the fullest.
Speakers referenced her breathtaking beauty, her determination to stand up for what was right, and above all, her great humor, generosity and joie de vivre. Colin Farrell hosted the program in front of the 400 invited guests. Speakers sharing their memories of Elizabeth included Sir Michael Caine and stepdaughter Kate Burton. Mike Nichols, who directed the actress to an Oscar-winning performance in "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?", contributed a touching video message. Grandson Rhys Tivey played "Amazing Grace" on the trumpet, a song that his grandmother loved. Sir Elton John closed the program with a moving performance of "Blue Eyes" as a tribute to Ms. Taylor.
There were also tributes to Ms. Taylor's post-Hollywood career, both in her outstanding success as a businesswoman with her fragrance White Diamonds, and her determined advocacy on behalf of people living with HIV/AIDS. AIDS activists in the audience were visibly moved as clips of Ms. Taylor lobbying in Washington, D.C. in the early eighties played on the screen.
"My mother was an extraordinary woman whose life touched so many, most of whom we will never know. Our whole family is extremely proud of her accomplishments, and know what a unique and special experience it was to have her in our lives. Today it was especially meaningful for us to be with so many good friends to celebrate her spirit, which will be with us forever," said son Michael Wilding following the memorial.
Those who would like to pay tribute to Ms. Taylor are invited to contribute to The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation at www.elizabethtayloraidsfoundation.org
Contacts:
Jamie Cadwell Gage
917.806.7656
jamie@insidethepool.com
Sally Morrison
845.652.0677
sally@insidethepool.com
SOURCE The Pool
