Elizabeth Taylor had scoliosis and suffered back problems all her life. In October 2004 she underwent spinal surgery to repair seven compression fractures in her spine. “My body's a real mess,” she stated in a 2004 interview at the age of 72. “I've become one of those poor little women who's bent sideways.

What were Elizabeth Taylor's illnesses?

In her 79 years she suffered from injuries, scoliosis and skin cancer, and endured more than 30 surgeries. In the months leading up to her death Wednesday, those who knew her said she was wheelchair-bound with dark bruises on her arms.

How severe was Elizabeth Taylor scoliosis?

Not only had Taylor's spinal curve worsened to 53°, but she was also experiencing back pain so severe at times it would cause her to fall to the ground.

Did Elizabeth Taylor ever have any cosmetic surgery?

Elizabeth Taylor has certainly undergone some plastic surgery in recent years. The former Hollywood beauty has had a facelift along with Botox injections to maintain a wrinkle-free face.

How many hip replacements did Elizabeth Taylor have?

Icon Elizabeth Taylor had three total hip replacement surgeries, the first being on her left hip in 1994. She had her right hip replaced in 1995 and later underwent corrective surgery.

The Devastating Health Issues That Killed Elizabeth Taylor

Did Elizabeth Taylor have scoliosis?

Born with Scoliosis

While filming National Velvet in 1944, then 12-year-old Taylor was thrown off a horse and hurt her back. However it was not that injury but scoliosis, or a curvature in her spine that she was born with, that was responsible for the chronic back pain she faced throughout her life.

Did Elizabeth Taylor have two sets of eyelashes?

Taylor's twin-set of lashes are thought to be the result of a genetic mutation at the FOXC2 gene. (Funny that a woman most men would describe as "foxy" was possibly affected by the FOXC2 gene!) An extra row of eyelashes is known medically as distichiasis (pronounced dis-tic-key-i-asis) and it's a rare disorder.

When did Elizabeth Taylor have a hysterectomy?

Had a tubal ligation at age 25 and a hysterectomy when she was 36. First actress to earn $1,000,000 for a movie role (in Cleopatra (1963)).

Did Elizabeth Taylor insure her eyes?

Elizabeth Taylor's eyes, Bruce Springsteen's voice and Marlene Dietrich's legs have all at one time or another been insured with Lloyd's. In 1982, when National Football League players went on strike, it was a Lloyd's policy that covered club owners against the strike's impact.

Did Elizabeth Taylor wear braces?

In developing her into a new star, MGM required her to wear braces to correct her teeth, and had two of her baby teeth pulled out. The studio also wanted to dye her hair and change the shape of her eyebrows, and proposed that she use the screen name "Virginia", but Taylor and her parents refused.

Did Elizabeth Taylor have purple eyes?

Legendary actress Elizabeth Taylor's eyes were famous for being stunningly beautiful and distinct. Widely known for having the most striking eyes in Hollywood, Taylor had what appeared to be rare, natural purple irises.

How many husbands did Liz Taylor have?

And, well, she must have loved playing that part, because Liz would infamously walk down the aisle eight times (to seven husbands, marrying Richard Burton twice) over the next 40 years. Her first wedding took place in 1950, at the age of 18, and she didn't stop until her last stint as bride in 1991, at the age of 59.

What was so special about Elizabeth Taylor's eyes?

Taylor also had a rare genetic defect that resulted in her having two layers of eyelashes, which really helped give her colorful eyes that dramatic pop.

What did Elizabeth Taylor's eyes look like?

But much of the time, they looked to be a clear purple — and Taylor was certainly known for having violet-hued eyes.

Who has purple eyes naturally?

Violet eyes are sometimes found in people with albinism, which affects only one person out of every 20,000. But even people with albinism usually have blue eyes, hazel eyes, green eyes, or brown eyes. This is why it's believed that less than 1% of people in the world have naturally violet eyes.

Can someone have purple eyes naturally?

You might find it difficult to believe but it is actually possible for people to have naturally purple eyes. Most people associate this captivating eye colour with fictional characters and mystical beings. It is extremely rare and distinctive and is a common trait among individuals with albinism.

How much is Elizabeth Taylor's estate worth today?

It is believed that Elizabeth Taylor's net worth at the time of her death was between $600 million and $1 billion. The film icon structured her will as a revocable living trust.

How many times did Elizabeth Taylor give birth?

Taylor has four children, three she gave birth to and one she adopted.

Was Liz Taylor a heavy smoker?

Elizabeth Taylor died March 23, 2011 at the age of 79 of congestive heart failure. She also suffered from a lifetime of poor health and crippling accidents. Though she quit smoking in 1990, she was a heavy smoker for 40 years.

Was Elizabeth Taylor born with hair?

The Early Years. Elizabeth Taylor was born in London, 1932, to a prominent American art dealer and former stage actress. Taylor was born with a thick layer of black hair covering her body, a rare condition known as hypertrichosis. She also had a double row of eyelashes.

Did Elizabeth Taylor have lymphedema?

And it turns out that 7 percent of people with lymphedema-distichiasis syndrome also suffer from congenital heart disease. Taylor had a history of heart problems; she had surgery in 2009 to repair a leaky valve, and her death on March 23, 2011, was caused by congestive heart failure.

What is Trichiasis?

Trichiasis is an eye condition in which your eyelashes grow the wrong way — toward your eye rather than away from it. Having misdirected eyelashes causes your eye to become irritated because the lashes scrape against the cornea, the conjunctiva and the inside of your eyelids.

Who is the most famous person with scoliosis?

Usain Bolt: The World's Fastest Man

While most have heard the name Usain Bolt, many would be surprised to learn that the world's fastest man was born with congenital scoliosis that made his right leg .