Hollywood Star’s Surprising Eighth Marriage Anniversary

An Unlikely Hollywood Romance

Exactly 34 years ago, on October 6, 1991, Hollywood saw one of its most surprising love stories unfold. Iconic actress Elizabeth Taylor married construction worker Larry Fortensky at Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch—a union that fascinated the world.

A Chance Meeting

The pair first met three years earlier at the Betty Ford Clinic, a rehabilitation center meant for recovery, not romance. Taylor, then 56, and Fortensky, 36, found comfort in each other’s honesty and vulnerability. Their connection was built on sincerity rather than fame.

Love Beyond Status

By 1988, Larry had moved into Taylor’s Beverly Hills mansion, entering a lifestyle far removed from his modest beginnings. Despite the glamour surrounding her, he loved Elizabeth for her warmth and humor, not her celebrity.

A Fairytale Wedding

Their 1991 wedding at Neverland became a global media spectacle. Over 200 stars attended, including Liza Minnelli, Eddie Murphy, and Nancy Reagan, while helicopters and photographers swarmed above. Yet, behind the spectacle, their love remained genuine.

Simple Joys Together

The couple enjoyed down-to-earth moments—riding Harley motorcycles, making snow angels in Europe, and sneaking off to small-town burger joints. Their shared laughter and simplicity grounded their relationship.

Challenges and Goodbye

Fame, illness, and lifestyle differences slowly wore on their marriage. In 1996, they divorced amicably, with Taylor granting Larry over $1 million as a gesture of respect and gratitude.

A Lasting Connection

Even after parting, they remained close friends until Taylor’s passing in 2011. When Fortensky died in 2016, it marked the quiet end of one of Hollywood’s most touching and unexpected love stories.