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| Dame Elizabeth Taylor, February 27, 1932 – March 23, 2011 |
This week saw the passing of Dame Elizabeth Taylor. She was arguably one the last type of actresses of her generation, which saw her mix her acting ability, undeniable beauty and her image, to make her a global superstar.
But behind all the fame and flashbulbs was a cause that was close to her heart; she was one of the biggest contributors to AIDS research and awareness. Through her life, she donated over $100 million to numerous AIDS charities and helped create the American Foundation for AIDS Research (amFAR).
She also started her own charity, the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation after she found out that her close friend, actor Rock Hudson, had been diagnosed with HIV in 1984. There was not much known about HIV/AIDS at the time as it was a very new illness, only having been discovered clinically in early 1981.
Unfortunately Hudson’s AIDS was fatal and lead to his premature death, aged only 59. He is reported to have said, “I am not happy that I am sick. I am not happy that I have AIDS. But if that is helping others, I can at least know that my own misfortune has had some positive worth.”
This is what spurred her personal motivation in helping so many people that have been affected by HIV/AIDS. She not only considerably raised the awareness of AIDS, but also donated huge sums of money to support AIDS charities and boost research into the illness that left her without a dear friend.
Dame Elizabeth Taylor sadly passed away on 23rd March 2011, aged 79, she will be greatly missed and not forgotten for years to come. She can rest in peace knowing that she helped move the world a few steps closer towards discovering a cure for AIDS.
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