Elizabeth Taylor, the iconic Hollywood actress, captivated the world not only with her illustrious film career and eight marriages but also with her mesmerizing violet eyes.
Renowned for her roles in cinematic masterpieces like Cleopatra, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Giant, and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Taylor's eyes sparked both admiration and controversy, fueling debates over their unique hue.
The color of our eyes is primarily determined by the distribution of melanin and other pigments in the iris. While over 50% of the global population has brown eyes, Elizabeth Taylor's eyes were an intense blue that created the illusion of a violet hue. This rare tone, reminiscent of some albinos with varying iris colors from blue to gray, set Taylor apart and contributed to her iconic status.
Although true black or violet eyes don't exist, the interplay of red tones with blue reflections can create an intense blue hue, giving the appearance of purple under certain lighting conditions. Elizabeth Taylor's eyes, with the assistance of skilled makeup artists and expert lighting, further enhanced their natural beauty, captivating audiences worldwide.
An often-overlooked detail that added to the allure of Elizabeth Taylor's eyes was her possession of two rows of eyelashes, a rare occurrence. This unique feature, more exceptional than her distinctive eye color, contributed to the depth of her gaze. The contrast of the black double eyelashes accentuated the blue of her iris, contributing to the illusion of a violet gaze.
During the filming of "Lassie Come Home" at just 11 years old, a cameraman requested Taylor to remove her false eyelashes. In response, the young actress asserted, "It's not makeup, it's me!" This encounter revealed her early awareness of the impact her distinct eyes had on her image.
However, the story of Elizabeth Taylor's eyes is not without its shadows. The presence of supranumerary eyelashes, while enhancing her beauty, is associated with congenital heart problems. Some view this genetic anomaly as a "poisoned gift" that may have contributed to her history of heart issues. Despite her extraordinary genetic gifts, Taylor faced numerous health challenges, undergoing numerous surgeries throughout her life.
Elizabeth Taylor, born for the silver screen, left an indelible mark on Hollywood with her extraordinary talent and unforgettable gaze. However, her fragile health, coupled with the uniqueness of her eyes, became part of the complex tapestry of her life, culminating in her passing on March 23, 2011, at the age of 79.
