![ELIZABETH TAYLOR Secrets, Lies LOST TAPES](https://cdn.magzter.com/1626675679/1721803784/articles/83lCYubCE1721989633276/ELIZABETH-TAYLOR-SECRETS-LIES-LOST-TAPES.jpg)
To prepare for her memoir, Elizabeth Taylor sat down with a ghostwriter to talk about her life. The candid interviews with journalist Richard Meryman touched on everything from her childhood and career to her public scandals, neardeath experiences and marriages. After her book Elizabeth Taylor was published in 1965, the secret interviews were stored in the writer’s attic for decades until they were rediscovered by his widow.
Based on these forgotten conversations, the new HBO documentary Elizabeth Taylor: The Lost Tapes allows the iconic Oscar-winning actress to tell her own story in her own voice. “It is so rare to have such a legendary star give extremely intimate personal feelings about their life,” Nanette Burstein, director of the documentary, which premieres Aug. 3, tells Closer. “There’s a lot of intimate revelations that people haven’t heard — 90 percent of the film is in her own words.”
An actress since childhood, Elizabeth confessed that the sheltered world of Hollywood left her ill-prepared for real life. “I received my own real-life kiss one week before I received my first film kiss — I must say the film kiss was better,” Elizabeth said. “I was thrown into the adult world. I had to behave like a sophisticated woman, [but] I was a terrified little girl.”
She admits that her own “naïveté” and romantic feelings of being “in love with love” led her to marry Conrad “Nicky” Hilton at age 18. “I was a virgin. Not only a virgin physically but mentally,” said Elizabeth, who admits she was “petrified” on her wedding night. The marriage would last just eight months due to his gambling, drinking and abusive behavior. “Nick was always in a temper or stoned or something,” said Elizabeth, who told her interviewer that the whole marriage was a blur. “I don’t want to talk about Nick Hilton, about him kicking me in the stomach and causing me to have a miscarriage,” she said.
FINDING HER VOICE
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
![DIANA RIGG Always Ahead of Her Time](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/25338/1821379/9pmEJccrk1725524394673/DIANA-RIGG-ALWAYS-AHEAD-OF-HER-TIME.jpg)
DIANA RIGG Always Ahead of Her Time
THE STAR OF TV'S THE AVENGERS FOUGHT SEXISM AND REVELED IN EVERY KIND OF ACTING ROLE
![HALLE BERRY FIGHTING for My Family](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/25338/1821379/gcT5EEgs71725524311225/HALLE-BERRY-FIGHTING-FOR-MY-FAMILY.jpg)
HALLE BERRY FIGHTING for My Family
THE OSCAR-WINNING ACTRESS WANTS HER TWO CHILDREN TO BE WELL PREPARED FOR BRIGHT FUTURES
![Memories of My Father, LAURENCE OLIVIER](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/25338/1821379/qk4XNkegV1725524117510/MEMORIES-OF-MY-FATHER-LAURENCE-OLIVIER.jpg)
Memories of My Father, LAURENCE OLIVIER
IN HIS LATER YEARS, THE GREAT BRITISH ACTOR EMBRACED A SIMPLER LIFESTYLE
![MICHAEL RICHARDS Why I'm HAPPIER TODAY](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/25338/1821379/5BL-kjFQt1725523729460/MICHAEL-RICHARDS-WHY-IM-HAPPIER-TODAY.jpg)
MICHAEL RICHARDS Why I'm HAPPIER TODAY
The Seinfeld alum talks about his new memoir, raising a son and his fresh lease on life
![5 WAYS TO STOP HUNGER PANGS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/25338/1821379/HDkDJjkmo1725523619572/5-WAYS-TO-STOP-HUNGER-PANGS.jpg)
5 WAYS TO STOP HUNGER PANGS
BEFORE YOU START SNACKING, TRY ONE OF THESE EASY TIPS!
![Creative Ways With HUMBLE BEANS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/25338/1821379/gZ5DGGeoF1725523367356/CREATIVE-WAYS-WITH-HUMBLE-BEANS.jpg)
Creative Ways With HUMBLE BEANS
Fast, easy and flavorful, these recipes give protein- and fiber-rich beans a delicious facelift
![The PRINCESS DIANA Only I Knew](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/25338/1821379/0s5ny6YJU1725523179800/THE-PRINCESS-DIANA-ONLY-I-KNEW.jpg)
The PRINCESS DIANA Only I Knew
THE ROYAL'S PRIVATE BALLET INSTRUCTOR OF NEARLY A DECADE SHARES THE SECRETS OF THEIR FRIENDSHIP
![BARBARA STANWYCK The Man She Couldn't Forget](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/25338/1821379/V5wlS6vuh1725522976765/BARBARA-STANWYCK-THE-MAN-SHE-COULDNT-FORGET.jpg)
BARBARA STANWYCK The Man She Couldn't Forget
THE SCREEN LEGEND NEVER MARRIED AGAIN AFTER SPLITTING UP WITH ACTOR ROBERT TAYLOR
![RAQUEL WELCH PERSONAL TREASURES FOR SALE](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/25338/1821379/nVma-_fmc1725522874017/RAQUEL-WELCH-PERSONAL-TREASURES-FOR-SALE.jpg)
RAQUEL WELCH PERSONAL TREASURES FOR SALE
On Sept. 5-what would have been Raquel Welch's 84th birthday fans and collectors can bid on more than 250 items personally owned by the late entertainer.
![She Was an INDEPENDENT SPIRIT](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/25338/1813600/7iB2iAzLt1724927536799/SHE-WAS-AN-INDEPENDENT-SPIRIT.jpg)
She Was an INDEPENDENT SPIRIT
THE STAR OF THE NOTEBOOK HAD AN INNATE TALENT FOR BRINGING COMPLICATED WOMEN TO VIVID LIFE