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Elizabeth Taylor

Michael Jackson, “Moonwalk” autobiography (1988)

I love Elizabeth Taylor. I’m inspired by her bravery. She has been through so much and she is a survivor. That lady has been through a lot and she’s walked out of it on two feet. I identify with her very strongly because of our experiences as child stars. When we first started talking on the phone, she told me she felt as if she had known me for years. I felt the same way.

Elizabeth Taylor, ABC 2002 interview with Barbara Walters

He has been hurt by so many people. I think I’m the only person in his life that has not betrayed him.

“Elizabeth Taylor: My Love Affair with Jewelry” autobiography (2002)

Over the years Michael has given me some truly incredible jewelry. Once he gave me a huge diamond ring and kept saying, ‘Put it on, put it on. Look at the way it sparkles. I bet it’s bigger than the Krupp.’ So I asked innocently, ‘Really? How many carats is it, Michael?’ ‘Seventeen,’ he answered. I embraced him and whispered in his ear, ‘My honey darling, you missed.’

Another time we were at an auction together and I was getting excited about bidding on a pair of long shaggy Marina B diamond earrings, so I told him that he had to buy something, too. I showed him this delightful monkey necklace made up of diamonds, emeralds, and rubies with matching earrings. He probably thought I had something like ‘auction fever’ when I pointed out that the two monkeys symbolized us, bonded in friendship. In hindsight, I must have made some sense, because these little monkeys are perfectly at home with all my other beloved jewelry.

“Today” (November 23, 2003 statement) (archived)

I believe Michael is absolutely innocent and that he will be vindicated. The press has behaved so abominably towards Michael. Their whole reaction is that he is guilty. I thought the law was “innocent until proven guilty”. I know he’s innocent. I hope they all eat crow.

“Larry King Live” (June 26, 2009) (archived)

My heart, my mind are broken. I love Michael with all my soul. I can't imagine life without him. We had so much in common. We had such loving fun together. I was packing up my clothes to go to London for his opening when I heard the news and I still can't believe it. I don't want to believe it. It can't be so.

He will live in my heart forever but it's not enough. My life feels so empty. I don't think anyone ever knew how much we loved each other. The purest, most giving love I've ever known.

Oh, God, I'm going to miss him. I can't yet imagine life without him. But I guess with God's help I'll learn. I keep looking at the photo he gave me of himself which says, "To my true love Elizabeth, I love you forever.” And I will love him forever.

Personal “Twitter” (October 26, 2009) (archived)

"I was honored with the great privilege of seeing 'This Is It' last week. I was sworn to secrecy, but now I can let you know about it."

"It is the single most brilliant piece of filmmaking I have ever seen," Taylor tweeted. "It cements forever Michael's genius in every aspect of creativity."

"To say the man is a genius is an understatement. He cradles each note, coaxes the music to depths beyond reality."

"I wept from pure joy at his God given gift. There will never, ever be the likes of him again."

"And we have this piece of film to remind us forever and ever that once there was such a man. God kissed him."

"God blessed him and squandered nothing, but loved it all. Michael knew how to put together every tone, every nuance to make magic."

"To say he was a genius seems so little. I wish my vocabulary encompassed what I feel."

"You owe it to yourselves and your loved ones to see this again and again. Memorize it and say to yourselves, 'I saw genius in my lifetime.'"

"I loved genius in my lifetime. God was so good to me. I will love Michael forever and so will you, if you don't already."

"I hope I don't sound condescending. I'm sure you already know what I'm talking about, but go to see it again and again."

"If you listen to his lyrics they are those of a modern day prophet and it beseeches us to listen to him and what he sang."

"I won't use words like preaching because that is off-putting, but listen. Listen to his messages."

"From 'Black And White', 'Man In The Mirror'. The inspiration behind 'We Are The World'. We must take his words of responsibility seriously."

"Kenny Ortega did a masterful job of directing the process that goes into making a complete show before hitting the stage."

"From A to Z you get Michael's input on every level. Michael's genius at work with the dancers. Mr. Ortega catches Michael in his every mood."

"I truly believe this film should be nominated in every category conceivable."

David Gest, friend, “Independent Online” (March 25, 2011) (archived)

Michael Jackson considered Dame Elizabeth Taylor as “royalty”.

The late singer – who was known as the ‘King of Pop’ – was a close friend of the Hollywood beauty, who passed away on Wednesday, March 23, 2011, aged 79, and believed they understood each other because they had both been child stars.

Their mutual friend David Gest said: “I recall the time we were having dinner at La Scala restaurant in Beverly Hills. People flocked around her - it was funny because for once Michael wasn't the centre of attention.

“I remember he leaned over and whispered to me, ‘Now that's what you call royalty.’

“To Americans she was royalty, she was the closest thing they have to a queen and everywhere she went people fawned over her.

“Michael once told me that the reason they got along so well was that she was a child star herself, so understood him completely.”

Concert promoter David also revealed ‘Thriller’ singer – who died in June 2009 - would often shower the ‘Cleopatra’ star with gifts, and felt he could be “human” when he was with her.

David added to The Sun newspaper: “They would take trips together to New York or London. And Elizabeth loved lavish gifts. Michael would shower her with presents of jewellery and said she was like an excited little kid when he presented her with something new.

“She loved this specific violet rose which you could only get in this one Beverly Hills florist.”