Exactly 34 years ago, Hollywood witnessed a love story that no one saw coming. On October 6, 1991, legendary actress Elizabeth Taylor married construction worker Larry Fortensky at Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch. Their romance began three years earlier at the Betty Ford Clinic, where Taylor, 56, and Fortensky, 36, met during rehab. She was drawn to his unpretentious charm, while he discovered the woman behind the global icon. Soon, their bond grew into a secret relationship that captured the tabloids’ imagination.
By Christmas of 1988, Larry had moved into her luxurious estate, far removed from his working-class life. Their 1991 wedding became a Hollywood spectacle with 200 celebrity guests, helicopter paparazzi, and even a parachuting photographer. Taylor’s inner circle stood beside her, while Larry invited only his siblings. The guest list included icons like Liza Minnelli, Eddie Murphy, and Nancy Reagan. Beneath the glitz, their love remained genuine, built on unexpected connection rather than fame.
For a time, their life together was filled with joyful, ordinary moments. They rode Harleys along the Pacific Coast Highway, made snow angels in Switzerland, and sneaked into biker bars for burgers. Though Taylor showered him with lavish gifts, Larry continued working, refusing to be a kept man. But as Taylor’s health declined and the media glare intensified, their differences grew. Larry eventually left his job at her urging, a decision that left him feeling lost.
In 1996, they divorced on amicable terms, with Taylor giving him over a million dollars. Even after parting, their bond endured through phone calls and quiet support. She helped him financially after a life-altering accident, and their last conversation came the day before she entered the hospital. When she died in 2011, he was heartbroken but grateful for their time together. Larry passed away in 2016, closing one of Hollywood’s most surprising and heartfelt love stories.