Exactly 34 years ago, Hollywood witnessed one of its most unexpected and touching love stories. On October 6, 1991, legendary actress Elizabeth Taylor married construction worker Larry Fortensky at Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch. Their unlikely romance began three years earlier at the Betty Ford Clinic, where Taylor, then 56, and Fortensky, 36, met while in recovery. Away from the spotlight, they found comfort in each other’s honesty — she admired his grounded nature, and he saw beyond her fame to the kindhearted woman within.
By 1988, Fortensky had moved into Taylor’s home, marking a new chapter in both of their lives. Their wedding, attended by more than 200 guests, reflected the grandeur of classic Hollywood while also celebrating sincerity and hope. Stars like Liza Minnelli, Eddie Murphy, and Nancy Reagan were among those in attendance, while media helicopters circled overhead to capture the event. Beneath all the glamour, however, it remained a simple story of two people from different worlds who had found connection where no one expected it.
Their marriage blended everyday joy with moments of extravagance. They rode motorcycles together along the California coast, shared quiet meals away from the cameras, and supported each other through health challenges and public attention. Despite their different backgrounds, their affection endured through laughter and companionship. But as time passed and Taylor’s health declined, the pressures of fame and lifestyle differences gradually took their toll, leading the couple to part ways in 1996.
Even after their divorce, the respect and affection between them never faded. Taylor continued to help Fortensky after a serious accident years later, and they stayed in touch until shortly before her passing in 2011. When Fortensky died in 2016, friends recalled his gratitude for the kindness and love she had shown him. Their story remains one of Hollywood’s most heartfelt reminders that true connection can appear in the most unexpected places — and that love, in all its forms, leaves a lasting mark.