Elizabeth Taylor's Jewel Legacy: From Bulgari to Botswana

In 2025, the legacy of Elizabeth Taylor's iconic jewelry collection continues to captivate the world. Taylor, who passed away in 2011, had a lifelong love affair with diamonds and other precious gems, which she often wore and displayed.

After her death, Taylor's extensive collection, including a 19th-century diamond tiara from her third husband Mike Todd and the 33.19-carat Krupp diamond gifted by her second husband Richard Burton, was auctioned off at Christie's. The collection fetched over $137 million, with some pieces being bought back by renowned jewelry houses like Cartier and Bulgari, while others ended up in the hands of private collectors.

One of the most famous pieces, the 69.42-carat Taylor-Burton diamond, was a gift from Burton that Taylor had previously sold for $5 million. She used some of the proceeds to build a hospital in Botswana, showcasing her philanthropic spirit alongside her passion for luxury. The Krupp diamond, later renamed the Elizabeth Taylor diamond, was purchased by a representative of the Korean E-Land Group for $8.8 million and is now on display at their E-World theme park.

Taylor's love for jewelry was not limited to diamonds, as she also cherished other baubles, including the La Peregrina pearl, a gift from Burton that was once part of the Spanish Crown Jewels. This pear-shaped pearl, weighing 56 carats, sold for $11.8 million in 2011 and is now held in a private collection.