Shining Through Scandal: The Incredible Life Of Elizabeth Taylor

Elizabeth Taylor Gets Outspoken About Her Cause

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In 1991, Taylor founded ETAF, the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation, using the money she got from her wedding photos to help launch it. Taylor had become a fervent activist for HIV and AIDS awareness 1985 after her dear friend, actor Rock Hudson, had passed away after succumbing to the disease. Taylor dedicated much of the rest of her life to the cause and became one of the first celebrities to speak openly about it—even speaking publicly to get Washington to acknowledge the disease. Over the course of her activism, Taylor has raised more than $270 million for the cause.