Hollywood's Most Scandalous Secrets
Old Hollywood was practically built on a roiling river of scandal. Forever fighting off rumors, these glamorous celebrities tried their best to conceal some of their naughtiest and most heartbreaking secrets.
Unfortunately, with the gossip mill working around the clock, these private struggles eventually breached the surface—and the details are as juicy as ever.
1. Richard Burton: A Mysterious Letter
Richard Burton was one of Hollywood’s wildest hellraisers and a formidable acting talent. But it was his tempestuous romance with Elizabeth Taylor that provided the world with the most delicious tabloid fodder: Vicious fights, passionate displays of affection, and bitter betrayal. Still, no matter how bright they burned—Liz and Dick were always doomed to a heartbreaking end.
2. He Only Loved One Woman
Although Burton went on to marry two other women after Taylor, she was the one who truly owned his heart. Three days before his sudden passing, Burton wrote Taylor a heart-wrenching love letter—the contents of which remain a mystery to this day.
On August 5, 1984, Burton suffered an intracerebral hemorrhage and closed his eyes forever.
Elizabeth Taylor was heartbroken, but she was no stranger to receiving correspondence from her devoted ex-husband.
3. He Confessed It All
Throughout his other marriages, Burton wrote more than 40 poignant letters to Elizabeth Taylor—all of them overflowing with declarations of love: "I love you, lovely woman.
If anybody hurts you, just send me a line saying something like 'Need' or 'Necessary' or just the one magic word 'Elizabeth', and I will be there somewhat faster than sound."
But none of these letters cut as deep as his final words to her.
4. He Left Her One Final Message
Elizabeth Taylor received Richard Burton's last love letter after attending his memorial service. When she saw his handwriting, she fell apart. From then on, she kept the letter next to her bed, ensuring that he was always in arm's reach.
Although she revealed many of his other letters, this was the one letter she kept for herself.
However, she did reveal one satisfying detail.
