The Elizabeth Taylor house represents one of Hollywood’s most treasured pieces of real estate history. This property at 700 Nimes Road became the final residence where the legendary actress spent three decades of her remarkable life. Her Bel Air home wasn’t just another celebrity mansion. It was a warm family retreat where one of cinema’s brightest stars chose to live away from the spotlight.
Who is Elizabeth Taylor?
Elizabeth Taylor was an English and American actress who began her career as a child star in the early 1940s and became one of the most popular stars of classical Hollywood cinema in the 1950s. She became a global icon known for her striking violet eyes and incredible acting talent. At the time of her death in 2011, Taylor had a net worth of $600 million.
Her perfume lines, particularly White Diamonds and Passion, had generated more than $1 billion in sales by the time of her death. The actress built an empire that went far beyond acting. She owned a collection of cars, though specific details remain private. Her jewelry collection alone was worth around $150 million. Much of Elizabeth Taylor’s jewelry collection was auctioned by Christie’s in 2011 and brought in $156.8 million.
Taylor’s real estate portfolio was valued at $130 million. She didn’t own a yacht or private islands, but she did travel extensively throughout her life. There’s no confirmed information about her owning a private jet, though she certainly had the means to charter them when needed.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Dame Elizabeth Rosemond Taylor |
| Date of Birth | February 27, 1932 |
| Place of Birth | London, England |
| Date of Death | March 23, 2011 |
| Place of Death | Los Angeles, California |
| Net Worth | $600 million – $1 billion |
| Profession | Actress, Businesswoman, Humanitarian |
| Academy Awards | 2 (Best Actress) |
| Marriages | 8 (to 7 different men) |
| Children | 4 (Michael Jr., Christopher, Liza, Maria) |
Where Does Elizabeth Taylor Live Now?
Elizabeth Taylor passed away on March 23, 2011. Taylor died of congestive heart failure at the age of 79. She spent her final years at her beloved Bel Air home, where she was surrounded by family and friends. According to her son, Christopher Wilding, the home was a “focal point for the family” where holidays were always celebrated.
The actress had been hospitalized at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles in early 2011 as she struggled with heart issues. Her four children were with her at the end. She also left behind 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Elizabeth Taylor House
The Elizabeth Taylor house at 700 Nimes Road in Bel Air stands as a monument to the actress’s personal style and values. Taylor bought the house in February 1982 for $2 million and lived there until her death in 2011. This wasn’t just a house for the star. It was her sanctuary for 30 years.
The 7,000-square-foot home is a 1960s style ranch house and sits on 1.27 acres. The property came with mature landscaping that created a private oasis in the middle of Los Angeles. The house had previously been the home of Nancy Sinatra, the first wife of Frank Sinatra.
What made this home special wasn’t its size or grandeur. Taylor’s biographer Alexander Walker described the house as “surprisingly modest” for someone as wealthy and influential as herself. She wanted warmth and comfort, not flashy displays of wealth. Fashion designer Valentino noted that at home she liked a cozy life, friends, and good food.
1. Where Is Elizabeth Taylor House?
The Elizabeth Taylor house sits at 700 Nimes Road in the Bel Air district of Los Angeles, California. The ranch is a private Los Angeles enclave, surrounded by mature foliage and located at the end of a long driveway. The East Gate neighborhood of Bel Air offered the privacy and security that Taylor needed while still being close to the heart of Los Angeles.
The property featured a private driveway with a guard gate. This location gave Taylor the perfect balance between accessibility and seclusion. She could host family gatherings and entertain friends without worrying about intrusion.
After Taylor’s death, the property changed hands several times. The house was put up for sale after Taylor’s death with a guide price of $8.6 million and was sold to Rocky Malhotra, an Indian businessman. In 2021, the property was bought for $11 million by real estate developer Ardie Tavangarian in an off-market deal.
2. Features of Elizabeth Taylor House
The Elizabeth Taylor house featured a design that put family and comfort first. The main floor included a spacious living room with a wood-beam ceiling and wood-burning fireplace that opened to a sitting room and dining room, all with direct access to the outdoor pool and terrace. Every room was designed to bring people together.
The house was 7,000 square feet with 6 bedrooms and a staff suite. The first floor also had a galley-style country kitchen. There was a screening room that Taylor later used as an office. The property included at least two powder rooms, one of which had a sauna and shower for the pool. The master suite was on the first floor, along with two family bedrooms with garden access and maid’s quarters.
The house was redecorated by Waldo Fernandez with white carpets and furniture in 1984 and with lavender upholstery in 2010. The lavender color was chosen to echo Taylor’s famous violet eyes. Taylor’s bedroom was originally decorated by Fernandez in white fabric, printed with little purple and yellow flowers from Porthault and redesigned in blue in 2010.
The outdoor space was just as important as the interior. The garden was designed by Nicholas Walker, whom Taylor told of her ambition to duplicate an authentic English herbaceous border. Walker said in an interview with Architectural Digest that “Her desire was for color and more color, all the time. Let’s be bold!” The garden featured a variety of pansies and other colorful plants.
The property featured a swimming pool with spa, English rose garden, a koi pond, maid’s quarters, a downstairs master suite, and a second master suite upstairs with treetop views. There was also a trophy room on the ground floor where Taylor displayed her various awards and honors and photographs with other celebrities.
The house contained treasures beyond measure. Taylor filled her home with art, including a Frans Hals portrait, Impressionist paintings, and an Andy Warhol portrait of herself. The actress invited both Architectural Digest and artist Catherine Opie inside 700 Nimes Road while she was hospitalized to photograph the house.
Catherine Opie took over 3,000 images during a six-month period, which were later edited down to 129 photographs for the book “700 Nimes Road.” These photos showed exactly how Taylor was living at the time of her death. The images captured everything from her extensive shoe collection to her jewelry, perfumes, family photographs, and other personal items.
Elizabeth Taylor Real Estate Portfolio
Elizabeth Taylor lived in several notable properties throughout her life. Each home represented a different chapter in her remarkable story.
Childhood Home in London: Elizabeth Taylor was born in 1932 in Hampstead, in the northern part of London at a house called Heathwood at 8 Wildwood Road. She lived in this brick house until 1939 when her family returned to the United States as Europe descended into World War II.
Beverly Hills Family Home: After returning to America, the Taylor family lived in Pacific Palisades before moving to Beverly Hills in 1941. This is where young Elizabeth grew up while launching her film career.
Beverly Hills Estate with Michael Wilding: In 1954, Taylor and her second husband Michael Wilding purchased a property at 1375 Beverly Estates Drive in Beverly Hills. The estate sits on just over 2 acres with 7,761 square feet of living space. The couple raised their two sons here before divorcing in 1957. The property was put on the market in 2018 for $15.9 million.
Beverly Hills Home with Mike Todd: After her separation from Michael Wilding in 1957, Taylor married producer Mike Todd and they lived in a white stucco Beverly Hills mansion in a Mediterranean style at 1330 Schuyler Drive. Sadly, Todd died in a plane crash in 1958, and Taylor moved back to Bel Air.
700 Nimes Road, Bel Air: This became Taylor’s final and longest-held residence. She purchased it in 1981 or 1982 and lived there for 30 years until her death in 2011. This property represented stability and family for the actress who had experienced so much change in her life.
Conclusion
The Elizabeth Taylor house at 700 Nimes Road tells the story of a woman who valued family, friendship, and comfort over flashy displays of wealth. She chose a home that reflected her true self rather than her public persona. The actress lived there for three decades, creating memories with her children, grandchildren, and friends. Today, the property stands as a reminder of one of Hollywood’s greatest stars and the life she built away from the cameras.