Elizabeth Taylor passed away on March 23, 2011 at the age of 79. There is no present day woman who was as famous for her jewels as Dame Taylor. The endlessly talked about Kim Kardashian $2 million diamond engagement ring is just a trinket compared to the baubles that graced Taylor's hand, wrist and neck. These jewels, some of them as famous as the lady herself, will be on display in New York, and will be auctioned off through Christie's, starting December 13th. The proceeds from the auction will probably be in excess of $30 million dollars and a sizable portion of the sale will be donated to the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation.
The jewels held a very special place in her heart as many were gifts from the great loves of her life: Richard Burton and Mike Todd. In her book "My Love Affair with Jewelry" (2002) she said:
"I never, never thought of my jewelry as trophiesI'm here to take care of them and to love them. When I die and they go off to auction I hope whoever buys them gives them a really good home."
