The late Elizabeth Taylor’s supermodel friend Kathy Ireland is dishing on a lesser known fact about the Hollywood icon.
Speaking with People ahead of what would have been Taylor’s 93rd birthday, 61-year-old Ireland said the memory she cherishes most is reading the bible with the actress.
She revealed to the outlet, ‘Many people don’t know something about Elizabeth — as she got older and I got to spend time with her, yes, we talked about jewelry, we talked about business. But we did Bible studies together.’
Ireland looked back fondly on the memory of praying with the Cat on a Hot Tin Roof sensation in the latter half of her life.
‘She loved that. And I loved it,’ she recalled. ‘It was such a gift. And those are some of my most favorite memories of Elizabeth.’
In a new series produced by Kim Kardashian, the multifaceted career of the superstar is told in Elizabeth Taylor: Rebel Superstar, a three-part documentary which airs on BBC2 from Friday
Taylor’s supermodel friend Kathy Ireland is dishing on a lesser known fact about the Hollywood icon; pictured February 7
Ahead of what would have been Taylor’s 93rd birthday, 61-year-old Ireland said the memory she cherishes most is reading the bible with the actress; pictured in 2008
Kathy is a devout Christian, and Taylor, raised a Christian Scientist, converted to Judaism before marrying her fourth husband, Eddie Fisher, in 1959.
‘We would go through the Old Testament, New Testament and bring them together, and it was really special,’ Ireland shared about her friend, who was more than 30 years her senior.
They struck up a close in the early 2000s, after meeting each other through a mutual friend group.
Ireland became invested in Elizabeth’s eponymous AIDS Foundation, and still supports the organization.
Last year, in honor of the actress’ 92nd birthday, she invited her social media fans to donate to the foundation.
Sharing a black and white glamour shot of the Cleopatra star, she wrote in a caption to her 204,000 Instagram followers: ‘Today is beloved Elizabeth’s #heavenly #birthday. Please, if possible, join the celebration and donate whatever possible to @elizabethtayloraidsfoundation which continues Elizabeth’s battle in the war on HIV/AIDs.’
Kathy’s bio on the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation website describes her bond with Elizabeth as ‘one of the most cherished experiences of her entire life.’
Kathy’s bio on the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation website describes her bond with Elizabeth as ‘one of the most cherished experiences of her entire life’
Taylor served as a mentor in Ireland’s life as she pivoted from model to CEO
Taylor (right) and her Giant costars Rock Hudson (center), James Dean (left) in 1956.
In another part of the first episode of the triple part series, the documentary remembers one of Elizabeth’s great loves , Mike Todd (pictured left) – her third husband
On the site, the businesswoman — who heads kathy ireland Worldwide — is quoted gushing about her dear comrade, ‘Like many people, our family supported HIV/AIDS fundraising, and Elizabeth revolutionized our worldview. She made suffering so personal, and she taught everyone new ways to express love.’
It was also mentioned that Taylor served as a mentor in Ireland’s life as she pivoted from model to entrepreneur.
‘Elizabeth’s mentorship helped Kathy make the transition from model and fledgling actress, to a leading CEO,’ the excerpt reads.
She explained to People in 2021, ‘I was seeking to get to know her and learn from her, like so many people, having read about her, and Elizabeth became family.
‘Personally, Elizabeth [loved] fearlessly. It [was] that combination of genius — true genius, just brilliant, I think many people are not aware of that — and her heart. Which was continually giving.’