In 1996, Elizabeth asked for a divorce. She said they were both unhappy and did not want their relationship to end bitterly. Larry returned to his simple life, now with over a million dollars. But in 1999, he had a serious accident that left him unable to work. Medical bills piled up, and poor real estate investments drained his savings.
Despite everything, Larry and Elizabeth stayed in touch, speaking several times a month. After hearing about his accident, Elizabeth wrote a letter expressing concern for his health and finances. She promised to send money monthly until she died or the funds ran out. Larry accepted her help reluctantly. Later, when Larry’s sister told Elizabeth he was close to losing his home, Elizabeth sent more money. Still, the house was eventually repossessed.
The Final Goodbye
Although their marriage ended, Elizabeth and Larry cared deeply for each other. Their last conversation happened the day before Elizabeth went to the hospital. Her voice was weak because of fluid in her lungs caused by heart disease. She reassured Larry that everything would be okay. Larry never spoke to her again. Elizabeth Taylor died on March 23, 2011, at age 79. Larry found out about her death days later while watching television. “I was so shocked. I was sure she would go home, and I would talk to her again,” he said.
Afterwards, Larry received papers from Elizabeth’s lawyers. In them was a final gift: a large sum of money left to him in her will. Most of her fortune went to her children, as expected. “I love her, and I always will. I know she loved me too,” Larry told The Daily Mail.
Larry Fortensky died in 2016 at age 64, closing the chapter on one of Hollywood’s most unlikely and heartfelt love stories.
