A construction worker and a well-known actress exchanged vows in a star-studded wedding that stunned the entertainment industry exactly thirty-four years ago. This iconic actress wed blue-collar worker Larry Fortensky at Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch on October 6, 1991. Her eighth and last marriage was this one. The tabloids were captivated by their improbable story, and even though the marriage failed, it ended with enduring love rather than controversy. Behind the walls of the clinic, sparks fly.
In 1988, their narrative started behind closed doors at the Betty Ford Clinic. At 56, the world-renowned figure was there for her second visit. The 36-year-old Larry had a rough past and was a sun-tanned construction worker. He had crashed a truck just before he entered the clinic and had been arrested multiple times for driving under the influence. His care was covered by his insurance. Later on, Elizabeth would refer to him as “Larry the Lion.” “I knew who she was, of course, but I can’t say that I ever watched her movies,” Larry stated in a 2011 interview with The Daily Mail.
Their relationship became closer as the weeks went by. Larry detested the clinic’s severe rehabilitation techniques and grew fiercely protective of Elizabeth. During their six weeks of enrollment, both experienced an unanticipated deepening of their emotional bond. In addition to acknowledging her beauty, Larry claimed he wasn’t “bad-looking.” The girl I met was the actual woman, free of all the movie star bullshit, he added. We became close quite soon. Elizabeth was captivated by a man who was unaffected by celebrity and was lured to his simplicity.
Larry was a Stanton, California, high school dropout who had been divorced twice. He was brought up in a working-class household and led such a typical life that he had never even taken an airplane flight.
A Limo in the Mud and a Secret Love
Even his sister, Donna, did not believe Larry when he claimed that their romance began after they left the facility. In any event, their relationship blossomed while Larry was still convalescing from his accident and without a vehicle. Because Larry’s house was so far away, Elizabeth would frequently send a limousine to pick him up, but the vehicle would often get stuck in the mud. Larry’s family was unaware that he was seeing a well-known actress during this covert connection. Donna recalled hearing Larry refer to someone as “honey.” Larry told her to keep her mouth shut when she inquired about if he was seeing the famous person.
Elizabeth invited Larry to stay at her house by Christmas 1988. “I went for a few days and never left,” Larry remarked. Her house was fully staffed, had a real Van Gogh picture on the wall, and was heavily guarded. Inside, Larry was welcomed into a another world.
Paparazzi, helicopters, and a parachute intruder
Their lavish Hollywood-style wedding happened exactly 34 years ago today. It was exactly what the people had anticipated from a world-renowned figure. At Neverland Ranch in the Santa Ynez Valley of California, almost 200 celebrities gathered beneath a white gazebo to witness their vows. Celebrity hairstylist Jose Eber was Larry’s best man, and Elizabeth’s longtime friend Carole Bayer Sager served as maid of honor.
Outside, despite the glitz, there was anarchy. Larry claimed that the paparazzi-filled helicopters buzzing overhead made it difficult for him to hear their vows. Security was occupied. Even after parachuting onto the premises, one photographer was apprehended before he could take any pictures. The reception inside was incredible. “Michael Jackson spent the night on the dance floor holding a small black kid,” Larry remembered. Larry was more skeptical, but Elizabeth, who loved Michael, never trusted the reports of child abuse.
Liza Minnelli, Eddie Murphy, Gregory Peck, Nancy Reagan, and many others were on the guest list, which read like a who’s who of Hollywood elite. Larry invited just his siblings, keeping things modest while Elizabeth surrounded herself with stars.
A Cheeky Bird, Snow Angels, and Secret Burgers
Larry talked about a number of his personal memories in an interview with The Daily Mail. One of my favorites was a picture of Elizabeth resting in the snow taken in Switzerland in 1992. He recalled her sudden desire to play outside. She immediately put on a coat, went outside into the cold, fell into the snow, and giggled while creating a snow angel. “My favorite photo is that one. He remarked, “I keep it by my bed.” Elizabeth had the innocence of a child. She never seemed ancient, despite the fact that she was twenty years my senior.
Along the Pacific Coast Highway, Larry and Elizabeth enjoyed riding a Harley. For their second Christmas together, she got him the bike. They stopped for burgers at biker bars, and Elizabeth wore a helmet to keep people from noticing. She liked it when people pretended they didn’t know her. She enjoyed beer and burgers. “She was as grounded as someone who had been a celebrity since childhood could be,” Larry remarked.
Alvin, Elizabeth’s beloved parrot, was trained to yell “Larry, Larry.” “That [expletive] bird sounded just like her,” said Larry, who was not amused. I would be sprinting around the house.
Larry never attempted to surpass Elizabeth in terms of presents. He once received a BMW from her on his birthday. For Christmas, he bought her a dog and gave her roses dipped in chocolate. “I got her a Shih-tzu named Sugar when we traveled to England for her birthday. Larry remarked, “She adored that dog.”
Larry maintained that he never intended to be a kept man, even if their life together seemed like a dream come true. He continued to work while being married to one of the biggest performers in the world. He got up early and left for work. Elizabeth never prepared breakfast, but she got up with him to eat. Elizabeth never prepared meals. “After I left, she would go back to bed,” Larry remarked. She did, however, see to his needs. His coworkers made fun of him for having a private chef make his lunch, which was delivered to his workplace. Larry and Elizabeth had supper together after work, and they watched movies together—though not any of hers.
Cracks in the Glamour
Their combined joy gradually waned. Larry left construction at Elizabeth’s persuasion and accompanied her on their trip, but he was disoriented without his job. Their intimacy waned as Elizabeth’s health deteriorated, and Larry left their shared bedroom. That was “the beginning of the end,” according to his sister Donna.
Larry also found it difficult to deal with the ongoing media attention. There were cameras everywhere we went. Elizabeth never knew when she was being photographed, so she would always apply lipstick. That was difficult for me, Larry said. “I didn’t find it appealing. I never got used to it, but Elizabeth did.
A Letter of Love and a Million Dollars
Elizabeth filed for divorce in 1996. She stated that neither of them wanted their relationship to end badly and that they were both unhappy. Now that he had more than a million dollars, Larry went back to living a modest life. However, he suffered a severe accident in 1999 that prevented him from working. His savings were depleted by bad real estate ventures and mounting medical expenses.
In spite of everything, Larry and Elizabeth continued to communicate, having many monthly conversations. Elizabeth expressed concern for his health and financial situation in a letter she wrote after learning of his accident. Until she passed away or the money ran out, she pledged to give money every month. Reluctantly, Larry agreed to her assistance. Elizabeth later donated extra money after learning from Larry’s sister that he was in danger of losing his house. Nevertheless, the house was eventually taken back.
In Larry’s family, money was a source of conflict. After arguing with his siblings about money, he cut off contact with his sister Linda for speaking to the National Enquirer. In addition, he cut off communication with Julie, his daughter, who had attempted to obtain money following his accident.
The Last Farewell
Despite the dissolution of their marriage, Elizabeth and Larry had a strong bond. The day before Elizabeth was admitted to the hospital, they had their final talk. She had heart disease-related fluid in her lungs, which made her voice weak. Larry was reassured by her that everything will work out. She never heard from Larry again. At the age of 79, Elizabeth Taylor passed away on March 23, 2011. Days later, Larry was watching TV when he learned of her passing. I was astonished. “I was certain she would return home, and I would speak with her once more,” he stated.
Later, Elizabeth’s attorneys sent paperwork to Larry. She gave him a sizable sum of money in her will as a parting gift. As may be predicted, her children inherited the majority of her wealth. “I shall always love her. Larry told The Daily Mail, “I know she loved me too.”
One of Hollywood’s most improbable and poignant love tales came to an end when Larry Fortensky passed away in 2016 at the age of 64.
