Hollywood royalty doesn't just disappear. Even when the lights go out for the last time, the aura remains. Elizabeth Taylor was, and honestly still is, the peak of that old-school studio system glamour. So, it makes total sense that her final resting place isn't some quiet, dusty corner of a forgotten cemetery. She’s at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale. But if you think you can just wander in with a map and a selfie stick and stand right over the grave of Elizabeth Taylor, you’re in for a bit of a reality check.
It's private. Like, seriously private.
The Great Mausoleum at Forest Lawn is basically the VIP lounge of the afterlife. We’re talking about a massive, fortress-like structure that houses some of the biggest names to ever grace the silver screen. Clark Gable is in there. Jean Harlow too. Even Michael Jackson, one of Taylor’s closest and most controversial friends, is interred within those same walls. But here’s the kicker: the public generally isn't allowed inside the Sanctuary of Heritage where Liz rests.
The Great Mausoleum: A Fortress of Stars
Forest Lawn isn't your average graveyard. It was designed by Hubert Eaton to be a "memory garden," getting rid of the gloomy, upright tombstones that usually define cemeteries. He wanted art. He wanted life. He wanted, well, a weirdly pristine park vibe. The Great Mausoleum is the crown jewel of this concept, modeled after the Campo Santo in Genoa, Italy.
When Elizabeth Taylor passed away in March 2011 at the age of 79, the world expected a spectacle. She lived a life of eight marriages, priceless diamonds, and constant paparazzi swarms. Instead, her family kept it relatively low-key. The funeral started late—exactly fifteen minutes late—because, as her representative famously noted, she even wanted to be late for her own funeral. That’s vintage Liz.
She’s tucked away behind a massive marble slab, watched over by a soaring, ten-foot-tall marble angel created by Italian sculptor Ermenegildo Luppi. It’s dramatic. It’s expensive. It’s exactly what you’d expect for the woman who played Cleopatra.
Why you can't just "visit"
Let’s be real for a second. If they let every fan inside to see the grave of Elizabeth Taylor, the place would be a circus. The Great Mausoleum is a working cemetery, not a museum. Families pay a premium for that privacy. If you aren't a family member or a "property owner" (yes, that’s the term they use for people who own a niche or crypt there), security will kindly, but very firmly, show you the exit.
I’ve heard stories of fans trying to sneak in by joining funeral processions or pretending they’re looking for a long-lost Great Aunt Edna. Don't do that. It’s disrespectful, and the security guards at Forest Lawn have seen every trick in the book. They have cameras everywhere.
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The Symbolism of the Great White Angel
The angel hovering over Taylor is one of the most photographed—from a distance—landmarks in the park, even if you can't touch it. It represents the "Sanctuary of Heritage." It’s interesting because Taylor converted to Judaism in 1959 before marrying Eddie Fisher. While Forest Lawn is technically non-denominational, it’s heavily influenced by Christian art. Taylor’s Jewish faith was something she took quite seriously, and she was buried in a traditional wooden casket, "glued together" so no metal was used, consistent with Jewish law.
Despite the Jewish burial traditions, she chose to be at Forest Lawn rather than a Jewish cemetery like Hillside Memorial Park (where Michael Landon or Leonard Nimoy are). Why? Probably history. Her parents, Francis and Sara Sothern Taylor, are buried at Forest Lawn too.
Comparing the Resting Places of the Great Icons
You look at where other legends ended up, and you see different philosophies of fame. Marilyn Monroe is at Westwood Village Memorial Park. It’s tiny. Tucked behind an office building. People literally leave lipstick marks on her crypt. It’s accessible and raw.
Then you have Taylor.
Her choice of Forest Lawn Glendale screams "Old Hollywood Establishment." It’s about being part of a legacy that includes Walt Disney and Jimmy Stewart. It’s refined. It’s gated. It suggests that even in death, there’s a barrier between the star and the public.
- Forest Lawn (Glendale): High security, massive scale, "Cathedral" vibes.
- Westwood Village: Low-key, intimate, very "LA" (hidden in plain sight).
- Hollywood Forever: Hip, tourist-friendly, outdoor movies on the lawn.
Taylor wouldn't have fit at Hollywood Forever. She was too regal for that. She needed the marble. She needed the hushed tones of the Great Mausoleum.
The Michael Jackson Connection
You can't talk about Taylor's final spot without mentioning MJ. They are remarkably close to each other in the Great Mausoleum. During the final decades of their lives, they were each other’s support systems against a world that they felt didn't understand the pressures of child stardom or global fame.
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When Jackson died in 2009, Taylor was devastated. There’s something poetic—sorta—about them ending up in the same "Fortress of Solitude." It’s like the ultimate gated community for two people who could never walk down a street without being mobbed.
What Fans Actually Do When They Visit
Since you can't get to the crypt itself, fans have developed their own rituals. They usually head to the "Court of Honor" or find a spot nearby where they can see the exterior of the Mausoleum. People leave flowers at the gates. Some just sit on the grass and look at the rolling hills of Glendale.
It’s actually quite peaceful. If you’re planning a trip to see the grave of Elizabeth Taylor, you have to adjust your expectations. You aren't going to see her name etched in stone unless you have a telephoto lens or a very lucky connection. You go for the atmosphere. You go to feel the weight of Hollywood history.
The Diamond-Studded Legacy
Elizabeth Taylor wasn't just an actress. She was a pioneer for HIV/AIDS activism when the rest of Hollywood was too scared to speak up. She raised hundreds of millions of dollars. She was a business mogul with her perfume line (White Diamonds is still a bestseller, which is wild if you think about it).
When you stand on the grounds of Forest Lawn, you aren't just thinking about a grave. You’re thinking about the "National Velvet" girl. You’re thinking about the woman who demanded—and got—$1 million for a single movie. You’re thinking about the violet eyes.
Is it worth the trip?
Honestly? Yes. Even if you can't get inside the Mausoleum, Forest Lawn Glendale is one of the most beautiful places in Southern California. The "Last Supper" stained glass window is incredible. The "Crucifixion" painting is massive and overwhelming. It’s a place that feels outside of time.
Just remember:
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- Dress appropriately. It’s a cemetery, not a park for frisbee.
- Keep the noise down. People are there to grieve.
- No photography inside the buildings. They will kick you out, and they aren't nice about it.
The Practical Side of Visiting Forest Lawn
If you're driving in, the address is 1712 S. Glendale Ave, Glendale, CA 91205. It’s huge. You will get lost. Stop at the information booth near the entrance and grab a map. They won't circle Elizabeth Taylor’s grave for you—it’s against their policy to point out celebrity graves—but they’ll give you a general layout of the sections.
Look for the "Great Mausoleum" on the map. It sits on a hill overlooking the park. It’s the building that looks like a cathedral. Park in the designated lots and walk the grounds.
Actionable Insights for Your Visit
If you really want to pay your respects to Elizabeth Taylor, don't just look for a grave. Do what she would have wanted.
- Visit the GLAAD or amfAR websites. Taylor's true monument isn't a marble angel; it's the work she did for the AIDS community. A small donation in her name is a much better tribute than a bunch of dying roses at a locked gate.
- Watch a classic. Before you go, re-watch Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? or Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Remind yourself why she earned that spot in the Great Mausoleum in the first place.
- Explore the Art. Forest Lawn has a museum on-site. Check out the rotating exhibits. It helps you understand the culture of the place where she chose to spend eternity.
- Respect the Privacy. If you see a family entering the Mausoleum, don't try to tail them through the door. It’s tacky. Just wait. The beauty of the place is in the quiet.
Elizabeth Taylor lived a life that was loud, colorful, and occasionally messy. Her final resting place is the exact opposite: silent, white, and perfectly ordered. It’s the final contrast in a life full of them.
Next Steps for the Hollywood Enthusiast
If you're doing a "Legend's Tour" of Los Angeles, your next logical stop after Forest Lawn Glendale is Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills (just a few miles away). That’s where you’ll find Carrie Fisher, Debbie Reynolds, and Bette Davis. Each cemetery has a completely different vibe, and seeing both gives you a real sense of how the "Greats" are remembered in this town. Just make sure your gas tank is full—Glendale traffic is no joke.