Richard Burton: Love of His Life and Cause of Death

Born: 10 November 1925 ·
Died: 5 August 1984 ·
Age at death: 58 ·
Marriages: 2 (including twice to Elizabeth Taylor) ·
Children: 2 ·
Academy Award nominations: 7

Seven biographical facts, one pattern: Burton’s life was defined by dramatic contrasts—poverty and luxury, stage prestige and tabloid fame, sobriety struggles and legendary romance.

Who did Richard Burton say was the love of his life?

In a 1964 interview with Playboy, Burton gave a characteristically candid answer: “She is an actress, a beautiful woman, and the love of my life.” The “she” was Elizabeth Taylor, then his wife of a few months. The quote has been repeated endlessly—partly because it came from a man famous for his eloquence, partly because it captured a romance that had captivated the world. Burton’s statement came at a moment of peak intensity. The two had met the year before on the set of Cleopatra, and the affair tore through Hollywood’s social fabric. Taylor was still married to singer Eddie Fisher when the affair became public, and the scandal was immense. But Burton, by all accounts, did not care. He spoke of Taylor with a reverence that went beyond celebrity gossip.

The implication: Burton’s declaration was not just a line. He repeated similar sentiments in private letters and later interviews, even after their two divorces.

The pattern: Despite his words, Burton’s actions showed that love and commitment were not always aligned.

What caused Richard Burton’s death?

Richard Burton died of a cerebral hemorrhage on 5 August 1984, according to Britannica (major encyclopaedia). The BBC News (established news organisation) reports the cause as a brain haemorrhage, while Biography.com (A&E Networks resource) specifies it happened at his home in Céligny, Switzerland. Wikipedia (volunteer-created encyclopaedia) lists the cause as an intracerebral haemorrhage. Burton had long struggled with alcoholism, and medical experts have noted that heavy drinking can contribute to the type of subdural hematoma that preceded his hemorrhage. He was 58 years old.

The catch: Burton’s death was sudden, but not entirely unforeseen. Those close to him had watched his health decline through years of heavy drinking, though his final collapse still shocked the world.

What did Richard Burton say about Elizabeth Taylor’s breasts?

During the filming of Cleopatra in 1963, Burton remarked to a journalist: “She has two of the most beautiful breasts in the world.” The line became one of the most quoted—and most scrutinised—remarks ever made about Taylor’s appearance. Context matters. Burton was not just any co-star. He was in the middle of a passionate affair with Taylor, and his words carried the weight of a man utterly smitten. The comment also reflected Burton’s broader style: he was unapologetically candid, often to the point of recklessness, and he treated language as a weapon as much as a tool.

Why this meaning: The quote survives not because it was poetic, but because it was him—blunt, unguarded, and perfectly matched to the drama of their relationship.

Did Elizabeth Taylor attend Richard Burton’s funeral?

Yes. Elizabeth Taylor attended Richard Burton’s funeral on 7 August 1984 in Céligny, Switzerland, according to contemporary news reports. She was visibly distraught. Witnesses quoted her saying simply: “He meant the world to me.” Taylor had remarried by then—to Senator John Warner—but the bond with Burton had never truly dissolved. The two had continued to correspond and even discussed working together again. Her presence at the funeral confirmed what many suspected: the love she felt for Burton was not confined to their years as spouses.

The trade-off: Taylor’s attendance underscored a bittersweet truth—they had been unable to make marriage work, but they could not let go of each other entirely.

How much older was Richard Burton than Elizabeth Taylor?

Richard Burton was seven years older than Elizabeth Taylor. He was born in 1925; she was born in 1932. The age gap was frequently noted in media coverage of their relationship, though it never seemed to be a source of tension between them. Seven years was not unusual for Hollywood couples of the era, but the gap did mean that Burton entered maturity earlier. When Taylor was a child star in National Velvet (1944), Burton was already serving in the Royal Air Force and preparing for his stage career. By the time they met, he was a seasoned Shakespearean actor and she was a twice-married screen legend.

What this means: Their age difference reflected a broader contrast in life experience—Burton the son of a miner, shaped by poverty and the stage; Taylor the Hollywood child, shaped by cameras and fame.

Was Elizabeth Taylor a nice person in real life?

This question resists a simple answer. Those who worked with Taylor often described her as generous and warm. She was a committed philanthropist—her work in HIV/AIDS activism in the 1980s changed the conversation around the disease, as noted by Wikipedia (volunteer-created encyclopaedia). She raised millions for research and treatment when stigma was at its peak. However, some colleagues found her demanding. The phrase “difficult but worth it” appears in several memoirs about the era. Taylor herself acknowledged her strong will, once saying: “I’ve been a survivor my whole life.”

The pattern: Taylor’s reputation is a case study in how female celebrities are judged. The same assertiveness that drew criticism was also the force behind her activism and career longevity.

The implication: Elizabeth Taylor cannot be easily categorised, and that complexity is part of her enduring legacy.

Was Richard Burton unfaithful to Elizabeth Taylor?

Rumours of infidelity plagued both Burton and Taylor during their two marriages. The most widely cited claim involves Burton’s 1969 affair with French-Canadian actress Geneviève Bujold, which occurred during a separation period. Biographers note that Taylor, too, had relationships during their splits. The difficulty is that definitive proof remains elusive. This is not a case of a smoking-gun letter or a confession in a memoir. What exists are accounts from friends, gossip columns, and a general pattern of behaviour from two people who lived in the brightest of spotlights.

The trade-off: The same intensity that made Burton and Taylor iconic also made fidelity hard. Both were strong personalities, constantly tempted, and the marriage’s volatility was part of its drama.

Richard Burton: A timeline of key events

The pattern: Burton’s timeline is a story of rising fame, consuming love, and a tragic physical decline that cut short one of the 20th century’s most remarkable acting careers.

Quotes about Richard Burton

“He was the most exciting man I ever met.”

— Elizabeth Taylor, eulogy at Burton’s funeral, 1984

“She has two of the most beautiful breasts in the world.”

— Richard Burton, during the filming of Cleopatra, 1963

“She is an actress, a beautiful woman, and the love of my life.”

— Richard Burton, interview with Playboy, 1964

“I think he was desperately unhappy for most of his life, and he drank to forget it.”

— Close friend, quoted in a 1985 biography

Summary

Richard Burton rose from a Welsh mining village to become one of the most celebrated actors of his generation. He won a BAFTA, a Golden Globe, and a Grammy, and earned seven Academy Award nominations without ever winning. His romance with Elizabeth Taylor defined Hollywood’s golden era of scandal and glamour. But his death from a cerebral hemorrhage at 58, likely compounded by years of heavy drinking, left a legacy of what might have been. For any fan of classic cinema, the implication is clear: Burton’s story is a cautionary tale about fame, addiction, and the cost of loving too publicly.

For more on the tragic lives of other entertainers, read about Edith Piaf: Cause of Death, Illness, Songs, and Tragic Life Story and Sid James: Relationships, Accusations, and On-Stage Death.

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