Larry Fortensky (January 17, 1952 – July 7, 2016)[1] was an American construction worker known for being the last husband of actress Elizabeth Taylor. They were married in 1991 at Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch and divorced five years later.
Larry Fortensky | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | January 17, 1952 Stockton, California, U.S. |
| Died | July 7, 2016 (aged 64) Fontana, California, U.S. |
| Occupation | Construction worker |
| Spouses | Priscilla Joan Torres
(m. 1972; div. 1974)Karin McNeal
(m. 1978; div. 1984) |
| Children | 1 |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Service |  United States Army |
Early life
editFortensky, the eldest of seven children, was raised in Stockton, California, and dropped out of Pacifica High School in nearby Garden Grove during 10th grade. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1972 and discharged three months later.
Fortensky married Priscilla Joan Torres in 1972. They had a daughter, Julie, and divorced in 1974.[2] He subsequently married Karin McNeal and they divorced in 1984.[2]
Meeting and marrying Elizabeth Taylor
editIn 1987, he was convicted for driving while intoxicated. Police found him in a San Clemente, California parking lot "very intoxicated" and in possession of marijuana.[2] Using Teamster medical insurance from his construction job, he checked himself into the Betty Ford Center in 1988, where he met Elizabeth Taylor. At the time he was living in a small house in Stanton.[3]
Taylor and Fortensky were married on October 6, 1991, at Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch. The wedding, which cost between $1.5 and $2 million, was attended by 160 guests and presided over by Marianne Williamson. It was a high-profile event with paparazzi helicopters buzzing overhead and a guest list that included Liza Minnelli, Eddie Murphy, and Nancy Reagan, as well as Franco Zeffirelli, Arsenio Hall, Pia Zadora, George Hamilton, Merv Griffin, Quincy Jones, and Macaulay Culkin.[4] Taylor's $25,000 dress was a gift from Valentino. She was escorted by Michael Jackson and her eldest son Michael Wilding Jr. Their toast was with mineral water. Fortensky's best man was Taylor's hairdresser José Eber. Fortensky's family arrived in their own cars rather than limousines.[5][6] The couple donated money to AIDS charities from selling wedding photos.[7]
In August 1996, Fortensky was arrested for drug use after police in Hemet, California, found him in an illegally parked luxury motor home with no license plates with a woman he identified as his live-in maid. Fortensky, whose black BMW was parked by the home's front door, refused to allow police to search the motor home, but he was arrested for being under the influence of drugs at the time.[8]
Fortensky was reported to have a prenuptial agreement in which he would receive $1 million (with no additional support) if the marriage lasted five years. The couple separated after five years in 1996, with Fortensky hiring New York divorce attorney Raoul Felder.[9][10] The couple was divorced on October 31, 1996.
Post-divorce
editFortensky fell down a flight of stairs at his home in San Juan Capistrano, California on January 28, 1999, and was hospitalized for two months during which he was in a coma for six weeks. He suffered short-term memory loss as a result of the fall. He was reported to have been drunk at the time, mourning the death of a prized pet.[11][12]
He bought a three-bedroom house in Temecula, California, in 2002 with money from the divorce settlement. In 2009, Taylor[13] reportedly gave him $50,000 to pay the $5,800 monthly mortgage payment and keep the house out of foreclosure.[13]
Fortensky's last phone call with Taylor was a day before she entered the hospital in February 2011.[14] She died in March 2011 and left Fortensky over $800,000 in her will.[15]
Death
editFortensky died from skin cancer surgery complications on July 7, 2016, after 65 days in a coma.[16]
References
edit- ^ Elizabeth Taylor Ex Larry Fortensky Dies—Sister Reveals Sad Final Days
- ^ a b c Rosen, Marjorie (1991-10-07). "Here Comes the Groom..." People. Retrieved 2011-03-25.
- ^ Schindehette, Susan (1989-03-13). "Still Reigning After All These Years - Recovery, Elizabeth Taylor". People. Retrieved 2011-04-03.
- ^ "Liz 'N' Larry Say 'I Do' Over Drone Of Choppers". Deseret News. 1991-10-07. Archived from the original on October 22, 2012. Retrieved 2011-04-03.
- ^ Park, Jeannie (1991-10-21). "He Does, She Does-They Do! - Celebrity Weddings, Elizabeth Taylor, Larry Fortensky". People. Retrieved 2011-04-03.
- ^ "In Pictures: The 20 Most Expensive Celebrity Weddings". Forbes. 2002-05-22. Retrieved 2011-04-03.
- ^ "The Worlds' Most Expensive Celebrity Weddings". Brideorama.com. 2010-09-06. Archived from the original on 2010-11-29. Retrieved 2011-04-03.
- ^ Kennedy, Helen. "Taylor's Larry is Hit with Drug Rap" Archived 2010-12-16 at the Wayback Machine, Daily News, August 23, 1996
- ^ Leerhsen, Charles (1996-03-04). "Life After Larry - Divorced, Coping and Overcoming Illness, Elizabeth Taylor". People. Retrieved 2011-04-02.
- ^ "In Pictures: Celebrity Divorces-Women Who Paid". Forbes. 2002-05-22. Retrieved 2011-04-02.
- ^ "Larry Fortensky Accident - Larry Fortensky Critically Injured in Fall". Los Angeles Times. 1999-01-29. Retrieved 2011-04-02.
- ^ Marcus Errico (March 29, 1999). "Liz Taylor Ex Released from Hospital". E! Online. Retrieved 2011-04-02.
- ^ a b "Elizabeth Taylor's eighth husband faces eviction". Yahoo! News. 2011-03-18. Archived from the original on 2011-03-21. Retrieved 2011-03-25.
- ^ Weber, Christopher. "Elizabeth Taylor remains hospitalized for heart failure" Archived 2011-02-17 at the Wayback Machine, Los Angeles Daily News, February 13, 2011
- ^ "Larry Fortensky Breaks Silence on Ex-Wife Elizabeth Taylor". ET Online. April 25, 2011. Retrieved November 28, 2020.
- ^ "Liz Taylor's Ex-Husband Larry Fortensky Dead at 64".