The
the
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis
Elizabeth Taylor
Princess Grace of Monaco
and Diana Princess of Wales
In an age in which anyone can be a celebrity for fifteen minutes
why have these four become legendary figures of
glamour and fascination because their lives mirror
our favorite fairy tales. Four great ladies
Four legends in love
When the tally is taken for Hollywood's Triple Crown it will certainly go to
Elizabeth Taylor for
most beautiful, most talented, most husbands
Well I have had everything. I've had
my share of joy
pain, luck
rough times
I've had a dose of it all. I've been back and forth like a yo-yo
Honeymoon number one with hotel heir Nikki Hilton in 1950
About a week. It was just wonderful
We had such a gay time. We love Europe. In 1952 British born Liz married British leading man
Michael Wilding
Five years later the honeymoon was over
In 1957 Elizabeth married the brilliant producer showman Michael Todd
In 58 a plane crash took Mike's life and ended their excellent marriage
Liz then married singer Eddie Fisher
won her first best actress Oscar for Butterfield 8
and prepared to star in Cleopatra
Her co-star Richard Burton became husband number five
Liz and Richard became the most popular couple on earth
In 1976 Elizabeth married Senator John Warner
She traveled the world as Washington's most dazzling representative until they
divorced in 1982
Her best marriage she said being with Mike Todd there was a joy
a vitality that was contagious. He said upon winning an Academy Award
I have the two best things Elizabeth and Oscar
His tragic death stunned 26 year old Elizabeth
She had skipped the trip because of illness
She said this was the greatest tragedy of her life
Well at the time it happened of course Mike's death
We'd only had 13 months together and I loved him with my life
and had a six month old baby
and I never thought I'd love again
But she would and what high drama it would be
In 1960 Liz received one million dollars to star in Cleopatra
a record fee for that time. Her marriage to Fisher was fading
Her health was failing and there were rumors of romance with Richard Burton
who would play Mark Antony opposite Elizabeth's Cleopatra
She became deathly ill from the Asian flu
A tracheotomy was performed to keep her alive. The real-life drama of Elizabeth
Taylor struggled to live
captured the world's attention. Her return to health found her public
admiring her courage as much as her
talent and beauty
She returned to Rome with Eddie Fisher to complete the filming of what had now
become
the forty million dollar epic Cleopatra
and the Richard Burton rumors turned to romance
Elizabeth Taylor
and Richard Burton, Cleopatra and Mark Antony
The press and paparazzi surrounded them
Elizabeth and Richard would marry in 1964
divorce in 74, remarry in 75 and divorce again
in 1976
When they starred in Private Lives together in 1983
reporters asked if they were still in love
Next question. We have great affection for each other and this by the way
is a conference about the play called Private Lives
it's not about our private lives. And how did Liz feel about working with
Richard again?
Well I think he's one of the finest actors
one of the finest. Sorry.
Of this century certainly that I've seen them not that old
and he's a joy to work with
After Richard's death in 1984, Elizabeth Taylor visited with his family in Wales
they were also her family. She had said twenty years before
Richard has given me a sense of reality I am now
above and beyond anything else, a woman
and that's infinitely more satisfying than being an actress
Richard Burton and Michael Todd, two wonderful partners
would she marry again? Knowing myself
I really am addicted
knowing myself I'm sure that one day, I don't know when
but before I die I'm sure I'll marry once more
As first lady of the United States Jacqueline Kennedy's dignity
intelligence and thoughtfulness translated into goodwill for America
throughout the world
One of the Kennedy's did not need an interpreter so I'd like to have my wife
take just a word there to you
Jacqueline was born to social position and nurtured on good taste
Jacqueline Bouvier was born to social position and nurtured on good taste
Her dashing father was a Wall Street stockbroker
Their family roots traced back to the Bouviers who came to America with Lafayette
to fight in the Revolutionary War
The roots of her husband-to-be John Fitzgerald Kennedy reached back to the
potato farmers of Ireland
but his parents climbed the ladder to success
and had great ambition for their children. Jack was not studious
at Harvard he focused on football, swimming
and pretty girls. In 1952
Jackie became the inquiring camera girl for the Washington Times Herald
and interviewed the young congressman Kennedy from Massachusetts
they soon began to see more of each other. For the soft-spoken Jackie Bouvier
it was an experience getting to know the Kennedys
an exuberant playful group but she quickly fit in
especially with Jack
they announced they would wed at her mother's Rhode Island estate
in September of 1953. John Fitzgerald Kennedy was 36
Jacqueline Bouvier 24. They were attended by 14 ushers
10 bridesmaids and 800 special guests
Jack's mother Rose remembered
Jackie must have got a little tired smiling and shaking hands
but I can think of a more appropriate introduction to her new life
in their first Washington home Jackie set up a sanctuary away from the pressures
of politics
baby Caroline and later John junior became
the most important part of her life
Caroline's birth in 1957 had been a special source of happiness for Jackie
her father had died that same year
although the demands of the White House were great as first lady
she never failed to find time for her family
I think doesn't matter what else you do
you don't do that part well you fail your husband and your children
that really is the role
which means the most to me though obviously I have a
deep sense of obligation for the others
but that's the one that comes first
she was an exquisite first lady who in every sense of the word gave the White
House a lift
she made 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue a center for the arts
Jackie would never match the Kennedy skills at football
but she did master the art of handing off a handbag
to an attending Marine
much has been written about other women in President Kennedy's life but in
public even in off-guard moments
the Kennedy seemed very much in love
home at Hyannis was private however a chance for John junior and Caroline to
know him as a father
Jackie wrote a poem about Jack shortly after their marriage
it read in part he would find love
he would never find peace for he must go seeking
the golden fleece all of the things he was going to be
all the things in the wind and the sea
we lost our president Jackie her husband
Caroline and John junior their father
the feeling of sorrow
was universal
I want to take this opportunity to express my appreciation
for the hundreds of thousands of messages nearly 800,000 in all
which my children and I have received over the past few weeks
the knowledge of the affection in which my husband was held by all of you
has sustained me and the warmth of these tributes is something I shall never forget
whenever I can bear to I read them
all his bright light grown from the world
all of you who have written to me know how much we all loved him
and that he returned that love in full measure
in 1968
Jacqueline Kennedy traveled to Greece to become Mrs. Aristotle Onassis
wife of one of the richest men on earth
many asked Jackie how could you
he was 68 and celebrated mostly for his wealth
the years have explained
it was just four months after the second assassination
the murder of her brother-in-law Robert Kennedy Bobby was her closest male
friend
advisor to Jackie and her children their confidant
she was desperate for safety for security
Onassis provided both
they were married on Ari's private island Scorpios in the Ionian Sea
it was October 20 1968
for seven years whenever they left their private world the press appeared
immediately anywhere and everywhere but Jackie kept the children private and
protected
after Ari's death in 1975 Jackie said
Aristotle Onassis rescued me at a moment when my life was engulfed with shadows
he meant a lot to me we lived through many beautiful experiences together
which cannot be forgotten
and for that I'm extremely grateful
1979 the opening of the John Fitzgerald Kennedy Library
is on me today and we can have faith in the future
the Kennedy children were reaching adulthood
welcome to the dedication of this library
John jr. read from a poem which he said captured
the spirit of his father born of the Sun
they traveled a short while towards the Sun
and left the vivid air signed with their honor
thank you
Caroline's wedding to Edwin Schlossberg in 1986 made the 60's seem like
ancient times as did John jr.'s appearance at the 1988 Democratic
Convention
over a quarter century ago
my father stood before you to accept the nomination
for the presidency of the United States in 1989 John Kennedy jr. became an
assistant district attorney in New York
Jackie's pride in her children had been earned
and the thousand days of Camelot would never be forgotten
award for the best performance by an actress
Grace Kelly for the country's best
the thrill of this moment keeps me from saying what I really feel
I can only say thank you with all my heart to
all who made this possible for me. Grace Kelly
the all-american movie star who became the Princess of Monaco
in 1966 she brought American Week to her new country
and made it a great success
Princess Grace devoted 25 years of her life to her marriage
her family and to Monaco which prospered both culturally and commercially during
her reign
Grace brought America along with her when she left Hollywood behind
but her best friends always wondered if she still missed the magic of the movies
of course I love working in films, I love acting
but I also love my present life now so it's
you know, one has to choose
at 10 in the morning on Monday September 13 1982
Princess Grace while driving down a mountain road in Monaco
missed the bend and plummeted 120 feet to her death
the world wept for the Oscar-winning actress and gracious princess
a citizen outside the chapel remarked Monaco was empty before she came
and now it's empty again
Grace Kelly described herself as a shy little girl
she was educated in a convent school her playwright uncle persuaded her to give
acting a try
while studying acting she became a successful model
and worked in TV commercials
she zoomed to success in Hollywood she could pick and choose from the best
scripts and co-stars her sudden announcement that she would give it all
up to marry Rignet took everyone
including the prince by surprise
Miss Kelly how do you feel on this occasion?
Needless to say I'm very very happy
Miss Kelly when is the wedding going to be?
We haven't planned the exact date as yet
You haven't made any plans yet?
It will be after Easter
Your Highness when you arrived aboard ship
this is the very thing that you denied
were you being cautious or didn't you know about it at the time?
I was very sincere I didn't know a thing about it
This is a surprise to you then?
Yes as much as it is to you I suppose
Miss Kelly
Is it a surprise to you Miss Kelly?
Yes
Miss Kelly are you going to live in Monaco?
Yes
They met as a publicity stunt at the Cannes Film Festival in the summer of 55
Grace later said she was taken by his direct simplicity
He said he couldn't get her off his mind
He didn't see her again till Christmas but within two days
the Prince of Monaco proposed and she said yes
They sailed off on a honeymoon on his private yacht
and Grace replaced the casinos as Monaco's premier attraction
She founded day nurseries for Monaco's working mothers
took charge of the local Red Cross
and founded a hugely successful international arts festival
In 1961 the Prince and Princess of Monaco visited with President and Mrs. Kennedy
Grace was the perfect princess
dignified, intelligent, beautiful and hard working on behalf of her subjects
It's been a great pleasure and honor to be here today
It's been thoroughly delightful in every way
Just as Jacqueline Kennedy was an enormous asset to JFK
Grace steadied her husband
His political reactions had been notoriously volatile
Grace became a trusted partner with whom Renier could discuss serious problems
and try out new ideas
She gave him invaluable support
She understood him
I think people don't know him too well because he's basically rather shy
But he has great wit and is very amusing when he's with friends and people he knows
He's a very good father, he's wonderful with the children
I think because he had a rather unhappy childhood himself
that he dedicates as much time as possible to his children
and really is a wonderful father and a very good husband
Their children said they were overly protected but they were deeply loved and well educated
I always speak in English to them and oddly enough they speak French to each other
I guess because they speak French with all of their school friends and their playmates
Carolyn goes to a convent nearby
and Albert has been studying at home until this year
Now he'll go to school in the fall
She devoted herself to Stephanie, Caroline, Albert and her husband
but she never completely forgot Grace Kelly
I've been very lucky in my life but I certainly wouldn't think
I don't wake up in the morning thinking I'm living a fairy tale
I have the job to get done and children to raise
and a lot of responsibilities and obligations that perhaps are more trying than a lot of people have
I think I was on my way to becoming a good actress
I felt as though I was just beginning to glimpse into what it was all about when I stopped
She was 52 years old when she died
She left us a life to be remembered and admired
Once upon a time in 1948 a Bonnie Prince was born in a land far across the sea
Bonnie Prince Charlie became the first heir to the British throne to attend a school rather than be educated within the palace
Charles learned to win and to lose against the same lads he would one day rule
He was chosen head boy of his dormitory
a reflection it was said of his ability to lead by the example of his own standards
The Prince learned to ride and to fall and to shake his fist in frustration without shame
He was a dashing courageous man of many talents, the most eligible bachelor in the entire kingdom
During all this time a young maiden named Diana had been the playmate of Charles's younger brothers
The Prince had hardly noticed her
But he took special notice as Diana blossomed into womanhood
It was a secret at first, she used her own carriage whenever they met
But soon the secret was out
The Prince arranged for Diana to meet his mother the great Queen Elizabeth
The Queen found Diana delightful and soon gave the Prince her blessing
By engagement day Diana had been spoon fed 500 years of British tradition
Learned to be a princess and truly felt the pressure
Yes it has, but I think anyone in the position we've been in would feel the pressure, everything
It's been worthwhile, but I hope I coped alright, still around anyway
July 29th 1981, Diana and her dad arrived for the wedding of the sanctuary
750 million people in 70 nations became British subjects for this one day
The great Queen Elizabeth with her husband Prince Philip, the Queen Mother
Prince Charles and his brother Prince Andrew
The 32 year old Charles would wed the 20 year old Diana and leave behind a string of broken hearts
Lady Diana's magnificent wedding train was 25 feet long, trimmed with sparkling lace
The veil hand embroidered with tiny mother of pearl sequins and pearls
Diana was the first English woman to marry an heir to the throne in 321 years
This former part time cook, nanny, governess and nursery school teacher
Was also the first Queen consort to ever have been gainfully employed
The ceremony would follow the new English form in which the bride does not promise to obey her husband
The Archbishop of Canterbury performed the service
I Charles Philip Arthur George take thee Diana France
To my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward
For better, for worse, for richer, for poorer
In sickness and in health, to love and to cherish
Till death do us part, according to God's holy law
And there to I give thee my trust
I Diana France
Take thee Charles Philip Arthur George
To my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward
For better, for worse, for richer, for poorer
In sickness and in health, to love and to cherish
Till death do us part
I pronounce that they be man and wife together in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, Amen
The Archbishop himself noted, here is the stuff of which fairy tales are made
The prince and princess on their wedding day
But fairy tales, he said, usually end at this point with the simple phrase, they lived happily ever after
The Archbishop proclaimed, the role of Charles and Diana in life and their responsibility is to create a more loving world
He prayed they would ever remain in perfect love and peace together
Charles said after the wedding, I found we were carried along on a wave of enormous friendliness and enthusiasm
It was remarkable
The honeymoon provided a necessary interlude before the strains of position and responsibility took hold
Oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah
Our Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales has given birth to a baby son
God save the Queen
Prince William was born in 1982
His thoroughly modern mother broke with generations of royal tradition by insisting that her baby be born in a hospital, not at home
She nicknamed William mini tornado
Prince Harry followed in 1984
At his christening, his proud father explained the history of the baby's gowns
Grandly was christened in this
And I was christened in this
Diana developed into a proud, confident princess
But in 1987, there was speculation that their marriage was in trouble
A gag on the movie set was strictly for fun
But the stern and sour looks displayed by Charles and Diana at public ceremonies fueled the rumours
And deeply concerned an adoring public
It would be a great shame if the future King and Queen of England were divorced
I personally would hate it, I think it would be tragic
Charlie, don't forget us, Charlie
Charles said, the moment people have put you up on a pedestal, along comes a separate brigade that like knocking you off
Whatever rift might have been, Charles and Diana rose above the rumours
But contrary to recent reports in some of our more sensational Sunday newspapers, I have not been drinking
And I am not, I can assure you, about to become an alcoholic
Diana's special magic was never more evident than the royal couple's memorable trip to Washington
Where she danced with three Hollywood princes
John Travolta, Clint Eastwood and Tom Selleck
Back in revolutionary times, British guns had failed to keep the colonies in check
But at this skirmish, Diana, with a little bit of help from Charles, recaptured the states without firing a shot
An invitation to meet the Prince and Princess of Wales was the hottest ticket in town
Including Sunday morning services at Washington National Cathedral, where before a packed house, Charles read an Old Testament lesson from Isaiah
Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped
The royal couple toured America's National Gallery of Art
They were there as patrons of a special exhibition of art treasures from Britain's aristocratic country homes
After the tour, at a rare press conference, Charles expressed his thanks for their reception in the U.S.
And while Lady Diana smiled demurely, Charles said, why yes
His wife had great fun dancing with all those American movie stars
It would be an idiot if she didn't enjoy dancing with John Travolta, wouldn't she?
We're both enormously touched by such a display of friendliness and such an amazingly warm welcome
Charles and Diana continue to make headlines simply by being themselves
To most of us, their lives will always seem to be part of a fairy tale
They are not like the rest of us. If they were, we'd probably ignore them
Charles says giving the children a secure family upbringing, that's what marriage is all about
More important, he adds, than just falling in love
As for Diana, successful wife and mother is reward enough for a woman who never expected more
Being a princess as well, that's the fairy tale bonus
Thank you for watching!