Elizabeth Taylor and Kathy Ireland in 2008.Photo:Jesse Grant/Getty
Jesse Grant/Getty
Looking back on her long friendship withElizabeth Taylor,Kathy Irelandsays her most cherished memories of the late Hollywood icon are of the two studying the Bible together.“Many people don’t know something about Elizabeth,” Ireland, 61, told PEOPLE exclusively at the 32nd Annual Movieguide Awards on Feb. 7 in Hollywood. “As she got older and I got to spend time with her, yes, we talked about jewelry, we talked about business. But we did Bible studies together.”Ireland, a devout Christian, remembered getting the chance to pray with Taylor in her later years.“She loved that. And I loved it,” the former model and businesswoman said. “It was such a gift. And those are some of my most favorite memories of Elizabeth.”Kathy Ireland and Elizabeth Taylor in 2009.Rebecca Sapp/WireImageWhile Taylor was raised a Christian Scientist, she famously converted to Judaism beforemarrying fourth husband Eddie Fisherin 1959.“We would go through the Old Testament, New Testament and bring them together, and it was really special,” Ireland recalled.The two stars reportedly met through mutual friends and became close in the early 2000s. Ireland became involved with the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation, and has continued to promote its work since Taylor’s death in 2011. According to Ireland’sbioon the foundation’s website, Taylor’s “mentorship helped Kathy make the transition from model and fledgling actress, to a leading CEO.” Through a partnership with MainStreetChamber Holdings, Ireland’s brand includes Kathy Ireland Home, Kathy Ireland Furniture, Kathy Ireland Laundry and more.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Elizabeth Taylor and Kathy Ireland in 2009.Michael Kovac/FilmMagicIreland has often described Taylor as a mentor and like family. “The world saw the glamour and I got to experience the genuine person, the fierce spirit that fought for others that could not fight for themselves,” she said during a 2017 appearance onThe Doctors.In 2021, Ireland told PEOPLE that theCleopatrastar “forever changed my life.”“I was seeking to get to know her and learn from her, like so many people, having read about her, and Elizabeth became family,” she said. “Personally, Elizabeth loves fearlessly. It’s that combination of genius — true genius, just brilliant, I think many people are not aware of that — and her heart. Which was continually giving.”
Looking back on her long friendship withElizabeth Taylor,Kathy Irelandsays her most cherished memories of the late Hollywood icon are of the two studying the Bible together.
“Many people don’t know something about Elizabeth,” Ireland, 61, told PEOPLE exclusively at the 32nd Annual Movieguide Awards on Feb. 7 in Hollywood. “As she got older and I got to spend time with her, yes, we talked about jewelry, we talked about business. But we did Bible studies together.”
Ireland, a devout Christian, remembered getting the chance to pray with Taylor in her later years.
“She loved that. And I loved it,” the former model and businesswoman said. “It was such a gift. And those are some of my most favorite memories of Elizabeth.”
Kathy Ireland and Elizabeth Taylor in 2009.Rebecca Sapp/WireImage
Rebecca Sapp/WireImage
While Taylor was raised a Christian Scientist, she famously converted to Judaism beforemarrying fourth husband Eddie Fisherin 1959.
“We would go through the Old Testament, New Testament and bring them together, and it was really special,” Ireland recalled.
The two stars reportedly met through mutual friends and became close in the early 2000s. Ireland became involved with the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation, and has continued to promote its work since Taylor’s death in 2011. According to Ireland’sbioon the foundation’s website, Taylor’s “mentorship helped Kathy make the transition from model and fledgling actress, to a leading CEO.” Through a partnership with MainStreetChamber Holdings, Ireland’s brand includes Kathy Ireland Home, Kathy Ireland Furniture, Kathy Ireland Laundry and more.
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Elizabeth Taylor and Kathy Ireland in 2009.Michael Kovac/FilmMagic
Michael Kovac/FilmMagic
Ireland has often described Taylor as a mentor and like family. “The world saw the glamour and I got to experience the genuine person, the fierce spirit that fought for others that could not fight for themselves,” she said during a 2017 appearance onThe Doctors.
In 2021, Ireland told PEOPLE that theCleopatrastar “forever changed my life.”
“I was seeking to get to know her and learn from her, like so many people, having read about her, and Elizabeth became family,” she said. “Personally, Elizabeth loves fearlessly. It’s that combination of genius — true genius, just brilliant, I think many people are not aware of that — and her heart. Which was continually giving.”
source: people.com
