The 42nd Academy Awards in 1970 was a night filled with glamor, but one star undoubtedly shone brighter than all the others.
At just 38, Elizabeth Taylor was at the height of her beauty, and her fabulous gown and the world-famous diamond sparkling around her neck made the night special.
However, behind the scenes, a heartbreaking loss threatened to overshadow proceedings…
Looking back at old Oscars ceremonies is like stepping into a time machine that whisks you away to an era filled with glamor and grace. Honestly, the stars of that time had more class in their little fingers than many of today’s so-called celebrities combined.
I can’t help but feel a wave of nostalgia wash over me. It’s bittersweet to gaze upon these iconic figures, so many of whom are no longer with us. To me, it serves as a stark reminder of how fleeting life truly is — a short, beautiful journey we should cherish every moment of.
An historic night
The 1970 Academy Awards was a memorable evening for many reasons, most notably its lack of an official host.
It also marked a groundbreaking moment in Oscars history, as it was the first ceremony broadcast via satellite to an international audience.
One of the night’s most iconic moments was Cary Grant receiving the Academy Honorary Award. The audience erupted into thunderous applause, a heartfelt tribute to his timeless appeal and remarkable legacy in film.
On the other hand, John Wayne’s acceptance speech for Best Actor for his role in True Grit also stole the emotional spotlight. The legendary American icon delivered a humble and gracious speech, showcasing his genuine appreciation for the honor.
Yet, the evening wasn’t without its controversies. Many still debate that the biggest robbery in Oscars history occurred when Dustin Hoffman was overlooked for his breathtaking performance in Midnight Cowboy. Many might argue that John Wayne received the statue for his long and loyal service to the film industry, and perhaps there’s some truth to that as well.
Sinatra saved Cary Grant
Looking back at the archives, it’s clear that Cary Grant played a starring role during the 1970 Oscars. As the legendary actor took the stage to accept the Academy Honorary Award, he naturally expected some applause — a simple courtesy.
When the audience gave him a standing ovation, he was on the verge of tears.
”When everyone stood up, I was all at sea. I thought for a moment I was seeing things. I was so taken aback that I don’t know how I delivered my acceptance speech,” he later recalled.
Grant was on the brink of breaking down, overcome by the emotion of the moment. But just then, he spotted Frank Sinatra in the crowd, his eyes twinkling with a mischievous spark, and that quick glance was all it took to steady him.
”It pulled me together,” Grant said.
Elizabeth Taylor’s entrance
But let’s be honest, the real star of the 1970 Oscars wasn’t Cary Grant, Dustin Hoffman, or even John Wayne. As remarkable as they were, it was a 38-year-old beauty who truly stole the spotlight, captivating everyone at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles, California.
When Elizabeth Taylor stepped onto the stage to present the award for Best Picture, her entrance was nothing short of mesmerizing.
Her kindness and generosity contrasted sharply with the cutthroat nature of Hollywood. “Liz Taylor, no one ever as beautiful,” people would say, and it was true.
There was a genuine aura about her that drew people in.
Dressed in a stunning gown that hugged her tiny waist and highlighted her natural beauty — sans the heavy tan that was popular at the time — she left everyone in awe at 42nd Academy Awards.
And with her world-famous 69-carat Cartier diamond sparkling around her neck, it was clear that Elizabeth was not just an actress; she was an icon.
The truth about her diamond
Looking closely at the photos of Taylor from that night, it’s hard not to be captivated by the magnificent jewel around her neck.
Yet, few may know the story behind this iconic piece of jewelry. The Taylor-Burton Diamond, which glittered so beautifully against her skin, wasn’t just a glamorous accessory — it was a symbol of love, determination, and a bit of Hollywood drama.
Just days before April 7, 1970, the date of that year’s Oscars, the press was buzzing with anticipation, speculating on what Elizabeth Taylor would wear to the glamorous event.
Rumors swirled that she planned to dazzle the audience with her million-dollar diamond, newly set in a stunning necklace. For the privilege of showcasing this gem, Taylor reportedly paid a $2,500 insurance premium to three Australian companies — equivalent to about $20,250 today.
This iconic piece, known as the Taylor–Burton Diamond, weighed in at a breathtaking 68 carats and was a gift from her husband, actor Richard Burton.
A raving maniac
The original rough diamond, discovered in 1966 at the Premier Mine in South Africa, weighed 241 carats. Burton acquired the diamond during a visit to London, though not without a fight. Initially, the jeweller manufacturer Cartier had won the diamond at auction for a record-breaking $1,050,000, leaving Burton as the underbidder.
Furious over his loss, Burton turned into a raving maniac.
”I was going to get that diamond if it cost me my life or 2 million dollars, whichever was greater,” he declared.
Elizabeth, however, remained calm.
”Elizabeth was as sweet as only she could be and protested that it didn’t matter, that she didn’t mind if she didn’t have it, that there was much more in life than baubles, that she would manage with what she had,” Burton later wrote in his diary.
The day after the auction, Burton spent hours at a payphone in his London hotel, working with his lawyers to secure the funds to buy the diamond from Cartier — no matter the cost.
Their determination paid off, and the following day, the diamond was officially theirs for $1.1 million.
”I wanted that diamond because it is incomparably lovely … and it should be on the loveliest woman in the world,” Burton later said, cementing this iconic gem’s place in Hollywood history.
Bob Hope joke about Elizabeth Taylor
Comedian Bob Hope led some of the humorous presentation of films and actors nominated for the 42nd Academy Awards, bringing his signature wit to the evening.
As he acknowledged the distinguished guests in attendance, he quipped about Taylor, saying, ”I know Miss Taylor is here. I saw a Brinks truck parked outside.”
Richard Burton couldn’t help but chuckle at the clever nod to his wife’s exquisite collection of jewels.
The truth about her dress
The moment Elizabeth Taylor stepped onto the red carpet at the 1970 Academy Awards, it was as if time stood still.
The first thing that captured attention was the stunning color of her dress: a mesmerizing cornflower blue that danced between violet and lilac hues with every shift in the light — and the hundreds of flashing cameras capturing her every move.
The dress wasn’t just a piece of fabric; it was a masterpiece designed by Edith Head, meant to accentuate every inch of Taylor’s radiance.
For starters, the color choice wasn’t a coincidence. Designed by the iconic Edith Head, the gown’s shade was carefully selected to match Taylor’s own mesmerizing eyes. Taylor herself collaborated with Head, seeking an updated version of the dress she wore in the 1951 film A Place in the Sun.
The gown was more than just a fashion statement; it was a work of art. The plunging neckline perfectly framed the Taylor-Burton diamond, allowing the necklace to shine while accentuating her newly slim figure.
“It is designed to show off Elizabeth’s new, thin figure. It’s a soft, floaty, romantic chiffon. Over it, she has a soft, stole-cape to the floor in chiffon with a hood,” Edith Head told AP.
It was a look that would become etched in Oscars history, forever tied to the elegance and allure of Elizabeth Taylor.
Took a 10 minute bath
On the day of the event, Taylor’s beauty routine was reportedly refreshingly simple.
The celebrated movie star didn’t follow an elaborate skincare regimen; instead, she used a basic drugstore moisturizer.
Although she enjoyed doing her own makeup, she worked with a professional makeup artist for important occasions like the Oscars. Taylor favored a sheer foundation and soft blush, often using cake eyeliner for her eyes. Interestingly, she never wore false lashes, as she was naturally blessed with a double set of lashes.
”Elizabeth took a 10 minute bath at the end of her makeup application, to help set her makeup and relax a bit before the event,” a rep for House of Taylor told AOL.
Cried backstage
The celebrated star, one of the last of classical Hollywood cinema, had an important role during the 1970 Oscars — she was there to present the coveted Best Picture award.
However, chaos reigned behind the scenes.
Moments before her appearance, Richard Burton had just suffered a heartbreaking defeat, losing the Best Actor award to John Wayne. This marked the sixth time Burton had been nominated without clinching the iconic golden statuette, and the news hit Taylor like a thunderclap.
Devastated, she broke down in tears backstage, with witnesses recounting how the makeup artist had to rush to refresh her look before she could take the stage.
When she finally stepped onto the stage, her composure was shaky. You could see it in her eyes. As she appeared, a hush fell over the audience; you could hear a pin drop.
Despite her professionalism, the heaviness of her husband’s loss was clear as she announced the winner for Best Picture.
The man she loved had faced yet another loss, and it weighed heavily on her heart.
After-party
In his diary, Burton captures the essence of that magical night:
“Wednesday 8th: We went to the party afterward and sat with George Cukor, the Pecks, and the Chandlers (owners of the LA Times), but we were surrounded by scores of photographers who, to my delight, paid little attention to anyone else, including the winners. Barbra Streisand, who fancies herself a big star, was completely eclipsed.”
A glance at the countless photographs of Taylor from that unforgettable night makes it abundantly clear — she was the undeniable center of attention.
At the after-party, the actress and her husband was surrounded by a constellation of celebrities. Flashbulbs lit up their table like fireworks.
It was as if the paparazzi were also spellbound, struggling to focus on their task as they recognized the sheer magnitude of the moment. No longer were they mere photographers capturing dreams for glossy magazines; they found themselves entranced by the vision before them.
Many would argue that the greatest star of the 20th century shone brightest on that unforgettable night. On her left ring finger glittered yet another extravagant gift from her husband — the stunning 33.19-carat Krupp diamond ring, capturing the essence of her iconic allure.
So how did this magical night end for Taylor and her entourage?
”We got out with a great difficulty because of the hordes of photographers, visiting Gig Young, who won best supporting actor, en route, who was stoned but sweet. Hawn won the supporting actress, also as predicted. We couldn’t find Duke Wayne so came home, [. . .] Later still came Wayne himself also very drunk but, in his foul-mouthed way very affable,” Burton wrote in his diary.
As the curtains fell on the 1970 Oscars, one thing was abundantly clear: Elizabeth Taylor was the undeniable star of the night. She encapsulated everything that was magical about Hollywood in the 1970s: beauty, talent, and an unyielding spirit that transcended the screen.
Reflecting on her charisma and humility, it feels entirely fitting to celebrate her in this way. She was not just a phenomenal actress but a remarkable human being who captured the hearts of many.
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My Best Friend Set Me Up at Work to Get Me Fired So She Could Take My Promotion
Kera and Sam were more than best friends; they were family. They built their careers together, side by side, until a promotion turned everything into a competition. When Kera is accused of theft, she thinks her life is over… until an unexpected secret is exposed. In the end, she learns that betrayal runs deep, but karma cuts deeper.
I always thought betrayal would come with warning signs, like whispers behind my back, a shift in tone, something to tip me off before the knife slid in.
But no.
An upset woman | Source: Midjourney
Instead, betrayal came with a smile. With a hug. With the promise of friendship.
My name is Kera. I’m twenty-eight years old, and everything I have now, I built from nothing.
I was left at an orphanage as a baby. There was no note, no explanation. Nothing. Just an abandoned girl who grew up bouncing between foster homes, learning that while people wanted to be nice, the only person she could truly rely on was herself.
A little girl playing with toys | Source: Midjourney
That was until Sam.
We met when we were eight, two kids with no families, clinging to each other like lifelines. We learned to cook together, sneaking into the orphanage kitchen at night to steal peanut butter or test recipes that we saw on TV.
We dreamed of becoming chefs, of running our own restaurant someday.
“One day, Kera,” Sam said. “One day, we’ll have big kitchens and lots of money! And we can buy all the food we want.”
“I know,” I said, smiling.
A smiling teenage girl | Source: Midjourney
It felt good to dream. It felt good to look forward to something. To see a future that was bigger than we ever thought we could have.
And we worked for it, too.
We got into culinary school on scholarships and hopes. And, surprisingly, we graduated at the top of our class. We thrived on creativity and passion. On the days we felt like giving up, we pushed through. We pushed each other, and if we fell, we fell together.
“I’ll always be here, Sammy,” I told her one day after we ended up in the ER.
A woman standing in an ER | Source: Midjourney
Sam had been too enthusiastic when chopping up herbs and had an incident with a knife.
“I know, K,” she said, smiling through her painkillers. “It’s together or nothing, right, sis?”
Eventually, we landed jobs at one of the best restaurants in the city. We didn’t know how Lady Luck kept shining on us, but we were grateful that she did.
Side by side, Sam and I climbed the ranks, proving ourselves in the brutal, high-pressure world of professional kitchens.
A woman working in a professional kitchen | Source: Midjourney
So when the head chef position opened up, we were both the top candidates.
That day, after the announcement, Sam pulled me aside.
“No matter what happens, let’s not let this ruin our friendship, okay?” she said, squeezing my hand.
I smiled.
A woman working in a professional kitchen | Source: Midjourney
“Of course,” I said. “Nothing changes. But I am starving. Let’s get some food on our break. A greasy cheeseburger from that place down the road sounds like it would hit the spot.”
She smiled back, but there was something… off. A little too much relief in her voice, like she already knew how this would play out.
“Sure,” she said. “Let’s meet there. I have something to do first. A pharmacy run, you know.”
The interior of a pharmacy | Source: Midjourney
I ignored the feeling. Sam was my best friend, after all.
But I shouldn’t have ignored any of my feelings. The first worrying sign was when Sam didn’t meet me for lunch during our break. She just didn’t show up.
That evening, after the dinner service, I was cleaning up my station when our boss, Chef Reynard, stormed into the kitchen. His face was like stone, his sharp blue eyes locking onto mine.
Food on a pass in a kitchen | Source: Midjourney
“I didn’t expect this from you, Kera!” he thundered. “I thought you were better…”
Silence fell. The entire staff froze, utensils clattering, conversations dying mid-sentence.
“Chef?” I swallowed hard.
He turned to the room.
“Everyone, to the break room. Now!”
An upset chef | Source: Midjourney
The weight of his words sank into my stomach like lead. Something was very, very wrong. What was Chef on about?
We filed in, confused, exchanging nervous glances. Chef Reynard stood at the front, arms crossed, his expression unreadable.
“This evening, during an inventory check, something was found,” he said. “Stolen black caviar. In Kera’s bag.”
I stopped breathing. I broke out into a sweat. I felt dizzy.
A woman’s bag | Source: Midjourney
My bag?
My stomach twisted into a hundred knots.
“That’s impossible!” I gasped.
Chef Reynard didn’t react.
“I announced earlier today that I’d be doing an inspection. Someone’s been stealing from my kitchen.”
His eyes were sharp, scanning the room.
A pantry | Source: Midjourney
“And tonight… I found this.”
He held up a small glass jar of caviar, the kind we only used for high-end VIP guests who ordered top-shelf alcohol like it was absolutely nothing.
I stared at Chef’s hand, looking at the glass jar like it was a snake, waiting to strike.
“I didn’t take that,” I said, my voice hoarse. “I swear on my life, Chef. I would never… I would never jeopardize my position here!”
“Then, Kera, how did it end up in your bag?” His voice was calm but firm.
A jar of caviar | Source: Midjourney
I opened my mouth, then shut it. I didn’t have an answer. I felt dizzy.
Sam sat beside me, her hands clasped in her lap. She wouldn’t meet my eyes. She didn’t offer an encouraging smile. Or a hand squeeze.
A sick feeling curdled in my gut.
Chef Reynard exhaled.
“Tell me why I shouldn’t fire you right now.”
An angry chef | Source: Midjourney
I froze.
“Come, Kera. Tell me.”
Tears burned behind my eyes.
I looked around the room, at my coworkers, at the people I had worked beside for years. Some of them looked skeptical. Some looked outright disappointed.
But Sam?
She just sat there. Silent.
A woman sitting | Source: Midjourney
That’s when I knew.
She knew about the inspection. She was the one who did it. Her eyebrows were furrowed like they always were when she was up to something.
Chef Reynard had been on the phone earlier that morning, talking about the missing inventory, saying that he planned to check bags after our shift. But I hadn’t thought anything of it. There was no reason for me to.
But Sam had overheard. When we were changing into our uniform in the locker room she smacked my arm to make me stop talking so that she could hear what Chef was saying.
A woman looking down | Source: Midjourney
But… Sam? Would she really do that to me? Or was my imagination just running wild because the thought of me losing my job was so… close?
I felt the knife twist before I even knew it was there.
I stood up, my throat closing.
“I…” I couldn’t even get the words out.
“I should go…”
An upset woman | Source: Midjourney
Chef Reynard didn’t say anything. He just looked at me for a moment, his eyes softening.
I wanted to cry. I wanted to curl into a ball and just cry for a few hours. My career, everything that I had worked so hard for, was over.
I turned toward the door, my heart shattering.
“Stop, Kera,” he said.
I turned back, blinking through tears.
A door in a restaurant kitchen | Source: Midjourney
Chef Reynard reached into his pocket and pulled out a small ultraviolet flashlight.
The room went still again.
“There’s a security measure in place,” he said, his voice even. “I have marked all the caviar jars with an invisible, transparent ink, one that leaves residue on anyone who touches it. This is the new batch, and no one has worked with these yet, so only the person who stole the jar would have the stuff on their hands.”
A ripple of murmurs swept through the staff.
A flashlight | Source: Midjourney
He held the jar under the light, and sure enough, a faint, glowing mark was smeared along the lid.
“We started doing this a few years ago when we had another case of sticky fingers. One of our waiters was walking away with our caviar and bottles of champagne, ready to sell on the internet.”
Then he turned the light to his hands. They were clean except for his fingers, where he had held the jar moments before.
His eyes met mine, and he almost smiled.
Bottles of champagne | Source: Midjourney
“Everyone, hands out. Now.”
One by one, we stretched our arms out as he held the light to them.
Nothing.
Nothing.
Nothing.
Dirty nails.
Nothing.
Then…
A faint glow appeared on someone’s fingertips.
Ink on a woman’s hand | Source: Midjourney
That’s when the entire world tilted.
Sam.
The soft blue stain lit up on her skin, it was unmistakable. A choked sound left my throat. My best friend, my sister, sat there, caught red-handed.
Chef Reynard stared at her in disbelief.
“I need you to explain yourself,” Chef said.
“I… Chef…” Sam tried to say, her face drained of color.
A shocked woman | Source: Midjourney
“I never thought someone would do this to their best friend,” he said quietly.
Then, his voice hardened and his face darkened, anger taking over.
“You set her up? You set Kera up? You were willing to destroy her career for a promotion?”
Her mouth opened, desperate.
“Maybe someone else touched it before me… and I touched something they touched.”
An angry chef | Source: Midjourney
Chef Reynard didn’t even blink.
“Just go, Sam.”
I watched her grasp for anything to save herself. But there was nothing.
She knew it.
I knew it.
She stood abruptly, her chair scraping against the tiles. Her eyes flicked to me, just for a second.
An upset woman | Source: Midjourney
And in that second, I saw something that made my blood boil.
Sam didn’t think she’d get caught.
She wasn’t sorry. She was angry.
She stormed out, and just like that, she was gone.
The room was silent.
I was still shaking. I felt betrayed and hurt, heartache worse than I’d ever felt before.
A shocked woman | Source: Midjourney
“Kera,” Chef Reynard said.
“I meant what I said,” he continued. “I don’t tolerate thieves in my kitchen. And I couldn’t believe that it was you. I just… couldn’t. Let’s go to my office.”
We went to his office. I followed him quietly, my hands still shaking.
“Kera,” he said, sitting down. “I didn’t want to believe it because I had just drawn up something for you. But I need you to know that I don’t tolerate people who betray their own.”
An office | Source: Midjourney
He placed a single piece of paper in front of me.
A contract.
“You worked your butt off for this place, my girl,” he said. “I’ve noticed it from the beginning. And you’ve earned your spot as head chef.”
I took a deep breath.
“I had nothing to do with Sam’s actions,” I said. “Absolutely nothing.”
A contract on an office desk | Source: Midjourney
He smiled and held a pen out for me.
And I signed my name.
After my shift, I stopped at a food truck on my way home, trying to wrap my mind around everything. How was I going to go to our apartment and face Sam?
I wanted to slap her for almost costing me my job, but I was also worried about what she was going to do next.
I had been saving over the years. Sam had not, wanting to spend everything on clothing and alcohol. I highly doubted she had any savings, or at least enough to get by until she got a new job.
People outside a food truck | Source: Midjourney
But I shouldn’t have worried.
When I walked into our apartment, Jenna, our roommate, was sitting on the couch playing video games. Sam was nowhere to be seen.
“She’s gone,” Jenna said, pausing the game.
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“She’s gone. She packed up, and some guy named Dylan came to help her take her things. She said to tell you that she wanted more for herself and that she needs to find her happiness out of your shadow.”
A woman playing video games | Source: Midjourney
What the actual heck?
“Thanks, Jenna,” I said, flopping down on the couch next to her.
“What happened? She got fired? She quit?”
“How about I tell you tomorrow?” I asked. “I just want to get into bed.”
I was devastated, but I had never felt the way I had before. There was so much anger and hurt. Pain that demanded to be felt.
If this is what Sam was truly capable of, then maybe I was better off without her.
An upset woman lying in her bed | Source: Midjourney
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