When Hollywood Met Persia: Elizabeth Taylor’s Timeless Journey Through 1970s Iran

From Persepolis, her itinerary took her to Shiraz, the poetic heart of Iran. Known for its gardens, roses, and the tombs of famous poets like Hafez and Saadi, Shiraz was a stark contrast to the arid grandeur of Persepolis. Elizabeth Taylor visited the gardens and even recited a few translated lines of Persian poetry. Photographs from this leg of her trip show her in quiet contemplation by the tomb of Hafez—a symbol of how this Hollywood celebrity found sincere connection with Persian culture beyond the limelight.