Known to the tabloids as Liz Taylor, she became an actress as a child. She played in her first movie at the age of nine; her first important role was playing the lead in Clarence Brown's film National Velvet, in which a young girl, Velvet Brown, played by Taylor, trains a horse to win the Grand National. She was made a Dame of the British Empire on 12/31/1999. Taylor has devoted much time and energy to AIDS-related charities. She also has a range of fragrances to her name including White Diamonds.