Taylor’s attorney shares how the actress’ giving spirit lives on 15 years after her death
Credit: Courtesy of Barbara Berkowitz (2)
NEED TO KNOW
- Elizabeth Taylor was known for her big heart and sincere desire to help others
- Taylor’s attorney, Barbara Berkowitz, recalls the time she found out the star paid for her dog’s cancer treatment in full
- Berkowitz tells PEOPLE about the emotional moment and what it taught her about the star’s character
Elizabeth Taylor is remembered by those around her for her generous spirit.
PEOPLE recently caught up with the late star’s attorney, friend and co-trustee of her estate, Barbara Berkowitz. The attorney shared some of her favorite memories of Taylor, including a memento from the actress that she carries around every day.
For the first time ever, Berkowitz shares a note from Taylor that she keeps with her daily. Taylor sent her the note after generously taking care of the payment for Berkowitz’s beloved dog to be treated after being diagnosed with cancer.
“On a personal level, the woman was amazing. I would never go up there and complain to her about things going on in my life, but somehow she found out that my Golden Retriever had cancer,” Berkowitz recalls.
 Credit: Courtesy of Barbara Berkowitz |
 Credit: Courtesy of Barbara Berkowitz |
“I was going to spend whatever I needed to do to put him through cancer treatments. She hears that Chase has cancer, and before you know it, she has figured out how much his cancer treatments are going to cost. And a check arrives at my office, with a beautiful note that I still keep in my wallet, for $10,000 at the time in 2010,” she continues.
The heartfelt gesture left Berkowitz “sobbing” as she called Taylor to say thank you.
“I keep her note in my wallet. It says, ‘Darling Barbara, where would we be without our puppy dogs? Life would not be the same without them. I hope Chase has many more lovely years with you. I do so care for you, Barbara, and Chase is part of you. Love Elizabeth.’ I mean, can you imagine?” she says.
“I called her and I’m like, ‘How did you find out? I can’t believe you did this.’ And she says, ‘You know what? Your job is to make sure Chase is okay and comfortable. I can do this. I’m happy to help.’ And those were her actions. I mean, her words were beautiful, but that she would take this on. Nobody asked her,” she says. “She just inserted herself to be helpful. And she was right — this way I could focus on Chase.”
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Credit: Courtesy of Barbara Berkowitz
Berkowitz was genuinely touched, not only by this gesture, but by the many ways that Taylor supported her — as an attorney, a businesswoman, and a friend.
“So with Elizabeth, it was just amazing to just get advice from her and encouragement from her. It was really hard to be a female in the ‘80s and ‘90s in law, and she was just so supportive,” she says.
“I like to remember, ‘How lucky was I that I had Elizabeth Taylor as a mentor?’ Just being there for anybody, whether you want to call it mentorship or whatever, it’s really, really, really helpful,” she continues. “I want to encourage others to be a mentor and find a mentor, because you could have different mentors at different stages of your life. For me, she was the best.”
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