EntertainmentFeatureCelopatra
Was Hollywood Actress Elizabeth Taylor Born in Karachi?
On October 30, 1984, a surprising report emerged in Karachi that astonished the media and prominent personalities. It was claimed that the legendary Hollywood actress Elizabeth Taylor was born in Karachi. However, modern sources and historical research do not support this claim.
Karachi, Pakistan’s economic hub, has the distinction of being the birthplace of several prominent personalities who later made their mark across the world through their achievements. These include the founder of Pakistan, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, as well as notable figures from various walks of life. However, there is also an intriguing claim that legendary Hollywood actress Elizabeth Taylor was born in Karachi.
The 1984 claim
The claim first emerged on the evening of October 30, 1984, when Abdul Qadir, the then president of the Rotary Club of Karachi East, made the revelation during a conversation with US Consul General Larry Grammer. He claimed that Karachi was the birthplace of the celebrated Hollywood actress Elizabeth Taylor.
According to Abdul Qadir, the actress’s father, Mr Taylor, was serving as a lieutenant in the British Army and was stationed in Karachi at the time. He also said that the Rotary Club of Karachi East had invited Elizabeth Taylor to visit Karachi as a guest of the club.
The revelation reportedly came as a surprise to the American consul general, who asked Abdul Qadir whether he was joking. However, after hearing the details of the claim regarding the actress’s birth in Karachi, he appeared convinced.
The conversation attracted considerable attention, and the news was published in several leading newspapers the following day, creating pleasant surprise among the media and various prominent circles.
What the records say
However, nearly 42 years later, a review of the claim through modern information sources and historical records has presented a different picture. Senior Karachi-based journalist and renowned researcher Shah Waliullah Junaidi also disputes the claim that Karachi was Elizabeth Taylor’s birthplace.
