Known for her glamorous lifestyle and iconic roles, Elizabeth Taylor wasn't just a recipient of lavish presents – she loved bestowing them too. A new authorized biography, "Elizabeth Taylor: The Grit and Glamour of an Icon," sheds light on the star's generous nature, highlighting her unique approach to gift-giving, from surprising friends with exotic animals to showering loved ones with carefully chosen treasures.

Tim Mendelson, Taylor's long-time executive assistant and friend, shared anecdotes revealing the star's penchant for grand gestures. One memorable instance involved a wedding gift for Michael Jackson after Taylor's 1991 marriage to Larry Fortensky at Jackson's Neverland Ranch. The gift? An elephant named Gypsy. Mendelson recounted with amusement, "Sure, she got people cars, but she presented that elephant to Michael Jackson at Neverland Ranch as a surprise." In return, Taylor received a custom-made titanium elephant purse.

Taylor's generosity extended to her family as well. Mendelson revealed her tradition of gifting her sons and brother, all of whom shared her striking blue eyes, with the finest cashmere sweaters in a matching turquoise hue. "They must have had a whole shelf in their closet full of that color because of their eyes," Mendelson shared.

But it was jewelry that truly captivated Taylor. Mendelson described her childlike delight in admiring her collection, particularly pieces from "the two great loves of her life – Mike Todd and Richard Burton." Burton, whom Taylor married twice, was renowned for his extravagant jewelry gifts. "He’d give me ‘It’s Tuesday, I love you’ presents," Taylor wrote in her book, "My Love Affair with Jewelry." "‘It’s a beautiful day’ presents. ‘Let’s go for a walk. I want to buy you something’ presents."

Among Burton's most famous gifts was the 69-carat Burton-Taylor Diamond, which Taylor later auctioned to fund a hospital in Botswana. Her collection, considered one of the most significant private jewelry collections in America, eventually went to auction at Christie's.

However, Taylor's appreciation for jewelry wasn't limited to expensive pieces. Mendelson recalled gifting her a pair of affordable amethyst earrings for her 60th birthday, which she cherished. When Taylor received damehood in 2000, she gifted Mendelson a coveted "Black Watch," explaining that he and her hairdresser were her personal watchmen, just as the Black Watch guards the Queen of England.

Even on set, Taylor's love for gifts continued. Kyle MacLachlan, her co-star in "The Flintstones," revealed that Taylor reportedly required a daily gift, often jewelry, during filming. The film's producer, Bruce Cohen, shared anecdotes about fulfilling Taylor's requests, including decorating her trailer with lavender, her favorite color, and procuring a Cartier gift for the start of production, a tradition Taylor herself confirmed.

From grand gestures to thoughtful tokens, Elizabeth Taylor's gift-giving reflected her generous spirit and unique style, further cementing her status as a true Hollywood icon.