This was the beginning of a 10-year mission. After Williams examined Elizabeth, he pulled Dean to a corner of the room. The diagnosis was worrying. Mr. Martin, Miss Taylor’s condition is critical. We saved her from the overdose, but the real problem is something else. What do you mean? This woman has developed severe dependency, not just to drugs, but also to emotional numbing.
This can’t be solved with cold turkey. So, what should we do? Long-term rehabilitation. But Miss Taylor’s situation cannot become public. We need to handle this privately. How long? Years, Mr. Martin. This isn’t a matter of a few months. Dean Martin realized at that moment that his commitment to Elizabeth Taylor would be much more long-term. Dr.
Williams and Dean Martin developed a unique treatment plan for Elizabeth Taylor. This plan was a never-before-attempted approach in Hollywood history. The first phase of the plan was gradual detox. Since Elizabeth couldn’t quit drugs suddenly, controlled reduction would be done. The second phase was to identify Elizabeth’s emotional triggers.
What happened before each crisis? The third phase was teaching alternative coping mechanism. And the fourth phase, the most critical, permanently handling Elizabeth’s secret. Dr. Williams began medical STD treatment for Elizabeth. In the 1950s, these treatments were primitive, but possible. Dean handled the psychological support.
He called Elizabeth every day, spent time with her, gave her strength. The first month of treatment was a disaster. Elizabeth was experiencing withdrawal symptoms and having emotional breakdowns. On the night of April 7, Elizabeth called Dean crying and pleading, “Dean, I can’t do this anymore. Find me pills.
Otherwise, I’ll kill myself.” Dean went to Elizabeth’s house at midnight. He found her in the guest room in a hysterical state. “Elizabeth, listen to me. You’re a strong woman. This addiction won’t defeat you.” “No, you don’t understand. This isn’t just addiction. This [clears throat] is shame. This is guilt. This secret is killing me.
” Dean hugged Elizabeth and tried to calm her down. “Elizabeth, know this. I will never tell your secret to anyone. And you will overcome this situation.” “But, what if medical records leak? What if a doctor talks?” Elizabeth, Dean became serious. “Williams’ records are safe with me, and if necessary, I’ll take this secret to my grave.
” These words calmed Elizabeth somewhat, but Dean realized this recovery process would be much more challenging. Over the next 2 years, Elizabeth relapsed several times. Each time, Dean went and rescued her. In September 1959, he found Elizabeth unconscious in a hotel room. In March 1960, he discovered pill bottles in Elizabeth’s house.
Each time, Dean repeated the same ritual, calling Dr. Williams, stabilizing Elizabeth, hiding it from the public, but more importantly, Dean continued to give Elizabeth emotional support. After each crisis, he took her home, stayed with her, strengthened her. Dean’s wife, Jen, initially didn’t understand why her husband spent so much time with Elizabeth Taylor, but when Dean partially explained the situation to her, she was supportive.
“Jen, Elizabeth has a life-threatening problem. If I don’t help her, she could die.” “What kind of problem, Dean?” “I can’t tell you details because I promised her, but trust me, this is important.” Jen trusted Dean and supported Elizabeth’s recovery. In 1961, a crucial turning point came. Elizabeth Taylor’s husband, Mike Todd, died in an airplane crash.
This tragic event devastated Elizabeth, but also brought unexpected freedom. The STD secret was now only her secret. After Mike Todd’s death, Elizabeth called Dean and said, “Dean, now only I know the secret. This makes me feel less ashamed.” “Elizabeth, this is progress. You can start healing now.
” And indeed, Mike Todd’s death became a major breakthrough in Elizabeth’s recovery. But what Dean didn’t know was this, Elizabeth’s secret would evolve becoming even more complicated. In 1962, Elizabeth Taylor’s life gained a new complication, Richard Burton. And this relationship threatened Elizabeth’s recovery from the start. When Dean realized Elizabeth was in love with Richard Burton, he worried because when Elizabeth was under emotional stress, she tended to return to drugs.
And worse, Elizabeth was thinking of telling Richard her secret. Dean, I have to tell him. Elizabeth confessed to Dean one day. If I’m going to be serious with him, I need to be honest. Elizabeth, this is dangerous. Richard is an actor, but how do you know he’s trustworthy? Because I love him.
Love doesn’t always guarantee trust, Elizabeth. I’ve been protecting this secret for 4 years. Let’s not take risks now. Dean Martin managed to convince Elizabeth, but he realized the situation was becoming increasingly complex. After 5 years passed, Dean Martin realized what a heavy burden it was to protect Elizabeth Taylor’s secret.
It wasn’t just supporting Elizabeth. He was also in a state of constant alertness. He monitored every scandal, every tabloid story, every possibility of medical leaks. Dean had rented a private safe deposit box to keep Elizabeth’s medical records secure. He checked it every year, controlling whether there were other copies.
He was also in regular contact with Dr. Williams. The doctor had become emeritus, left his practice, but still protected Elizabeth’s secret. Dean’s own family began to be affected by this situation. Dean spent so much time with Elizabeth that his children began to get jealous. Dad, why do you always spend time with Aunt Elizabeth? Daughter Dina had asked.
Because she’s my very good friend and needs help. What kind of help? This is adult business, hun. I’ll tell you when you’re old enough to understand. In 1968, Elizabeth Taylor’s secret was about to be exposed. And this incident became the biggest test of Dean’s 10-year protection mission. A tabloid journalist had begun to suspect Elizabeth’s medical records from He was getting gossip from sources at the Beverly Hills Hotel.
The journalist’s name was Steve Morrison. And he had begun a very aggressive investigation. Morrison was interviewing former employees of the Beverly Hills Hotel, researching details of that night. When Dean learned of this investigation, he took immediate action. Dean Martin organized a sophisticated counter-operation to protect Elizabeth Taylor’s secret.
First, he spoke with the Beverly Hills Hotel’s current manager. He made a generous donation to them and had the records from 1958 permanently sealed. Second, he launched a misinformation campaign to sabotage Steve Morrison’s investigation. Dean’s own publicist gave Morrison false stories. Third, he transferred all of Dr. Williams’ files.
The records at the doctor’s old practice were destroyed. And most importantly, Dean informed Elizabeth of the situation. Elizabeth, a journalist is investigating your night in 1950 Elizabeth, you’re not escaping. I’m protecting you and I will be successful. Dean Martin was right. Steve Morrison’s investigation hit dead ends and the story was never published.
