Elizabeth Taylor Aids Fund

Actress Elizabeth Taylor will set up her own fund to distribute her contributions to AIDS causes and will channel proceeds from the sale of her wedding photos to the new fund, according to an announcement Wednesday. But at the same time, she will continue to serve as founding national chairwoman of the country's most prominent AIDS charity.

Elizabeth Taylor, who is facing surgery soon for a benign brain tumor, celebrated her 65th birthday in her characteristic glamour at a black-tie gala in Hollywood Sunday night with a star-studded cast of well-wishers. The party, an AIDS benefit taped for later viewing on ABC, was marked by humor and appreciation for the actress' beauty, screen career and AIDS activism.

Elizabeth Taylor, who is facing surgery soon for a benign brain tumor, celebrated her 65th birthday in her characteristic glamour at a black-tie gala in Hollywood Sunday night with a star-studded cast of well-wishers. The party, an AIDS benefit taped for later viewing on ABC, was marked by humor and appreciation for the actress' beauty, screen career and AIDS activism.

Tobacco heiress Doris Duke has contributed $1 million to the Los Angeles-based Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation. Duke expressed appreciation for Taylor's efforts on behalf of research, patient care and public awareness to combat AIDS. "Our world is hurting because of AIDS," Duke said. "Some of the most creative minds and vital spirits any of us will ever know are now gone, and no compassionate person could remain indifferent to the human tragedy unfolding in the pediatric units of our hospitals."

Tobacco heiress Doris Duke has contributed $1 million to the Los Angeles-based Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation. Duke expressed appreciation for Taylor's efforts on behalf of research, patient care and public awareness to combat AIDS. "Our world is hurting because of AIDS," Duke said. "Some of the most creative minds and vital spirits any of us will ever know are now gone, and no compassionate person could remain indifferent to the human tragedy unfolding in the pediatric units of our hospitals."

"If I was just intelligent, I'd be OK. But I am fiercely intelligent, which most people find very threatening. Women in the movie business are never going to be wholly popular . . . but you have to figure out how to achieve your goals with dignity. If I were a petite, brunette, ethnic lawyer, then my behavior would be totally acceptable. But we Barbie dolls are not supposed to behave the way I do." That's what "Basic Instinct" actress Sharon Stone has to say in the new issue of Details.

"Like the rest of the world, I was deeply and profoundly saddened--(but) not shocked, because this is the kind of thing that, unfortunately, we in the world of AIDS have been expecting to happen." Elizabeth Taylor, undoubtedly the world's most prominent crusader against AIDS, was reacting to the news that Lakers' point guard Earvin (Magic) Johnson had contracted HIV, the virus that causes AIDS-.

Actress Elizabeth Taylor will set up her own fund to distribute her contributions to AIDS causes and will channel proceeds from the sale of her wedding photos to the new fund, according to an announcement Wednesday. But at the same time, she will continue to serve as founding national chairwoman of the country's most prominent AIDS charity.