Kim Kardashian accused of making Elizabeth Taylor ‘turn in her grave’ over iconic jewelry outfit

Kim Kardashian has sparked a celebrity fashion debate after getting the opportunity to wear one of Elizabeth Taylor’s most treasured pieces of jewelry.

The 46-year-old recently visited Bulgari’s store in Rome, where she tried on the late Hollywood actress’s spectacular emerald and diamond necklace. The multimillion-dollar creation was gifted to Taylor by her former husband Richard Burton and remains one of the most recognisable pieces from her legendary jewelry collection.

The special fitting was arranged as a surprise, with Bulgari employees carefully retrieving the historic necklace from its archives. Such is its importance that one staff member wore white gloves while handling the precious accessory.

Kardashian shared photographs of the experience on Instagram, expressing her excitement about wearing something that once belonged to someone she had admired for years. However, the pictures quickly divided social media users.

Some critics weren't impressed by the reality star's latest fashion moment, with one commenting that Taylor would be turning in her grave. Others questioned whether Kardashian should have been allowed to wear such an important piece of Hollywood history.

The discussion also revived controversy surrounding her 2022 Met Gala appearance, when she wore Marilyn Monroe's famous crystal-covered dress. Kardashian previously denied allegations that the historic garment was damaged during the event.

Despite the criticism, plenty of fans defended her appearance, describing the jewelry as breathtaking and praising how beautifully it complemented her outfit.

Kim Kardashian's special connection to Elizabeth Taylor

Kardashian's interest in Taylor's jewelry isn’t anything new, as she has repeatedly spoken about her admiration for the actress and revealed that she had a personal connection to the necklace long before trying it on.

During her Bulgari visit, Kardashian explained that she had previously spoken to Taylor over the telephone about the piece and its history.

She also recalled visiting the actress's home shortly after her death in 2011, where she was given an opportunity to see her extraordinary jewelry collection, furniture and personal belongings before everything was cleared out.

Kardashian's admiration for Taylor also led to her becoming an executive producer on a three-part documentary about the Hollywood legend. She interviewed Taylor for Harper's Bazaar, making her the last person to conduct an interview with the actress before her passing.

Meanwhile, Kardashian has another ambition that remains firmly on her agenda: becoming a lawyer.

Speaking to People at the New York premiere of All's Fair season two, she revealed that she's still thinking about taking California's bar exam again but doesn't currently have enough time to dedicate herself to studying.

"I’m going to take my time and wait until the moment is right, when I have some free time to focus on it,” she said.

Kardashian completed her four-year Law Office Study Program in May 2025 after beginning her legal journey in 2019. She passed California's baby bar in 2021 on her fourth attempt but didn't pass the full bar exam following her July 2025 sitting.

Despite the disappointment, she hasn't given up on her ambitions and has previously suggested she could eventually leave her celebrity career behind to become a trial lawyer.