Quote of the Day by Elizabeth Taylor: 'There's no deodorant like success...'—Inspiring quotes by the incredible actor
Elizabeth Taylor, a legendary Hollywood actress, famously stated, "There's no deodorant like success." This witty remark highlights how achievement can overshadow criticism and transform public perception. Taylor's own life, marked by both immense...

The statement is short, humorous, and surprisingly sharp. It suggests that success has the power to overshadow criticism, silence doubts, and transform public perception. Coming from a woman who lived much of her life under the spotlight, celebrated for her beauty, talent, and sometimes controversial personal life—the quote carries a layer of lived experience. Taylor understood how public opinion could shift dramatically when success enters the picture.
Quote of the Day Today March 10
The Quote of the Day by Elizabeth Taylor is:
"There's no deodorant like success."
Elizabeth Taylor: Early Life and Rise to Stardom
The Quote of the Day, “There’s no deodorant like success,” is attributed to Elizabeth Taylor, one of the most celebrated actresses in Hollywood history. Taylor was born February 27, 1932, in London, England, to American parents Sara (née Warmbrodt) Taylor and Francis Taylor. Her father worked as an art dealer, and the family lived in England until shortly before the outbreak of World War II, when they returned to the United States and settled in Los Angeles, as per information sourced from Britannica.
Taylor’s entry into the film industry happened at a very young age. Her mother had once been a stage actress, though she was initially hesitant about letting her daughter enter Hollywood. However, a connection through Taylor’s father eventually led to a screen test with Universal Pictures. In 1942, Taylor made her first film appearance in There’s One Born Every Minute. Though Universal soon dropped her contract, her fortunes quickly changed when MGM Studios signed her and cast her in Lassie Come Home (1943).
Her real breakthrough came with National Velvet (1944), where she played a determined young girl who rescues a horse and trains it to compete in a major race. The performance turned Taylor into a star almost overnight. As she grew older, she managed what many child actors struggle to achieve—a smooth transition into adult roles.
A Legendary Film Career and Hollywood Achievements
Taylor’s reputation as a serious dramatic actress grew even stronger in the late 1950s. She delivered powerful performances in film adaptations of Tennessee Williams’s plays, including Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958) opposite Paul Newman, and Suddenly, Last Summer (1959) with Montgomery Clift. These roles showcased her ability to portray emotionally intense characters, as per information sourced from Britannica.
Her talent was formally recognized when she won the Academy Award for Best Actress for Butterfield 8 (1960). Interestingly, Taylor herself later admitted that she disliked the film, yet the performance still earned her Hollywood’s highest honor.
Another pivotal moment in her career came during the filming of Cleopatra (1963), where she met British actor Richard Burton. Their romance became one of the most talked-about scandals of the era because both actors were married at the time. Their relationship attracted intense media attention and made headlines worldwide.
Despite the controversy, Taylor continued to deliver remarkable performances. She won her second Academy Award for portraying the volatile and emotionally complex Martha in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966). The role remains one of the most celebrated performances in film history.
Taylor and Burton later appeared together again in The Taming of the Shrew (1967) and several other films. Though their relationship was turbulent—the couple married twice and divorced twice—it became part of Hollywood legend.
Personal Life, Philanthropy, and Public Influence
Beyond her acting career, Elizabeth Taylor’s personal life was constantly under public scrutiny. Her eight marriages made headlines for decades and foreshadowed the tabloid culture that would dominate celebrity reporting later in the 20th century. Taylor herself once wrote in her memoir Elizabeth Takes Off (1988) that she was “ruled by her passions.”
Among her husbands were Conrad Hilton Jr., Michael Wilding, Mike Todd, Eddie Fisher, Richard Burton, John Warner, and Larry Fortensky. Her relationship with Burton, in particular, became one of the most famous romances in Hollywood history, as per information sourced from Britannica.
Despite the media attention surrounding her personal life, Taylor also devoted significant energy to philanthropy. She became a passionate advocate for people affected by AIDS during the 1980s, a time when the disease carried heavy stigma. In 1985, she helped establish the American Foundation for AIDS Research, partly motivated by the death of her friend and fellow actor Rock Hudson.
In 1991, she founded the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation, which provided direct services and support to those living with the disease. Her activism helped raise awareness and funds during a critical period in the global fight against AIDS.
Taylor also expanded her influence into business, launching successful perfume and jewelry lines, including her famous fragrance White Diamonds. Over the years she received numerous honors, including the American Film Institute Life Achievement Award (1993) and the French Legion of Honor (1987). In 2000, she was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE).
Elizabeth Taylor died on March 23, 2011, in Los Angeles, at the age of 79, leaving behind a legacy that blended cinematic brilliance, public fascination, and humanitarian work, as per information sourced from Britannica.
Quote of the Day Meaning
The meaning of the Quote of the Day—“There’s no deodorant like success”—is both humorous and insightful. Taylor’s remark suggests that success has the power to overshadow criticism, mistakes, or negative perceptions.
In many areas of life—whether politics, business, or entertainment—people often judge others based on outcomes. When someone succeeds, earlier doubts or controversies may suddenly seem less important. Success, in this sense, “covers up” flaws in the same way deodorant masks unpleasant odors.
The quote also reflects Taylor’s personal experience in Hollywood. Throughout her career she faced intense media scrutiny over her marriages, relationships, and lifestyle. Yet her talent and achievements repeatedly reaffirmed her status as one of the industry’s greatest stars. Success allowed her work to speak louder than gossip or criticism.
Ultimately, the line serves as a reminder that achievement can reshape reputation. While success does not erase the past, it often changes how people interpret it.
Other Iconic Quotes by Elizabeth Taylor
Beyond the Quote of the Day, Elizabeth Taylor shared several memorable lines that reveal her personality, wit, and resilience:
"It is strange that the years teach us patience; that the shorter our time, the greater our capacity for waiting."
"I'm a survivor - a living example of what people can go through and survive."
"Big girls need big diamonds."
"The problem with people who have no vices is that generally you can be pretty sure they're going to have some pretty annoying virtues."
"Success is a great deodorant.
"It's not the having, it's the getting."
"I think I'm finally growing up - and about time."
These quotes reveal a woman who was candid about life, fame, and human nature. Elizabeth Taylor was not only a celebrated actress but also a personality who embraced life’s complexities with honesty and humor.
As a Quote of the Day, her observation about success continues to resonate. It captures the way achievement influences public perception and reminds us that in a world often shaped by reputation, success can speak louder than almost anything else.
The Economic Times Business News App for the Latest News in Business, Sensex, Stock Market Updates & More.
The Economic Times News App for Quarterly Results, Latest News in ITR, Business, Share Market, Live Sensex News & More.