Richard Burton, Actor
(1925-1984)
Getting around
The 'Other' Richard Burton
The word 'extraordinary' applies to the life, work, will and grave of nineteenth-century explorer Richard Burton and his wife and literary executrix Isabel.
Richard Burton was born in Wales in 1925, lived most of his adult life in America, married (twice) British-born American actress Elizabeth Taylor, had other wives, and died in Switzerland in 1984. Taylor died in March 2011, aged 79.
At death, was Burton domiciled in Wales, America or Switzerland?
Burton himself wanted Swiss domicile for tax purposes. Her Majesty's tax inspector preferred Wales, the better to tax the actor's worldwide assets at 40%.
A few days after his death, Burton was buried in Geligny, near Geneva, Switzerland.
One UK national newspaper reported that Burton was buried in Wales. Some internet sites say that his ashes were shipped from Switzerland for interment in Wales . A British tax inspector was reportedly deeply influenced to conclude that the actor was domiciled in Wales by a photograph of a Welsh flag draped over Burton's coffin in Switzerland.
British tax authorities decided that he had not actually shed his domicile of birth, deemed him Welsh, and sent a hefty tax bill.
United in death?
After Burton's death, his ex-wife Elizabeth Taylor visited his relatives in Pontrhydyfen, and said that she would like to be buried next to him. This statement apparently fueled speculation, which began right after her death in March 2011, that she would be buried next to Burton in Wales. Wrong on several counts.
Burton's remains are in Switzerland, and Taylor was buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery, Los Angeles shortly - according to Jewish custom - after her death. She had seven husbands in her eight marriages and converted to Judaism shortly before marrying singer Eddie Fisher.
