Unlike most celebrities, Elizabeth Taylor lived nearly her entire life as a famous person.
Following her turn in the equestrian epic "National Velvet," her teen years brought her first taste of stardom -- and her first studio contract.
Click through to see some of the earliest LIFE magazine photos of Taylor (and find a full gallery of the publication's coverage of Taylor here).
This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now. Have an account? Log in.1945: Taylor, age 13, poses with her own horse after shooting "National Velvet."
Peter Stackpole/Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images/LIFE.com
1945: Taylor, age 13, in her bedroom -- with pet chipmunk Nibbles.
Peter Stackpole/Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images/LIFE.com
1948: Taylor, age 16, works with her tutor on a movie set.
Mark Kauffman/Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images/LIFE.com
1949: Taylor, age 17, poses with photos of her then-beau, 1946 Heisman trophy winner Glenn Davis.
Mark Kauffman/Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images/LIFE.com
1950: Taylor, age 18, after graduating from Hollywood's University High School.
Peter Stackpole/Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images/LIFE.com
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