WHEN ELIZABETH TAYLOR SPOKE to PEOPLE last February about her divorce settlement with Larry Fortensky, she said it would allow him to be "very comfortable for the rest of his life." What she neglected to add, judging by papers filed by Fortensky in Los Angeles Superior Court last week, were the words "unless of course he wants to buy something."
It now seems that in the prenuptial agreement Fortensky, now 44, signed with Taylor, 64, in 1991, he waived all rights to financial support from the actress. Was he blinded by love? Or influenced by the fact that Taylor's then attorney, Neil Papiano, represented them both? Whatever, Fortensky now wants a new deal, claiming it is illegal in California to waive spousal support. Below, excerpts from documents he filed May 20:
ON LIFE WITH LIZ: "Elizabeth and I led an opulent lifestyle. We spent, approximately $1.7 million per year to run our home in Bel Air. Elizabeth and I traveled often and, as one might expect, we only traveled first-class, taking large suites in virtually every hotel that we stayed at."
ON WHY HE CLAIMS MONTHLY DRY CLEANING BILLS OF $850: "Our wardrobe was only the finest. The designer Valentino would send clothes to our home for Elizabeth and myself, together with an expert tailor to fit the garments. I also shopped at Versace and other fine stores. The suits that I own cost several thousand dollars each. The Valentino sweaters I own, many of which were handmade, also cost several thousand dollars each."
ON WHY HE QUIT HIS CONSTRUCTION JOB: "Elizabeth told me not to worry about earning money and that she would support me."
ON THE $5,000 A MONTH LIZ IS PAYING HIM: "Minuscule."
ON RETURNING TO HIS JOB: "That income would not come close to supporting me in the lifestyle I have enjoyed with Elizabeth."
ON THE SINGLE LIFE: "The home I am renting is a small home in an area I do not want to live in. I rented this home on short notice because Elizabeth asked me to move from our residence as quickly as I could. Elizabeth has completely changed the lifestyle I had grown accustomed to over the past seven years. I have been required to live in an environment in which Elizabeth would never reside."
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