Elizabeth Hurley may be an English model and actress, but her name is known in every corner of the world. For many years, she dominated TV screens either as an actress or purely because of her high-profile relationships with high-profile men. Before digging into her previous relationships, let's have a look at who Elizabeth is and how she got to where she is today.
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Who is Elizabeth Jane Hurley?
Elizabeth Jane Hurley, an English model and actress, rose to fame in the 1990s, initially garnering attention as the girlfriend of Hugh Grant. Her entrance into the spotlight was marked by a notable appearance at the Los Angeles premiere of Grant's film, Four Weddings and a Funeral in 1994, where she donned a now-iconic Versace dress secured with gold safety pins—an event significantly boosted her public profile.
How it all started
Elizabeth Hurley was born on June 10, 1965, in Basingstoke, Hampshire, England, to Angela, a teacher, and Roy Hurley, a Major in the British Army. She grew up with two siblings: an older sister, Kate, and a younger brother, Michael James Hurley.
Hurley's acting career is perhaps best highlighted by her roles in theAustin Powers series, where she played Vanessa Kensington. However, her enduring legacy in the public eye has been her association with Estée Lauder. Starting at the age of 29, Hurley became a prominent model for the company, notably representing perfumes like Sensuous, Intuition, and Pleasures since 1995. This partnership not only solidified her status in the modeling world but also showcased her as a symbol of English elegance and charm.
Beyond acting and modeling, Hurley has ventured into fashion entrepreneurship, founding her own beachwear line, Elizabeth Hurley Beach, in 2005. The launch at Harrods underscored her transition from model and actress to businesswoman. Today, Elizabeth Hurley still juggles multiple projects—the most recent is an exotic thriller where she was directed by her son Damian.
Elizabeth Hurley has long been in the spotlight for her career, but her personal life has also piqued much interest, especially the men that she has dated.
Elizabeth Hurley and Hugh Grant
Elizabeth Hurley and Hugh Grant, once a headline-dominating couple, have managed to transition from partners to ‘best friends for life’ despite their high-profile breakup. Their relationship began in 1987 and became one of the most talked-about romances of the era.
Who is Hugh Grant?
Born on September 9, 1960, in London, England, Grant's career also skyrocketed after his performance in the 1994 hit comedy Four Weddings and a Funeral, for which he won a Golden Globe Award.
On the personal front, Hugh Grant's relationships and family life have been as captivating as his film roles. Known for his bachelor lifestyle, Grant has been involved in several high-profile relationships, including a 13-year relationship with actress Elizabeth Hurley.
Despite their split, Grant and Hurley have remained close friends.
What happened between Hugh Grant and Elizabeth Hurley?
The turning point came when Grant was arrested for lewd conduct with a prostitute in 1995, an incident that significantly tested their relationship. Grant's public apology at the time expressed deep regret for his actions, stating he had hurt and embarrassed those close to him.
In an interview on The Jess Cagle Interview, Grant reflected on his past behavior, candidly labeling himself an 'idiot' for the incident. He said:
I was just an idiot. I didn’t try to say, ‘I’ve got this psychological problem.’ I just said, ‘I did it'.
In the same interview, he highlighted the unique bond he shares with Hurley, likening their relationship to that of siblings, and attributing their lasting friendship to the shared struggles and bond formed during their early years together. He continued:
We’re like brother and sister.
I think it’s partly because we went from zero to somewhere together, and we went through terrible years at the beginning when neither of us had any work, living in a tiny flat.
It was quite bonding.
Her relationship with Hugh Grant captured media attention like no other couple, but then she was linked to another big star.
Rumours of relationship between her and Denis Leary
Rumour had it that Elizabeth Hurley and American actor and comedian Denis Leary had an intimate dinner in 2001. It was never confirmed by either party but years later Leary's wife, Ann, reignited the discussion about the nature of her husband's relationship with English model and actress Elizabeth Hurley through her novel, Out-Takes From A Marriage, in 2008.
The book introduces a character that bears a striking resemblance to Hurley, described as a glamorous actress known for her revealing attire and high-profile relationships, mirroring Hurley's public persona and past romantic connections with wealthy individuals.
Ann Leary denies the speculation
Ann Leary has maintained that any similarities between the character in her book and Hurley are coincidental, emphasising her use of celebrity life experiences in her writing without directly basing characters on real individuals. She said The Mail:
I can see how people would think I was talking about our dear friend Elizabeth. But in fact Susanna was a small character I created, who was not based on Elizabeth Hurley at all.
Despite this, elements of the novel, such as the actress' see-through party dress and a carb-free diet similar to one Hurley reportedly followed, have fueled speculation regarding the true inspiration behind the character of Susanna Mercer.
Elizabeth Hurley and Denis Leary are friends
And while the rumours of their relationship have remained just that, he does have a close relationship with Elizabeth Hurley. He is also the godfather to her son Damian and has previously spoken about their connection, highlighting their shared Irish heritage and their bond over music trivia during meetings in New York. Both Leary and Hurley remained silent on the renewed speculation following the novel's publication.
Meanwhile in the 2000s, Elizabeth found herself in a relationship with another Hollywood giant—Steve Bing.
Elizabeth Hurley and Steve Bing
Who is Steve Bing?
Steve Bing, the American producer and philanthropist, tragically passed away at the age of 55 in Santa Monica, Los Angeles. His death brought renewed focus to his complex personal life, especially his relationships with actress Elizabeth Hurley and their son Damian Hurley, as well as with his daughter Kira Kerkorian Bing, whom he shared with professional tennis player Lisa Bonder.
Bing's personal life was marked by relationships with high-profile figures such as Sharon Stone, Uma Thurman, and Naomi Campbell, as well as friendships with Warren Beatty, Bill Clinton, and Mick Jagger.
However, it was Bing's relationship with Elizabeth Hurley that garnered significant public attention, particularly concerning the paternity of their son, Damian.
Elizabeth Hurley, Steve Bing and the paternity test
Despite initially denying paternity and demanding a DNA test, Bing was later confirmed as Damian's father.
This dispute led to a very public and contentious exchange between Bing and Hurley. This period in their lives was marked by legal battles and public scrutiny, overshadowing the more private aspects of their relationship.
Despite all of this, Hurley, in a statement, expressed her commitment to Bing during their relationship, saying, 'I loved Stephen enormously during the 18 months we were together. Contrary to erroneous reports, we were still very much happy together when I discovered I was pregnant. I was completely loyal and faithful to Stephen throughout this time as, indeed, he assured me he was to me.'
Bing’s financial arrangements
Beyond the personal disputes, Bing's financial arrangements for his children became a matter of public interest. Despite Hurley's insistence that she was not seeking financial assistance from Bing, legal proceedings led to Bing setting aside £100,000 annually into a trust for Damian, which would accumulate until he turned 18. Hurley's stance on this issue was clear, as she stated, 'The money is not wanted or welcome. Damian and I are managing very well by ourselves.'
Further complicating Bing's legacy was the legal battle concerning his father, Dr. Peter Bing's, inheritance. Dr. Bing sought to exclude Damian and Kira from his inheritance on the grounds that they were not raised as part of Stephen Bing's family, a stance that was challenged and ultimately overruled in court. This family dispute highlighted the complexities of familial relationships and the legal interpretations of inheritance and beneficiary rights.
In 2019, a significant legal victory was achieved for Damian when a Los Angeles judge ruled that he was a rightful beneficiary of the family trust, countering Dr. Bing's attempts to exclude him and Kira based on their upbringing. This decision underscored the court's interpretation of the term 'grandchild' and set a precedent for how family trusts could be interpreted in relation to non-traditional family structures.
Steve Bing’s tragic death
Sadly, this complicated family situation came to a tragic end on June 22 in 2020 when Steve Bing jumped from the 27th floor of the Ten Thousand Santa Monica building in Century City, Los Angeles. His death at 55 years old was met with an outpouring of grief from a wide circle of friends and acquaintances.
Compounding Bing's personal turmoil was the tragic death of his girlfriend, Allexanne Mitchum, due to a drug overdose involving a Xanax pill laced with fentanyl. The loss reportedly deeply affected Bing, who was planning to have a family with Mitchum. Her death, which occurred just over a year before his own, is reported to have left Bing convinced that it was not an accident, further contributing to his despair.
Elizabeth Hurley’s son never had the chance to rekindle his relationship with his biological father, however he did have other father figures in his life - notably Arun Nayar, who he still calls dad.
Elizabeth Hurley’s one and only marriage
Elizabeth Hurley has certainly had her fair share of partners, however she has only tied the knot once.
Who is Arun Nayar?
Arun Nayar is an international businessman and entrepreneur. He was born in December 1964 in Leeds, to a German mother, Gunnar, and an Indian father, Vinod, who was then a university student. His family relocated to India during his childhood following his parent's separation. His mother founded a textiles firm in Mumbai.
Now Nayar is known for his business acumen, but also for his high-profile connections and relationships within celebrity social circles—notably his marriage to Elizabeth Hurley.
Their relationship
Introduced by London-based financier Alessandro Tome, the couple first appeared publicly in January 2003 at a Christian Dior fashion show in Paris. Following Nayar's divorce, they married in 2007 through two lavish ceremonies that spanned two continents—first, a civil marriage in a castle in England, and then a traditional Hindu ceremony in Jodhpur, India.
Their Hindu wedding in Rajasthan was a spectacle of traditional pageantry, featuring Nayar's arrival on horseback and a series of festivities at the majestic Mehrangarh Fort, overlooking Jodhpur's iconic blue-painted city. The celebrations, rich in Rajasthani culture and cuisine, were attended by 240 guests and reflected the couple's desire for an opulent celebration of their union.
The marriage however faced challenges, culminating in a publicised breakup in 2010 amid rumours of Hurley's affair with Australian cricketer Shane Warne. The couple's separation was eventually confirmed by Hurley via social media, stating that they had parted ways a few months prior to the announcement. She said:
Not a great day
For the record, my husband Arun and I separated a few months ago. Our close friends and family were aware of this.
Arun Nayar has close ties to Hurley and Damian
Despite their split, the two remain close friends and he still shares a close relationship with Damian.
The family's dynamic was highlighted in a recent social media post by Damian, where he affectionately referred to Elizabeth and Arun as 'mama and daddy' during a New Year's Eve party in 2024. Back in 2018, Hurley told You magazine:
Arun is Damian's daddy and a very good one too, they see each other a lot.
She continued:
My husband and I had the most amicable divorce in the world and my lawyer said it was the cheapest case she'd ever handled because neither of us wanted anything.
After her divorce with Arun, Elizabeth started seeing Australian cricketer Shane Warne and had a rollercoaster relationship with him for three years.
Elizabeth Hurley’s relationship with Shane Warne
Who is Shane Warne?
Shane Warne, born on September 13, 1969, in Ferntree Gully, Victoria, Australia, became an iconic figure in cricket history, not only for his remarkable skill as a leg-spinner but also for revitalizing the art of leg-spin bowling.
Off the field, Warne's personal life, including his relationships and love life, often made headlines. His marriage, which lasted for ten years, was fraught with publicized cheating scandals. Warne's engagement to Elizabeth Hurley, though it ended without marriage, was among the most talked-about aspects of his personal life.
Warne's sudden death at the age of 52 on March 4, 2022, in Ko Samui, Thailand, due to a suspected heart attack, brought an end to the life of one of cricket's most charismatic and talented figures. Found unresponsive in his villa, attempts to revive him were unsuccessful, marking a tragic close to the life of a sportsman who had a profound impact both on and off the cricket field.
What happened between Shane Warne and Elizabeth Hurley?
The couple began dating in 2010, shortly after Hurley's split from her then-husband, Arun Nayar.
Their relationship unfolded under the spotlight, with their engagement in 2011 marking a significant moment.
However, by 2013, the pair had ended their engagement, with Warne and Hurley citing no specific reason for their separation, suggesting that their breakup was amicable and that they had simply drifted apart. Warne spoke out about their split years later. He said that he would ‘always love Elizabeth’ but didn’t think they would ever get back together. He told Mirror:
I was more in love with Elizabeth than I'd realised I could be. I miss the love we had. My years with Elizabeth were the happiest of my life. When we were together we both had a great time. Unfortunately it didn't work out.
It wasn't something that she or I did wrong, it just fizzled out. We're still great friends, we still stay in touch, we're good for each other and our kids get along great.
When Warne passed away, both Elizabeth and her son Damian were hit hard by the news. Damian, who was close to Shane and saw him as a father figure, said:
I'm still trying to wrap my head around this… SW was a father figure to me for most of my formative years and was truly one the best men I've ever known. My heart is broken. Thinking of and sending love to all SW's family.
Who is Elizabeth Hurley with now?
In recent years, Elizabeth Hurley has been linked to many men - however they have never been more than just rumours.
In 2019, there was speculation that she was dating American actor and filmmaker Justin Theroux. However she did confess to US Weekly that they were not true. She said at the time.
They’re definitely not true. We did a job together, and he’s a very nice chap, but they’re definitely not true.
She has also been pictured with a few men the media have labelled as ‘mysterious’. However it’s been a while since she’s taken any of her relationships public.
This article has been written with the help of AI.
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Sources used:
Biography.com: Hugh Grant
The Hollywood Reporter: Behind Steve Bing’s Sudden, Tragic End
US Weekly: Elizabeth Hurley’s Dating History: Hugh Grant, Steve Bing and More
US Weekly: Elizabeth Hurley Shuts Down Justin Theroux Dating Rumors (Exclusive)
Los Angeles: He helped others, then he took his life. The last days of film producer Steve Bing
Metro: What happened between Liz Hurley and Steve Bing and how old is their son Damian?
