A former typist, Estelle Taylor married a banker at age 14 and, after leaving him, moved to New York to study dramatic acting. She also modeled for artists and appeared in the chorus of a couple of Broadway shows. In the early 1920s she came to Hollywood and was noted as one of the film colony's most beautiful women. In 1925 she married 1920s heavyweight champion boxer Jack Dempsey . On the night of December 4, 1944, she spent an evening of dinner and drinks with actress Lupe Velez and was the last person to see Lupe before she committed suicide . Taylor was founder and president of the California Pet Owners' Protective League and was widely known for her devotion to pets. In 1953 served on the Los Angeles City Animal Regulation Commission.

In her divorce proceedings from Jack Dempsey , she received a settlement of $40,000 in cash, their $150,000 home, including all paintings and furniture, along with three cars. Dempsey remarked, "I resented her more than I disliked her. In fact, I would have taken her back if she had snapped her fingers. But she was glad to be free and away from me".Following her divorce from Jack Dempsey , a fan approached her for her autograph. Holding the piece of paper, the actress saw Dempsey's name scrawled near the top of it. She signed the page: "This is the last time that son-of-a-bitch is on top of me. Estelle Taylor".Was a good friend of actress Lupe Velez .