Liz Sheds 7th Mate - Temporarily

Elizabeth Taylor says she and husband No. 7 Larry Fortensky “need our own space for a while” and are splitting up, four years after their lavish wedding at Michael Jackson’s ranch.

“We have agreed to a trial separation. We both hope this is only temporary,” Taylor said Thursday.

The 63-year-old violet-eyed actress told syndicated columnist Liz Smith: “I feel sad. I sincerely hope it will work out. … But Larry and I need to work on things.”

Fortensky, 43, was a twice-divorced construction worker when he met Taylor in 1988 at the Betty Ford Clinic, where they were being treated for substance abuse.

They were married Oct. 6, 1991, at Jackson’s Neverland Ranch in front of such guests as Nancy Reagan. The paparazzi hovered in helicopters.

Taylor, who won Oscars for “Butterfield 8” and “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf,” underwent a second hip replacement surgery two months ago and has been using a cane.

Taylor’s previous husbands were hotel heir Conrad “Nicky” Hilton, actor Michael Wilding, Broadway producer Mike Todd, singer Eddie Fisher, Richard Burton - whom she married twice - and Virginia Sen. John Warner.