elizabeth taylor's children

The Wildings, The Todds, & The Burtons: What Elizabeth Taylor's 4 Children & 10 Grandchildren Are Doing Now

elizabeth taylor's children

Elizabeth Taylor, one of Hollywood's most enduring and captivating icons, was known for her legendary film career, her seven marriages, and her passionate activism. Yet, beyond the dazzling spotlight and the historic diamond collection, her greatest and most enduring legacy is her family: four children, ten grandchildren, and over a dozen great-grandchildren. As of late 2025, the Wildings, the Todds, and the Burtons—the family branches that trace back to her unions with Michael Wilding, Mike Todd, and Richard Burton—are not only preserving her memory but actively extending her humanitarian work into the modern era.

Far from resting on their matriarch's fame, Elizabeth Taylor's children and grandchildren have forged their own paths in art, photography, and, most notably, philanthropy. Their collective mission is centered on The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation (ETAF), ensuring the star's lifelong commitment to fighting HIV/AIDS continues to be a powerful global force. This in-depth look explores the unique lives of her four children and highlights how the next generation is keeping the flame of her extraordinary life burning brightly today.

The Four Pillars: A Complete Biography of Elizabeth Taylor's Children

Elizabeth Taylor had four children from three of her marriages. She cherished her role as a mother, often calling her children her "best friends." They have largely maintained private lives, but each carries a piece of her dynamic legacy.

  • Michael Howard Wilding Jr.
    • Date of Birth: January 6, 1953
    • Father: Michael Wilding Sr. (Husband #2)
    • Career: Actor, Producer. Known for roles in films like The Vengeance of She (1968) and various television appearances.
    • Family: Married to Brooke Palance, daughter of actor Jack Palance. He is the father of two of Elizabeth Taylor's prominent grandchildren: Laela Wilding and Naomi deLuce Wilding.
  • Christopher Edward Wilding
    • Date of Birth: February 27, 1955
    • Father: Michael Wilding Sr. (Husband #2)
    • Career: Film Editor, Sound Editor, Photographer. He worked on films like Tombstone (1993) and The Dogs of War (1980).
    • Detail: He shares his birthday, February 27th, with his mother. He has been instrumental in preserving his mother's personal archives.
  • Elizabeth "Liza" Frances Todd
    • Date of Birth: August 6, 1957
    • Father: Mike Todd (Husband #3)
    • Career: Writer, Producer, Sculptor. She is the only child born from Taylor's marriage to the legendary film producer Mike Todd, who tragically died in a plane crash in 1958.
    • Detail: She is a talented sculptor and has maintained a notably private life in the countryside, focusing on her art and family.
  • Maria Burton McKeown
    • Date of Birth: August 1, 1961 (Adopted)
    • Parents: Adopted by Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton (Husband #5 and #6)
    • Career: Actress, Philanthropist. Maria was adopted from Germany when she was three years old.
    • Family: She has been married to Tom McKeown. Her son, Richard McKeown, is one of the younger grandchildren carrying on the family name.

Carrying the Torch: The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation (ETAF)

The most compelling and current story of Elizabeth Taylor's children and grandchildren is their unified commitment to her philanthropic vision. The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation (ETAF), which she founded in 1985, remains a central focus for the entire family. The children serve on the board, but it is the third generation—the grandchildren—who are truly injecting new life and energy into the organization in 2025.

This generational commitment ensures that the foundation remains relevant and impactful, especially in a world where the fight against HIV/AIDS is far from over. The family frequently attends high-profile events, such as The Elizabeth Taylor Ball to End AIDS, to raise funds and awareness.

The Grandchildren Leading the Charge: Quinn Tivey and Laela Wilding

Elizabeth Taylor had ten grandchildren, and several have taken on highly visible roles in her legacy. Two names stand out for their leadership in the ETAF: Quinn Tivey and Laela Wilding.

  • Quinn Tivey: The Co-Trustee and Artist
    Quinn Tivey, the son of Liza Todd, is arguably the most recognizable of Taylor’s grandchildren today. He serves as a Co-Trustee of The Elizabeth Taylor Trust and is an Officer for the ETAF. An artist by trade, Tivey uses his platform to share his grandmother's story and passion. In recent years, Tivey has been a constant public face for the foundation, speaking at events and collaborating with modern artists and brands to keep his grandmother's activism fresh and accessible to younger generations.
  • Laela Wilding: The Eldest Granddaughter
    Laela Wilding, the daughter of Michael Wilding Jr., is Elizabeth Taylor's eldest granddaughter. She is a wellness coach and has been a vocal participant in the ETAF's mission. In a February 2024 interview, Laela spoke movingly about her grandmother's heart and unwavering commitment to social justice, emphasizing that Taylor’s passion was the greatest inheritance of all. Her work focuses on the compassionate side of the legacy, reflecting Taylor's personal warmth and dedication.
  • Naomi deLuce Wilding: The Lookalike and Curator
    Another of Michael Wilding Jr.’s daughters, Naomi deLuce Wilding, is often noted for her striking resemblance to her famous grandmother. She is also a key figure in preserving the Elizabeth Taylor archives and is actively involved in the ETAF's ongoing work, curating exhibitions and public programs that celebrate Taylor's life and activism.

The Current Lives of Elizabeth Taylor's Children in 2025

While the grandchildren take on the public-facing roles of the foundation, the four children live lives that reflect their unique upbringings—a blend of Hollywood glamor, quiet artistry, and deep commitment to family values.

Christopher Wilding's Fresh Perspective: An excellent example of the family's current engagement is Christopher Wilding's participation in a September 2024 article where he shared intimate, "hidden" details about his mother's private life. This willingness to share personal memories, while maintaining a boundary, provides fresh, unique insight into the woman behind the legend, ensuring her memory is complex and human, not just cinematic. Wilding continues his work as a film editor and photographer, maintaining a low-key profile in the industry.

Michael Wilding Jr.'s Entertainment Roots: Michael Wilding Jr., who spent much of his childhood in Europe, continues to be connected to the entertainment world, carrying the acting lineage passed down from both his mother and his father, Michael Wilding Sr. He has embraced a quieter life, but his children, Laela and Naomi, keep the family name prominent in the public eye through their work with the ETAF.

Liza Todd's Artistic Sanctuary: Liza Todd, who was adopted by Richard Burton after her father's death, has successfully carved out a life away from the Hollywood frenzy. As a talented sculptor, she channels her creativity into her art, often reflecting the quiet strength she inherited from her mother. Her son, Quinn Tivey, is her most public connection to the Taylor legacy, allowing Liza to support the foundation's work while maintaining her privacy.

Maria Burton McKeown's Charitable Focus: Maria Burton McKeown, adopted by Taylor and Richard Burton, has also dedicated her life to charitable causes, frequently attending events that support the foundation. She and her son, Richard McKeown, represent the family's deep connection to the Burton legacy and the enduring importance of adoption in Elizabeth Taylor's life. Her work is a quiet, consistent act of service, mirroring her mother's later-life dedication to humanitarian causes.

The Enduring Elizabeth Taylor Legacy

The true measure of Elizabeth Taylor’s legacy is not just the diamonds, the films, or the husbands, but the enduring strength and unity of her family. Her four children—Michael Wilding Jr., Christopher Wilding, Liza Todd, and Maria Burton McKeown—have successfully navigated the challenges of a celebrity inheritance by prioritizing their mother's values: compassion, activism, and family. In 2025, through the dedicated work of her ten grandchildren, particularly Quinn Tivey and Laela Wilding, the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation continues to honor her memory, proving that her impact on the world is a timeless, living force.

elizabeth taylor's children
elizabeth taylor's children

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elizabeth taylor's children
elizabeth taylor's children

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