The Tragic Life Of Conrad 'Nicky' Hilton Jr.: 5 Shocking Facts About Elizabeth Taylor's First Husband

Conrad Nicholson "Nicky" Hilton Jr. was born into one of the world's most powerful hotel dynasties, yet his life was a whirlwind of privilege, scandal, and tragedy that ended far too soon. For many, his name is merely a footnote in the legendary life of actress Elizabeth Taylor, but the hotel heir’s own story is a dramatic narrative of immense pressure, personal struggles, and a shocking, premature death.

As of this writing in December 2025, the story of Nicky Hilton continues to fascinate, revealing a dark side to the mid-century American elite. His tumultuous nine-month marriage to the 18-year-old Taylor, his significant role in the burgeoning Hilton empire, and the tragic cause of his demise paint a complex portrait of a man who could not outrun the demons of his own making.

Conrad 'Nicky' Hilton Jr. Biography and Profile

Conrad Nicholson "Nicky" Hilton Jr. was a prominent American socialite, businessman, and heir to the vast Hilton Hotels fortune. His life was characterized by high-profile relationships and a struggle with the expectations of his powerful family name.

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• Full Name: Conrad Nicholson Hilton Jr.
• Nickname: Nicky Hilton
• Born: July 6, 1926, in Dallas, Texas, U.S.
• Died: February 5, 1969 (Age 42), in Los Angeles, California, U.S.
• Cause of Death: Heart attack, reportedly related to alcoholism.
• Father: Conrad Nicholson Hilton Sr. (Founder of Hilton Hotels)
• Mother: Mary Adelaide Barron
• Siblings: William Barron Hilton (Barron Hilton), Eric Michael Hilton, Constance Francesca Gabor (half-sister from his father’s marriage to Zsa Zsa Gabor)
• Wives:
  • Elizabeth Taylor (m. 1950; div. 1951)
  • Patricia "Trish" McClintock (m. 1958; div. 1965)
• Children:
  • Conrad Nicholson Hilton (with Patricia McClintock)
  • Michael Otis Hilton (with Patricia McClintock)
• Occupation: Hotel Heir, Businessman, TWA Director, President of Hilton International (1964)

The Nine-Month Nightmare: Elizabeth Taylor's First Marriage

The marriage of 24-year-old Nicky Hilton to 18-year-old Elizabeth Taylor on May 6, 1950, was the social event of the year, a union of Hollywood royalty and American business aristocracy. The wedding was a lavish affair orchestrated by MGM, Taylor's studio, and held at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Beverly Hills.

The honeymoon, however, quickly turned into a disaster. The whirlwind romance, which lasted only 10 months, was marred by Nicky's escalating struggles with alcohol and gambling.

Taylor would later reveal that the marriage was abusive and miserable. She claimed that Hilton was often drunk, gambled heavily, and verbally and physically abused her during their trip to Europe. The immense pressure of being the heir to the Hilton fortune, combined with the intense public scrutiny of marrying one of the world's most beautiful and famous actresses, proved too much for the young man.

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The divorce was finalized in January 1951, just nine months after the wedding. Taylor cited "extreme cruelty" as the grounds for the separation, a decision that cemented Nicky Hilton's reputation as a troubled playboy in the public eye. The short, tumultuous marriage became a defining, and often sensationalized, chapter of his life.

Nicky Hilton's Real Role in the Hilton Empire

While often dismissed as merely a socialite, Conrad "Nicky" Hilton Jr. did hold significant executive positions within his father's burgeoning global enterprise. He was not just an idle heir; he was groomed for leadership, although his personal issues often overshadowed his professional life.

His most notable executive role came in 1964 when he was appointed the President of Hilton International. This was a crucial period for the company, as the international arm of the Hilton Hotels Corporation was being established as a separate entity to manage the rapidly expanding global portfolio of luxury properties. This position indicates that his father, Conrad Hilton Sr., entrusted him with a high degree of responsibility during a critical growth phase.

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In addition to his work with the hotel chain, Hilton Jr. also served as a director for Trans World Airlines (TWA). This role connected him to the broader world of international travel and commerce, which was intrinsically linked to the global expansion of the hotel industry in the post-war era. Despite these high-profile roles, his tenure was relatively short, and he eventually left the position when Hilton International was acquired by Transamerica Corporation in 1967.

Life After Taylor: Second Marriage and Family

After his highly publicized divorce from Elizabeth Taylor, Nicky Hilton sought a more private life. In 1958, he married oil heiress Patricia "Trish" McClintock. Their relationship, though less scrutinized by the press, was arguably the most significant of his adult life, providing him with a family.

With Patricia, he had two sons: Conrad Nicholson Hilton and Michael Otis Hilton. This second marriage lasted longer than his first, but it was not without its own challenges, ultimately ending in divorce in 1965. The existence of his children is a vital, yet often overlooked, part of his legacy, ensuring the continuation of his name within the extended Hilton family tree.

It is important to note that Nicky Hilton Jr. is the great-uncle of the famous socialite Paris Hilton and her siblings. The family's generational struggles with fame and substance abuse, which have been publicized through his great-nephew, Conrad Hilton III, tragically echo the issues that plagued Nicky's own life decades earlier.

The Tragic End: Addiction and Untimely Death

The final years of Conrad "Nicky" Hilton Jr.'s life were marked by a severe struggle with alcoholism and substance abuse, a battle he ultimately lost. The official cause of his death on February 5, 1969, was a sudden heart attack.

However, multiple historical accounts and biographical sources confirm that the heart attack was directly related to his long-term, debilitating alcoholism. He died in his sleep at his Los Angeles home at the age of 42.

His death came a decade before his father, Conrad Hilton Sr., passed away in 1979. Because Nicky died prematurely, he never inherited the bulk of his father's vast estate, which was primarily directed toward the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation. His tragic end solidified his image as the quintessential troubled heir—a man who had everything the world could offer but was ultimately unable to conquer his personal demons.

Nicky Hilton’s life serves as a cautionary tale about the perils of inherited wealth and fame. His story is a poignant reminder that immense privilege does not guarantee happiness, and that the pressures of a dynastic name can often lead to a destructive path. He is interred at Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, California.