> At a Glance
> – Elizabeth Taylor called her four children her “best friends” and proudest accomplishment
> – Michael, Christopher, Liza and Maria now lead philanthropy through the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation
> – Her grandchildren continue activist work, honoring her wish to “keep the family glue” intact
> – Why it matters: Shows how a Hollywood icon’s family transformed fame into lasting social impact
Despite Oscars, diamonds and headlines, Elizabeth Taylor insisted nothing topped motherhood. “They make me the proudest of anything I’ve ever done,” she said of Michael Wilding Jr., Christopher Wilding, Liza Todd and Maria McKeown.
The Four Kids, Then and Now
Taylor’s path to parenthood unfolded in the spotlight yet stayed rooted in fierce loyalty. Son Michael arrived in 1953 during her marriage to British actor Michael Wilding; brother Christopher followed in 1955. Daughter Liza was born in 1957 to Taylor and producer Mike Todd, who died in a plane crash months later. While filming with Richard Burton, Taylor adopted Maria in 1964, and Burton adopted Liza soon after.
- Michael Wilding Jr., 73, sculptor in Santa Fe, has three children active in the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation
- Christopher Wilding, 70, retired sound editor, lives in Calabasas with wife Margaret Carlton
- Liza Todd, 68, equine sculptor in upstate New York; sons Quinn and Rhys Tivey help run the foundation
- Maria McKeown, 64, keeps a low profile; daughter Eliza Carson serves as an ETAF ambassador
Passing the Torch
Thanksgiving tables were non-negotiable for Taylor. “She always had her family there for holidays,” longtime lawyer Barbara Berkowitz told News Of Los Angeles. “She was the glue.”
That glue now stretches across generations. Granddaughter Naomi Wilding recalls, “She felt responsible for raising the younger generations.” Grandson Quinn Tivey writes policy briefs and fights HIV stigma, noting, “I know Grandma would be proud.”
Key Takeaways
- Taylor’s greatest pride wasn’t film but her four children
- All offspring and many grandchildren advance her AIDS activism
- Family gatherings were sacred to the star, a tradition they maintain
- The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation remains the central legacy project
From red carpets to Capitol Hill, Taylor’s brood channels glamour into advocacy, proving her love “will live forever in our hearts,” as Michael Wilding Jr. promised.
