Christopher Wilding was born into a family the world already knew. His mother, Elizabeth Taylor, was one of Hollywood’s biggest stars. His father, Michael Wilding, was a British actor. As a child, Christopher saw photographers gather around his mother and strangers treat family moments as public events.
He did not choose the same kind of fame. Christopher built a career in photography and film work, mostly behind the camera. He also became a father of three sons and kept much of his private life away from the press. In recent years, he has shared memories of growing up with Taylor and spoken about the woman he knew at home. His story offers a look at both the pressures of a famous childhood and the life he made for himself.
Quick Bio
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | Christopher Edward Wilding |
| Date of birth | 27 February 1955 |
| Age | 71 years old (as of September 2026) |
| Parents | Elizabeth Taylor and Michael Wilding |
| Siblings | Michael Wilding Jr., Liza Todd and Maria Burton |
| Known for | Being Elizabeth Taylor’s son |
| Career | Photographer and retired film editor |
| Former wife | Aileen Getty |
| Wife | Margaret “Margie” Carlton |
| Children | Three sons: Caleb, Andrew and Lowell |
Who Is Christopher Wilding?
Christopher Edward Wilding was born on 27 February 1955. The date had special meaning in his family: it was also Elizabeth Taylor’s birthday. He was the second son of Taylor and Michael Wilding, who had welcomed Christopher’s older brother, Michael Wilding Jr., two years earlier.
His parents’ marriage ended while Christopher was still very young. Taylor later had a daughter, Liza Todd, with producer Mike Todd and adopted another daughter, Maria Burton. Christopher grew up among siblings, changing family circumstances and a level of public attention that few children experience.
The family photographs from those years often show smiling faces, smart clothes and famous settings. They capture real moments, but they cannot tell the whole story of growing up in the household. Taylor’s work took her around the world, and her relationships filled newspaper pages. Christopher had to make sense of those changes while other people watched and formed opinions about his family.
His name remains closely tied to his mother’s. Yet knowing who his parents were is only the beginning of understanding his life.
What Was His Childhood Like?
Elizabeth Taylor’s fame was part of Christopher’s everyday world. Photographers waited outside. Crowds noticed when she arrived. Even a visit to his school could become an event because the other children and adults recognised her.
Christopher has described himself as shy when he was young. The excitement that followed his mother could leave him feeling uncomfortable. At school, some pupils treated him with extra attention, while others made unkind comments about Taylor’s private life. Being her son meant hearing public gossip in places where he was simply trying to be a child.
He attended boarding schools in California, Britain, Hawaii and Germany. Moving between schools gave him experiences beyond Hollywood, but it did not remove his connection to it. His mother was too well known for that.
Richard Burton also became an important part of his early life. Burton and Taylor married twice, and Christopher spent many of his formative years with him as a stepfather. Their bond continued after Burton’s marriage to Taylor ended. When Christopher has spoken about him as an adult, he has remembered both their closeness and the harder times the family faced.
Through those changes, Taylor remained his mother. Christopher’s account of childhood includes the noise around her fame, but it also includes an enduring family bond.
Why Did Christopher Wilding Work Behind the Camera?
Both of Christopher’s parents were actors. He found a different place in the creative world, working as a photographer and in film editing and sound. His film credits include sound department work on the 1993 Western Tombstone.
Work behind the camera suited his temperament. Christopher has said he enjoyed being given a job and having the space to get on with it. Film editing calls for patience and careful attention to small details. It can be an important part of making a film without bringing the editor into public view.
That does not mean Christopher never appeared on screen. He and his older brother made brief appearances in The Taming of the Shrew. He also appeared as an extra when Taylor took a guest role in the television programme General Hospital. These were small parts of a working life centred mainly elsewhere.
His path shows how someone can grow up close to the film industry without wanting the life of a leading actor. Christopher worked with images and sound, but he did not seek the constant attention that had surrounded his mother since childhood.
He has since retired from film work. Looking back, his choice of career seems consistent with what he has said about himself: he liked creative work and valued the freedom to do it quietly.
Christopher Wilding’s Marriages and Children
Christopher married Aileen Getty in the 1980s. They had two sons, Caleb and Andrew, before their marriage ended. He later married Margaret Carlton, known as Margie, and they had a son, Lowell. Christopher is the father of three sons.
One difficult chapter in the wider family story came when Aileen was diagnosed with HIV. At the time, many people living with HIV faced fear, cruel judgement and a lack of support. Elizabeth Taylor became a prominent advocate for those affected by HIV and AIDS, and Christopher has recalled the support she gave Aileen.
As a father and husband, Christopher has generally kept everyday family matters private. Public reports give the broad outline of his marriages and children, but they do not provide a full account of life inside his home. There is no need to fill those gaps with guesses.
By the time he spoke about his retirement in 2024, he described enjoying a quieter life with Margie and his family. It was a life far removed from the crowds he remembered following Taylor when he was young.
His Relationship With Elizabeth Taylor and Life Today
Christopher’s memories of his mother hold more than one feeling. He has spoken about the strain that fame and family difficulties could bring. He has also described a close connection with Taylor that lasted throughout her life.
Their shared birthday became a tradition. Christopher said they celebrated it together every year until she died in 2011. Taylor enjoyed large parties, while he would have preferred less attention. After her death, the date reminded him of the time they had spent together.
In 2024, Christopher took part in the documentary Elizabeth Taylor: Rebel Superstar and spoke about his childhood in an interview. He reflected on Taylor as an actress, a mother and a campaigner for people affected by HIV and AIDS. His memories gave audiences a view of her that could not come from film roles or red-carpet photographs alone.
He spoke publicly again in 2025 after Taylor Swift released a song named after Elizabeth Taylor. Christopher welcomed the interest in his mother and drew attention to her strong character and charitable work.
These appearances have given people a chance to hear from him, but Christopher still leads a largely private life. He speaks about Taylor’s legacy when he chooses to, then steps back from the attention that has followed their family for so long.
Conclusion
Christopher Wilding grew up in the shadow of extraordinary fame, but his adult life took a quieter course. He worked in photography and film, raised three sons and built a family life away from constant public view.
His memories help show Elizabeth Taylor as a mother as well as a star. They also make something clear about Christopher himself: although fame shaped his childhood, it did not have to decide the life he chose.
Also read: Chance Combs: Her Family, Fashion Work and Acting Dreams
(FAQs)
Who are Christopher Wilding’s parents?
His parents are actress Elizabeth Taylor and British actor Michael Wilding.
When was Christopher Wilding born?
He was born on 27 February 1955. He shares his birthday with Elizabeth Taylor.
What work did Christopher Wilding do?
He worked as a photographer and in film editing and sound. His film credits include sound department work on Tombstone.
How many children does Christopher Wilding have?
He has three sons: Caleb, Andrew and Lowell.
Was Richard Burton Christopher Wilding’s father?
No. Michael Wilding was his father. Richard Burton was his stepfather during Burton’s marriages to Elizabeth Taylor and was an important figure in Christopher’s childhood.
Is Christopher Wilding still working in film?
Christopher had retired from film work by the time he discussed his life in a 2024 interview.
