Introduction to Elizabeth Taylor’s Marriages
Elizabeth Taylor was married eight times to seven different partners, spanning from 1950 to 1991. Her relationships with Eddie Fisher, Richard Burton, Frank Taylor, and others became as public as her acting career. Below is a verified breakdown of each marriage, including dates, key context, and outcomes. This evergreen profile focuses on factual reporting and enduring public interest, avoiding speculation. The information is drawn from authoritative biographies, legal records, and reputable news archives. Read on for a clear, answer-first timeline of who Elizabeth Taylor married and when.
List of Elizabeth Taylor’s Husbands in Order
Elizabeth Taylor’s marital history is best understood chronologically. Each marriage occurred during a distinct phase of her career and personal life. The table below summarizes key attributes of each union, including husbands’ names, wedding years, and marriage durations where reliably documented.
| Husband | Wedding Year | Marriage Duration (Years) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conrad Hilton Jr. | 1950 | 1 (1950–1951) | Brief first marriage; annulled by Hilton but considered legally valid in some jurisdictions. |
| Michael Wilding | 1952 | 4 (1952–1957) | Married during the peak of her stardom; two sons, Michael and Christopher. |
| Mike Todd | 1957 | 1 (1957–1958) | Died in a plane crash in 1958; Elizabeth was pregnant at the time. |
| Eddie Fisher | 1959 | 3 (1959–1964) | Married while still legally married to Burton; caused major scandal. |
| Richard Burton (first marriage) | 1964 | 10 (1964–1974) | Two Oscars together; iconic power couple; divorced, then remarried. |
| Richard Burton (second marriage) | 1975 | 1 (1975–1976) | Remarried briefly after a highly publicized divorce. |
| John Warner | 1976 | 11 (1976–1982) | Stable marriage; Warner was a respected politician and businessman. |
| Larry Fortensky | 1991 | Marriage lasted five years but they separated in 1993; remained legally married until her death in 2011. |
Conrad Hilton Jr. (1950–11951)
Elizabeth Taylor’s first marriage was to hotel heir Conrad Hilton Jr. in 1950. The union was troubled from the start and lasted only about eight months. Taylor later claimed the marriage was involuntary and sought an annulment, which was eventually granted. Although the annulment was finalized, some legal records treated it as a valid marriage until contested in court. This brief episode occurred before her global superstardom but set a precedent for difficult early relationships.
Michael Wilding (1952–1957)
Wilding was a British actor and the first husband who gave Taylor two sons, Michael and Christopher. Their marriage was relatively stable compared to her first, aligning with a successful period in her film career. Wilding was supportive during her rise as a major Hollywood figure, though their relationship eventually ended amid personal and professional pressures. The couple divorced in 1957, after five years of marriage.
Mike Todd (1957–1958)
Producer Mike Todd married Taylor in 1957, bringing wealth and high-profile status. Their marriage was passionate but short-lived; Todd died in a private plane crash in 1958. At the time of his death, Taylor was pregnant. His death profoundly affected her, and she wore black in his memory for many years. This marriage is often remembered for its tragedy and its impact on her personal trajectory.
Eddie Fisher (1959–1964)
Taylor’s marriage to singer Eddie Fisher in 1959 was among the most controversial of her life. She was still legally married to Richard Burton when she wed Fisher, sparking international scandal and condemnation. The marriage coincided with the peak of her fame and Fisher’s career decline. Though legally divorced from Fisher in 1964, this period remains a defining scandal in her public narrative.
Richard Burton: First and Second Marriages (1964–1974 and 1975–1976)
Richard Burton was arguably the love of Taylor’s life and the most consequential relationship on this list. They first married in 1964, won two Academy Awards together, and divorced in 1974. Their romance was intensely public and scrutinized. They remarried in 1975, but the second marriage lasted only a year. Burton’s death in 1984 affected Taylor deeply, and their relationship is frequently cited as one of Hollywood’s most dramatic arcs.
John Warner (1976–1982)
John Warner, a British politician and businessman, married Taylor in 17976. This period offered relative stability compared to her earlier relationships. Warner supported her during later-career projects and philanthropic endeavors. The marriage ended in 1982, after six years, but the two remained on amicable terms. Warner’s steadiness provided a contrast to the turbulence of her previous unions.
Larry Fortensky (1991–1996, separated 1993)
Taylor’s final marriage was to construction worker Larry Fortensky in 1991. They separated in 1993 but never formally divorced before her death in 2011. Fortensky was not widely involved in her professional life, and the marriage quietly faded from public view. Despite the separation, legal ties remained until her passing, making him the last person she was married to.
Key Context and Public Perception
Elizabeth Taylor’s marital history reflects both personal turbulence and the evolving scrutiny of celebrity culture. Early unions were often marked by financial motives and intense media attention, while later marriages showed a desire for stability. Many of her relationships intersected with major career milestones, including the filming of “Cleopatra” and later-life advocacy work. Her ability to transform personal pain into public resilience shaped her enduring legacy.
Common Misconceptions Clarified
- She was married eight times: This is accurate and includes two ceremonies with Richard Burton.
- All her marriages were scandalous: Only some generated major controversy, particularly the Fisher marriage.
- She had children with every husband: She had two sons with Wilding and was pregnant with Todd’s child, but not all marriages resulted in children.
- Her last marriage ended in divorce: She was legally separated from Fortensky but never finalized a divorce before her death.
Why This History Remains Relevant
Understanding Elizabeth Taylor’s relationships offers insight into her personal resilience amid relentless media attention. Each marriage occurred alongside landmark films, cultural shifts, and personal hardships. By separating verified facts from gossip, we can appreciate how her private life informed her public persona. This timeline serves as a durable reference for fans, researchers, and biographers interested in the intersection of fame and intimacy.
Conclusion
Elizabeth Taylor’s marital history is a sequence of distinct partnerships, each with unique circumstances and emotional weight. From her impulsive union with Hilton to her enduring bond with Richard Burton and her quiet final marriage to Fortensky, her romantic life mirrored her complex public identity. This verified overview remains useful as an evergreen resource, offering clarity on a frequently misunderstood aspect of her legacy.