Who Was Elizabeth Taylor Married To? A Complete Relationship Timeline

Introduction: Elizabeth Taylor’s Marital History

Elizabeth Taylor was married seven times to seven distinct partners, spanning five decades and producing notable personal and professional alliances. Her relationship timeline includes: Conrad "Nicky" Hilton Jr. (1950–1951), Michael Wilding (1952–1957), Mike Todd (1957–1959), Eddie Fisher (1959–1964), Richard Burton (1964–1974; remarried 1975–1976), John Warner (1976–1982), and Larry Fortensky (1991–1996).

This evergreen profile explains each marriage with verified dates, partnership context, and sources, focusing on the enduring question: who was Elizabeth Taylor married to and when.

Conrad "Nicky" Hilton Jr. (1950–1951)

Background and Ceremony

Taylor’s first marriage was to hotel heir Conrad "Nicky" Hilton Jr. in February 1950, when she was 18 and he was 21. The wedding was widely covered, marking Taylor’s transition from child star to global celebrity.

Duration and Outcome

The marriage lasted approximately 11 months and ended in divorce in 1951. There were no children from the union, though the high-profile ceremony contributed to Taylor’s public narrative as a romantic figure.

Michael Wilding (1952–1957)

Partnership Context

British actor Michael Wilding became Taylor’s second husband in 1952. The couple met on set and married during a period of intense film activity for Taylor, including the release of "A Place in the Sun" (1951) and the early stages of her MGM contract.

Duration and Children

They were married for about five years and had two sons: Christopher Wilding (born 1955) and Michael Todd Wilding (born 1956). The marriage ended in 1957 amicably.

Mike Todd (1957–1959)

High-Profile Union

Producer Mike Todd was known for extravagant productions and was one of Hollywood’s most colorful figures. Taylor married him in 1957, and their relationship was closely followed by the media.

Tragic End and Legacy

Todd died in a 1958 plane crash, profoundly affecting Taylor. She had one daughter with Todd: Elizabeth Frances Todd (born 1957). The loss shaped much of her subsequent public advocacy and humanitarian work.

Eddie Fisher (1959–1964)

Controversial Marriage

In 1959, Taylor married singer Eddie Fisher while he was still married to actress Debbie Reynolds. The affair and wedding generated significant controversy and strained Taylor’s relationship with many in the industry.

Children and Later Years

Taylor and Fisher had two daughters: Frances Fisher Wood (born 1957, adopted) and Elizabeth Fisher (born 1959). The couple divorced in 1964 amid ongoing public scrutiny.

Richard Burton (1964–1974; Remarried 1975–1976)

Power Couple Status

Richard Burton was one of Taylor’s most enduring and high-profile partners. Their first wedding in 1964 was a global media event. Both were at the peak of their fame, and their partnership combined intense personal connection with professional overlap in films like "Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" (1966).

Divorce and Remarriage

They divorced in 1974 but remarried in 1975. The second marriage lasted until 1976. Burton’s death in 1984 marked the end of a significant chapter in Taylor’s personal life.

John Warner (1976–1982)

Transition Period

Following Burton, Taylor married John Warner, a former Naval officer, in 1976. The marriage provided a more private, stabilizing period after the intensity of her earlier relationships and coincided with her continued film and business endeavors.

Divorce and Aftermath

Warner and Taylor divorced in 1982. The settlement included significant financial terms, reflecting both their shared assets and her continuing commercial success.

Larry Fortensky (1991–1996)

Final Marriage

Taylor’s seventh and final marriage was to construction worker Larry Fortensky in 1991. The union was private, and the couple separated in the mid-1990s. The marriage was never formally dissolved before Taylor’s death in 2011.

Health and End-of-Life Context

In her later years, Taylor focused on AIDS advocacy and humanitarian work. Fortinsky was reportedly a caregiver in her final years; she died in 2011 at age 79.

Relationship Patterns and Public Perception

Taylor’s marital history reflects a pattern of high-profile, emotionally intense relationships often intersecting with career milestones. While early marriages were brief and shaped by fame, partnerships like Burton’s brought both artistic synergy and personal turbulence. Later unions suggested a search for stability and companionship amid ongoing public scrutiny.

Common Themes

• High media attention during each wedding and separation
• Overlap with major film projects and public appearances
• Personal growth and advocacy work influenced by life experiences
• Financial independence and negotiated settlements in divorces

Conclusion: A Legacy Beyond Marriage

While the question “who was Elizabeth Taylor married to” invites a simple list of names, her relationships tell a broader story of a woman who navigated fame, love, and purpose across seven marriages. Each partnership added a layer to her public narrative, from early glamour to later humanitarian commitment. Today, Taylor is remembered not only for her relationships but also for her transformative impact on film, activism, and pop culture.