Christopher Wilding is an American film professional and photographer best known as the second son of actress Elizabeth Taylor and British actor Michael Wilding. Born on February 27, 1955, he worked behind the scenes in the film industry, including sound-related roles, and is also known for his connection to the famous Taylor family.
Key Takeaways
- Christopher Wilding was born on February 27, 1955, in Los Angeles, California.
- He is the son of Hollywood stars Elizabeth Taylor and Michael Wilding.
- He worked in the film industry, including sound and photography-related roles.
- He was married to Aileen Getty and later Margaret Carlton.
- Christopher has three sons: Caleb, Andrew, and Lowell Wilding.
- Unlike his famous mother, he has generally maintained a more private life.
Who Is Christopher Wilding?
Christopher Wilding is an American film professional and photographer who became known to the public largely because of his family background. He is the second child and second son of legendary actress Elizabeth Taylor and actor Michael Wilding. Taylor’s official biography lists Christopher Edward Wilding as one of her four children.
Born on February 27, 1955, Christopher grew up surrounded by one of the most recognizable families in classic Hollywood. His mother was already a major movie star, while his father was a British actor whose career included films and television.
Although Christopher was raised in a highly public family, he did not pursue the same level of celebrity as his mother. Instead, his professional life was largely connected to the technical and creative side of filmmaking.
Christopher Wilding’s Early Life and Family
His Parents and Siblings
Christopher was born during Elizabeth Taylor’s marriage to Michael Wilding. The couple had two sons: Michael Howard Wilding Jr., born in 1953, and Christopher Edward Wilding, born in 1955.
Christopher later became part of a larger blended family as Elizabeth Taylor had two more children. Her daughter Elizabeth “Liza” Todd was born in 1957, and Maria Burton, whom Taylor adopted, was born in 1961. This made Christopher one of four children in Taylor’s family.
The National Portrait Gallery also identifies Christopher as Taylor’s son and documents him in a 1963 portrait with his mother and siblings.
Growing Up as Elizabeth Taylor’s Son
Having Elizabeth Taylor as a mother meant that Christopher experienced fame from childhood. His mother was one of the most photographed actresses of her generation, and even ordinary family moments could attract public attention.
In a 2024 interview with The Guardian, Christopher discussed his childhood and his relationship with his mother. He recalled being shy as a child and described the attention that followed Taylor when she appeared at events such as his school parents’ day.
His memories offer a different perspective on Elizabeth Taylor: not simply the glamorous actress known around the world, but a mother whose celebrity also shaped everyday family life.
Christopher Wilding’s Career
Christopher did not become a major screen star like his mother. Instead, he developed a career connected to filmmaking behind the camera.
IMDb identifies him with work in the sound department, acting, and assistant-director or second-unit work. His listed film connections include Overboard (1987), Tombstone (1993), and The Shadow (1994).
Other biographical sources describe him as having worked as a photographer and in film sound. This is important because searches for Christopher Wilding can sometimes give the impression that he was primarily an actor. His better-known professional identity has been associated with the technical and creative side of film production.
This behind-the-scenes path also helped distinguish Christopher from his mother. Elizabeth Taylor spent decades in front of the camera, while Christopher’s work allowed him to participate in the entertainment industry without becoming a major celebrity himself.
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Christopher Wilding and Elizabeth Taylor
Christopher’s connection with Elizabeth Taylor remains the main reason people search for his name.
Taylor became one of Hollywood’s most celebrated actresses, appearing in films such as Cleopatra, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? She was also a major advocate for HIV/AIDS awareness and established the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation.
Christopher has spoken publicly about his mother several times over the years. In his 2024 Guardian interview, he offered personal memories of Taylor and discussed aspects of her personality and family life.
More recently, Christopher also attracted attention after commenting on Taylor Swift’s tribute to Elizabeth Taylor. In 2025, he spoke positively about the connection between Swift and his mother and discussed how he viewed the tribute to Taylor’s legacy.
These appearances are relatively unusual because Christopher has generally lived a much quieter public life than his mother.
Who Was Christopher Wilding Married To?
Christopher Wilding has been married twice according to available biographical records.
Marriage to Aileen Getty
Christopher married Aileen Getty in 1981. Getty is the granddaughter of oil industrialist J. Paul Getty and was part of the prominent Getty family. Getty and Christopher had two sons, Caleb and Andrew.
Their marriage eventually ended in divorce. Contemporary reporting and later biographical sources document their family life and the circumstances surrounding Getty’s health and activism during the 1980s.
Christopher and Getty’s marriage also connected two famous American families: the Taylor family through Christopher and the Getty family through Aileen.
Marriage to Margaret Carlton
After his marriage to Aileen Getty ended, Christopher married Margaret Carlton. The couple had a son, Lowell Wilding. IMDb lists Margaret Carlton as Christopher’s wife and Lowell as their child.
Because Christopher has maintained a relatively private personal life, detailed information about his later marriage is much less extensive than information about his famous mother.
Who Are Christopher Wilding’s Children?
Christopher Wilding has three sons:
| Child | Mother | Publicly known connection |
|---|---|---|
| Caleb Wilding | Aileen Getty | Christopher’s son with Aileen Getty |
| Andrew Wilding | Aileen Getty | Christopher’s son with Aileen Getty |
| Lowell Wilding | Margaret Carlton | Christopher’s son with Margaret Carlton |
Available biographical sources identify Caleb and Andrew as Christopher’s children with Aileen Getty and Lowell as his son with Margaret Carlton.
Lowell has received some public attention through his connection to the Elizabeth Taylor legacy. Sources have reported that he has worked with material related to the Elizabeth Taylor Archive and foundation.
Christopher’s children are also part of the wider family tree that connects directly to Elizabeth Taylor’s grandchildren and the continuing preservation of her legacy.
Where Is Christopher Wilding Now?
Christopher Wilding has largely remained out of the spotlight compared with his mother. Recent profiles describe him as living a private life in California and identify him as retired from or no longer actively involved in his earlier film career.
As of 2026, he is 71 years old, having been born on February 27, 1955.
His continued public appearances tend to center on Elizabeth Taylor, family history, and her enduring cultural and charitable legacy rather than a new entertainment career of his own.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Christopher Wilding?
Christopher Wilding was born on February 27, 1955. As of September 2026, he is 71 years old. His birth date is documented by the official Elizabeth Taylor site and IMDb.
Is Christopher Wilding Elizabeth Taylor’s son?
Yes. Christopher Wilding is the second son of actress Elizabeth Taylor and actor Michael Wilding. He was born in 1955 during their marriage.
How many children does Christopher Wilding have?
Christopher Wilding has three sons: Caleb Wilding, Andrew Wilding, and Lowell Wilding. Caleb and Andrew are his sons with Aileen Getty, while Lowell is his son with Margaret Carlton.
What was Christopher Wilding’s career?
Christopher worked in the entertainment industry, particularly in film-related technical roles. IMDb identifies him with sound department work as well as acting and assistant-director credits. He has also been described as a photographer.
Who was Christopher Wilding’s first wife?
Christopher Wilding’s first wife was Aileen Getty. They married in 1981 and had two children together, Caleb and Andrew, before divorcing.
Final Thoughts
Christopher Wilding is best understood as more than simply Elizabeth Taylor’s son. Born into one of Hollywood’s most famous families, he chose a comparatively private path while developing professional experience in filmmaking, sound, and photography.
His family connections remain an important part of his biography, from his parents Elizabeth Taylor and Michael Wilding to his marriages to Aileen Getty and Margaret Carlton and his three sons. At the same time, his own career and personal memories of Taylor provide a more complete picture of a man who experienced Hollywood from both inside and outside the spotlight.
I am Joseph Clark, a vocabulary and language content writer at SynonymLibrary.com. I create clear, practical synonym guides that help readers improve their writing, word choice, and communication skills. My goal is to make language learning simple, accurate, and useful for students, writers, professionals, and everyday learners.
