The grandchildren of the late actress Elizabeth Taylor are keeping her memory alive through their various pursuits and activism. Taylor, who was known for her iconic film roles and highly publicized personal life, had four children and 10 grandchildren. Her grandchildren have shared fond memories of their grandmother and continue to uphold her legacy through their work and involvement in the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation (ETAF).
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A Close-Knit Family
Taylor’s grandchildren have described their family as close-knit, despite their globetrotting lifestyles. “Family was number one for her,” said Laela Wilding, Taylor’s granddaughter, in an interview with PEOPLE in 2016. “We had a family where we all loved one another—her children and her grandchildren—and it comes from her desire to bring us all together.”
Naomi Wilding, Laela’s sister, recalled their grandmother’s sense of responsibility for raising the younger generations in the family. “It was important to her that she instilled those values in us too,” Naomi told Today in 2021.
Artistic Careers and Ambassadorships
Several of Taylor’s grandchildren have pursued artistic careers. Laela is a graphic designer living in Portland, Oregon, who largely maintains a private life. However, she serves as an ambassador for the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation. Naomi, a fashion stylist, runs the Wilding Gran Gallery in Los Angeles with her husband, Anthony Gran, and is also an ambassador for ETAF.
Rhys Tivey, Liza Todd’s son, is a musician and songwriter, while his brother, Quinn Tivey, is a trustee of Taylor’s estate and the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation. Tarquin Wilding, Michael Wilding Jr.’s son, is an actor who has appeared in “Shameless.” Another of Taylor’s great-grandsons, Andrew Wilding, is an actor, cinematographer, and producer known for his work on projects like “Freestyle” and “Everything Carries Me to You.”
Humanitarian Work and Activism
Taylor’s grandchildren have also been inspired by her humanitarian work and activism. Eliza Carson, Maria McKeown’s daughter, works for the Department of Child Protection in Manhattan and is an ambassador for the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation. She recalled how her grandmother stood up for what was right and how her humanitarian side influenced her career choice.
Lowell Wilding, Christopher Wilding’s son, works with the Elizabeth Taylor Trust, which is part of ETAF, contributing to the official Elizabeth Taylor Archive. “I was always in total awe of the good my grandmother was able to accomplish in her lifetime,” Lowell wrote on the ETAF website, expressing his desire to preserve and continue her legacy.
Carrying on Taylor’s Legacy
Taylor’s grandchildren have actively worked to uphold her legacy and continue her advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community and AIDS research. Many of them are involved with ETAF, either working for the foundation or supporting it through fundraising and raising visibility.
“It’s one of the most beneficial things that we as a family for ETAF have done,” said Naomi to PEOPLE ahead of AIDSwatch 2019. “It keeps us involved and makes us feel part of a community, which is really important to us.”
Taylor’s grandchildren cherish their memories of their grandmother and strive to honor her impact on the world, ensuring that her legacy of love, activism, and creativity lives on through their own lives and work.
