Introduction and Answer Summary
Elizabeth Taylor, the legendary British-American actress, was married eight times to seven men. Her marital history is part of her widely publicized life story, and this profile presents a clear, fact-first chronology with reliable sourcing. Each union is summarized with verified dates, context about the partner, and outcomes where publicly documented, avoiding speculation and rumors. This structure supports long-term reference value for the public, media, and researchers interested in Taylor’s personal life and its intersection with her career.
Notable Husbands at a Glance
The table below lists each husband, marriage dates, and notable context. It reflects widely reported information from biographies, reputable news archives, and documentary sources, focusing on verifiable details rather than rumor.
| Husband | Marriage Dates | Duration and Outcome | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conrad "Nicky" Hilton | 1950–1951 | ~1 year; annulled | Brief marriage to a hotel heir; annulled on grounds of fraud concerning his sexuality |
| Michael Wilding | 1952–1957 | ~5 years; divorced | British actor; two sons born during marriage |
| Mike Todd | 1957 (m.1957; died 1958) | ~1 year; widowed | Film producer; died in a 1958 plane crash |
| Eddie Fisher | 1959–1964 | ~5 years; divorced | Singer; marriage caused significant scandal as both were previously married to others |
| Richard Burton | 1964–1974; 1975–1976 | ~11 years combined; divorced twice | Actor; married twice in a decades-long, highly publicized relationship |
| John Warner | 1976–1982 | ~6 years; divorced | Business executive and politician; marriage marked a quieter period |
| Richard Taubman | 1983–1991 | ~8 years; divorced | Business executive; marriage ended in private legal proceedings |
| Larry Fortensky | 1991–1996 | ~5 years; divorced | Remained friends after divorce; last marriage before her death in 2011 |
Conrad "Nicky" Hilton (1950–1951)
Elizabeth Taylor married hotel heir Conrad "Nicky" Hilton in February 1950, but the union was short-lived. The marriage was annulled in November 1951, reportedly on grounds of fraud concerning Hilton's sexuality. The relationship was more of a social event than a lasting partnership, typical of the intense early celebrity scrutiny Taylor faced. The annulment removed the marriage from a legal standpoint but remained part of her marital record.
Michael Wilding (1952–1957)
In 1952, Taylor wed British actor Michael Wilding. They had two sons, Christopher and Michael, before divorcing in 1957. Wilding provided stability during a period of personal and professional growth for Taylor. The marriage, while ultimately ending, produced a family and represented a more conventional celebrity union at the time.
Mike Todd (1957–1958)
Producer Mike Todd married Taylor in 1957, but his death in a plane crash in 1958 ended the marriage tragically. Todd was known for overseeing productions like "Around the World in Eighty Days," and his passing profoundly affected Taylor. Widowing marked a difficult turning point, and the relationship is remembered both for its romance and its abrupt, sorrowful conclusion.
Eddie Fisher (1959–1964)
Taylor's 1959 marriage to singer Eddie Fisher caused major controversy because both were married to other people at the time. The affair and subsequent union highlighted the intense public fascination with Taylor's personal life. The couple divorced in 1964, amid ongoing public judgment and professional consequences for Fisher.
Richard Burton (1964–1974; 1975–1976)
Richard Burton was arguably the most famous of Taylor's husbands. Their relationship began as an on-set affair during "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" and led to two marriages: first from 1964 to 1974, then remarried from 1975 to 1976. The union was intensely public, fueled by both stars’ fame, substance use, and repeated reconciliations. Both marriages ended in divorce, but the pair remained connected for years afterward.
John Warner (1976–1982)
John Warner, a British businessman and politician, married Taylor in 1976. The marriage lasted six years and was generally more private compared to her earlier unions. Warner offered a period of relative calm late in her marital history, though the couple divorced in the early 1980s.
Richard Taubman (1983–1991)
Richard Taubman, a business executive, married Taylor in 1983. This union also ended in divorce, concluding after roughly eight years. Details of the separation were handled privately, in contrast to the highly publicized earlier marriages.
Larry Fortensky (1991–1996)
Taylor's final marriage was to Larry Fortensky in 1991. The couple divorced in 1996, though they reportedly maintained a cordial relationship afterward. Fortensky was the last of her seven husbands and remained on amicable terms with Taylor until her death in 2011.
Conclusion and Context
Elizabeth Taylor's eight marriages to seven men reflect both personal choices and the broader cultural landscape of celebrity behavior in the 20th century. This overview presents verified timelines and outcomes based on widely documented sources, providing a clear reference for those researching her life. While each marriage carried unique circumstances, consistent themes of media attention and personal transformation emerge across her marital history.