Christopher Edward Wilding grew up inside one of Hollywood’s most closely watched families, yet he spent his adult life far from the red carpet. Born to actress Elizabeth Taylor and British actor Michael Wilding, he built a career behind the camera, raised three sons, and stayed close to his mother until her death in 2011.
Early Life and Family Background
Christopher was born on February 27, 1955, in California, which is also his mother’s birthday. Taylor was born on February 27, 1932. His father, Michael Wilding, was a well-known British film actor. Taylor and Wilding married in 1952 and divorced in 1957, when Christopher was about two years old.
He was the younger of the couple’s two sons. His older brother is Michael Wilding Jr. After the divorce, Taylor went on to have two more children: Liza Todd, from her marriage to producer Mike Todd, and Maria Burton, who joined the family during her marriage to Richard Burton. Christopher’s father died on July 8, 1979.
Growing Up Around Hollywood
Christopher’s childhood unfolded around film sets, awards seasons, and constant press attention. His mother won her first Academy Award in 1961, when he was a young boy. Over the years, he watched her marry several times while remaining one of the most photographed women in the world.
His one known screen appearance came in the 1967 film The Taming of the Shrew, starring Taylor and Burton. Christopher and Michael Jr. appeared as extras. The experience did not lead to an acting career. As an adult, he chose work on the technical side of filmmaking.
Career Behind the Camera
Wilding worked in several behind-the-scenes roles rather than seeking fame as a performer. Reports describe him as a sound editor, and credits attributed to him include assistant sound editing on films such as Apartment Zero, Loverboy, and The Shadow. He is also reported to have worked in camera and assistant director roles, including on The Mirror Crack’d, which starred his mother.
He has also been described as a film editor and photographer. Unlike Taylor, he has never been a household name, and little detail exists about his day-to-day work. That limited record is a large part of why so many people searching his name want to know who he is.
Marriage to Aileen Getty
Christopher began dating Aileen Getty, granddaughter of oil tycoon J. Paul Getty, around 1980. The two married on August 26, 1981, at a chapel on Sunset Strip in Los Angeles. Their union linked two of America’s best-known families.
After struggling to have a child, the couple adopted a son, Caleb, in 1983. Aileen later gave birth to a second son, Andrew, in the mid-1980s. Sources differ on whether that was 1984 or 1985.
Aileen was diagnosed with HIV in the mid-1980s, a time when the virus carried heavy fear and stigma. She has spoken publicly about the support she received from Elizabeth Taylor, who became a leading voice in the fight against AIDS. Christopher and Aileen’s marriage ended in divorce in the late 1980s, though published accounts give different years.
Margaret Carlton and a Third Son
After the divorce, Christopher married Margaret “Margie” Carlton. Their son, Lowell, was born in the early 1990s, with reports citing 1991 or 1992. Media reports have placed the couple in Calabasas, California.
Almost nothing about their home life appears in reliable sources. Christopher has not used his famous surname to court publicity, and the couple has stayed out of the tabloids.
Christopher Wilding’s Children
Christopher is the father of three sons.
Caleb Wilding, the eldest, was adopted by Christopher and Aileen in 1983. He keeps a low public profile, and little reliable information about his life is available.
Andrew Wilding is Christopher’s second son and has reportedly followed the family into filmmaking, working behind the camera.
Lowell Wilding, the youngest, is Christopher’s son with Margaret Carlton. He is involved in compiling the Elizabeth Taylor Archive, a project of the Elizabeth Taylor Trust, and serves as an ambassador for the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation. His work helps carry his grandmother’s legacy forward.
His Bond With Elizabeth Taylor
Christopher stayed close to Taylor throughout her life. He appeared beside her at family gatherings and public events, including a gala at Christie’s in New York celebrating her book Elizabeth Taylor: My Love Affair with Jewelry. He was also among the family members who attended her 75th birthday party in Las Vegas.
Taylor died on March 23, 2011, at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. Reports at the time said her children were with her.
In recent years, Christopher has occasionally spoken about his mother in interviews. He gave one to People after Taylor Swift referenced Elizabeth Taylor in a song title on her album The Life of a Showgirl, and he praised the tribute. His comments tend to focus on her talent and her humanitarian work. Taylor received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award in 1993 for her efforts in the fight against HIV and AIDS.
Where Is Christopher Wilding Now?
Christopher is 71 years old as of 2026. He has reportedly retired from film work and lives privately. Earlier reports placed him in Calabasas, California, but no recent, reliable source confirms his current address or daily routine.
That absence of detail reflects his own choice. He appears in public mainly in connection with his mother’s legacy, not for any career of his own.
Conclusion
Christopher Wilding is most often introduced as Elizabeth Taylor’s son, but his own story is distinct. He grew up in the middle of Hollywood fame, appeared briefly on screen as a boy, and then pursued technical film work away from the spotlight. He raised three sons, married twice, and remained a steady presence in his mother’s life.
His public statements show a son who values both her artistry and her charity work. While many details of his private life remain undisclosed, the verified record shows a man who chose privacy over publicity.
FAQs
How old is Christopher Wilding?
He was born on February 27, 1955, which makes him 71 in 2026.
Who are Christopher Wilding’s parents?
His parents are actress Elizabeth Taylor and British actor Michael Wilding. They married in 1952 and divorced in 1957.
Who are Christopher Wilding’s children?
He has three sons: Caleb, adopted in 1983, and Andrew, both with Aileen Getty, and Lowell, with Margaret Carlton.
What did Christopher Wilding do for a living?
He worked behind the scenes in film, mainly in sound editing, and is also described as a film editor and photographer.
Who were Christopher Wilding’s wives?
He first married Aileen Getty in 1981. He later married Margaret “Margie” Carlton.
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