Elizabeth Taylor’s Grandson Quinn Shares Her ‘Violet Eyes’ & Passion As He Continues Her Legacy

Oct 04, 2023

When it comes to classic Hollywood royalty, Elizabeth Taylor was one of those names at the top of the list. The British-American actress was known for her stunningly unique features, violet eyes and charisma on the big screen, which made her one of the most sought-after actresses during her lifetime. 

Some of Taylor’s most popular performances were in “Cleopatra,” “The Taming of the Shrew” and “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” all alongside her partner at the time, Richard Burton.

On top of a highly successful professional life, Taylor also had a very public personal life. She was married a total of eight times, two of which were to Burton. There were some controversies that surrounded her dating life, but ultimately, Taylor got the family she had always wanted. She went on to have four children: Michael Wilding Jr. and Christopher Edward Wilding, who she had with her second husband Michael Wilding, Liza Todd, whom she had with her third husband Mike Todd, and Maria Burton, whom she adopted when she married her fifth husband Richard Burton. Taylor is survived by her four children, along with her 10 grandchildren. 

Nowadays, all of Taylor’s grandchildren are grown up and have shared fond memories of their late grandmother and what she was really like. Her grandchildren include Naomi Wilding, Laela Wilding and Tarquin Wilding, who are all children of Taylor's son Michael; Caleb Wilding, Andrew Wilding and Lowell Wilding, who are Christopher's children; Quinn Tivey and Rhys Tivey, who are Liza's children; and finally, Maria's children, Eliza Carson and Richard McKeown.

It turns out that Taylor was actually responsible for helping raise her grandkids and always wanted to be seen by them as their loving, supportive grandmother rather than a notable celebrity. 

While Taylor was most famous for her beauty, career, activism and relationships, it was her role as a grandmother that truly meant the most to her. Taylor had 10 grandchildren in total, all of whom are now grown. Laela and Naomi, aged 52 and 47, respectively, have pursued careers in graphic design and gallery work. They spoke with TODAY in March 2021, where the sisters opened up about what their grandma was really like behind the scenes and how she has continued to inspire women all over the world. They have also found themselves engaging in humanitarian work and carrying on Taylor’s publicized passions.

“Just because somebody is a superstar doesn’t also mean that they can’t be a loving, squishy, delicious grandma who was always welcoming us in,” Naomi said.

It was a role that meant a lot to Taylor, and she took it upon herself to really immerse herself in helping to raise her 10 grandchildren.

“She had an idea that she was responsible for raising the younger generations in the family, you know,” Naomi said. “It was important to her that she instilled those values in us, too.”

While spreading love and kindness to her grandchildren was crucial for Taylor, she also wanted to share a similar message of hope with the rest of the world and participated in many forms of activism.

“I think that she very early on felt touched by the AIDS crisis,” Laela said. “She felt like people weren’t recognizing the urgency of need. So she put herself front and center in a very sincere way.”  

According to TODAY, Taylor co-founded the American Foundation for AIDS Research in 1985 and founded the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation in 1991. Quinn is 37 and runs the latter foundation. His brother Rhys, 32, spoke about Taylor’s passion for activism with Town & Country Magazine back in 2017.

“She always wanted to do the hardest and most unlikely thing first,” he said.

Taylor’s work ethic, dedication to her craft and passion have gone on to inspire not only her fans but also her own family, including Laela. “... I have a teenage daughter, and she inspires my daughter (with) the self-confidence she presents,” she said about her late grandmother during her interview with TODAY. Laela added: 

“She was that person who saw injustice, and started talking about it and never stopped talking about it. Who she was is very relevant, and it might not be in the ways that a person might really think of when they think of her.”

The foundation is something the whole family has worked to involve themselves in, as carrying on Taylor’s legacy and dedication to activism is what’s important to them. “We’re more effective as a group,” Naomi told Town & Country Magazine. “By following her course, we have power as a family.” Her 33-year-old brother Tarquin, a filmmaker, talked about how Taylor’s kind heart has continued to live on through her foundation and her family.

“I often think about how lucky I am to have been born into a group of such wacky, caring, sensitive people,” he said in the same interview. “We admire my grandmother for her boundless generosity, and I believe that we all feel grateful to be able to honor and continue her legacy. Especially together.”  

Aside from carrying her grandmother’s legacy through activism, Quinn has been largely praised for looking like her, particularly in the eyes. 

People online made sure Quinn knew the similarities between him and the late actress. 

“He’s a combo of Elizabeth and Mike Todd... just like her daughter..,” a user commented. 

Many online users have pointed out that Quinn and Taylor share the same “violet eyes.” 

“You can definitely tell they're related. He got her eyes. Props to him for continuing her good work,” another echoed. 

“You have her eyes! The most famous eyes in motion pictures!!! Good for you on carrying on her work! She was incredible!” another mused. 

“Beautifull young man with the eyes of grand mama,” one user wrote. 

“Your grandmother was an extraordinary woman. When the US government turned their back on the aids epidemic your grandmother was right there in founded her foundation. She would be so proud of you for carrrying on her legacy. May God bless you,” another praised. 

In an interview with The List, Quinn raved about his memories with his grandmother. He recalled going to her house in pajamas, snuggling beside her, eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches while watching “Law & Order.” 

Quinn took these memories to his heart and decided to continue his grandmother’s legacy. 

“Hearing from people personally about how the work that she had done touched so many people, my cousin and I were both so moved,” the artist told Town & Country Magazine. “I immediately thought, I need to get more involved. I want to dive into the deep end of this. Through that experience we had the opportunity to see how crucial it was for her family to be participating in her legacy.”

Are you a fan of Elizabeth Taylor? What can you say about her grandchildren? Do you agree that her grandson Quinn Tivey inherited her eyes? Let us know, and pass this on to your family, friends, and other Elizabeth Taylor fans!