Liza Todd Biography: Elizabeth Taylor’s Daughter, Family and Art Career

Liza Todd is an American sculptor and the daughter of acclaimed actress Elizabeth Taylor and film and theater producer Mike Todd. Born on August 6, 1957, she grew up in a family closely connected to the entertainment industry. However, she chose visual art rather than acting as her primary profession.

Known professionally as Liza Todd and Liza Todd-Tivey, she specializes in equestrian and animal sculpture. Her body of work includes bronze representations of celebrated racehorses, dogs and other animals. This artistic focus has allowed her to establish a professional identity separate from her parents’ Hollywood careers.

Beyond her work as an artist, Liza is the former wife of artist Hap Tivey and the mother of two sons, Quinn Tivey and Rhys Tivey. Her biography combines a prominent family background with a quieter career devoted to sculpture and animal subjects.

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Liza Todd Profile Summary

Liza Todd’s Early Life and Background

Liza Todd was born on August 6, 1957, to Elizabeth Taylor and Mike Todd. Her mother was already an established film star, while her father was a successful producer associated with major theatrical and cinematic projects. Liza was the only child born during their marriage.

Mike Todd died in a plane crash on March 22, 1958, when Liza was still an infant. His death meant that she grew up without direct memories of her biological father. Her early family life subsequently developed around her mother and Elizabeth Taylor’s expanding household.

Liza has two maternal half-brothers, Michael Wilding Jr. and Christopher Wilding, from Elizabeth Taylor’s marriage to British actor Michael Wilding. She also has an adoptive sister, Maria Burton. Richard Burton, one of Taylor’s later husbands, adopted Liza and became an important parental figure during her childhood.

Although her family was famous, Liza developed an interest in the visual arts rather than building a career in mainstream entertainment. She studied at Hornsey College of Art in London and the Otis Art Institute in Los Angeles. This education provided a foundation for her later work as a professional sculptor.

Liza Todd’s Career and Professional Journey

Liza Todd built her career around figurative sculpture, with a particular focus on horses and other animals. Her knowledge of animal structure and movement became central to her artistic style. Instead of relying on her connection to Hollywood, she developed a specialized reputation in the field of equestrian art.

Bronze became an important medium in her professional work. Her sculptures capture the physical form, posture and character of their subjects, particularly racehorses. This combination of technical observation and artistic interpretation helped her attract private commissions from collectors and organizations connected to the equestrian world.

Her portfolio includes sculptures of celebrated racehorses such as Northern Dancer, Seattle Slew, John Henry and Secretariat. She also created a half-life-size memorial to Nashua, an influential American Thoroughbred racehorse, for Spendthrift Farm.

Liza’s work extends beyond horses. She has produced sculptures of dogs, wildlife and farm animals, demonstrating a broader interest in animal art. Her career is therefore more accurately associated with sculpture than acting, despite her connection to one of Hollywood’s most famous families.

She has also used the professional name Liza Todd-Tivey, reflecting her marriage to artist Hap Tivey. Her sculptures have appeared in private collections, specialist exhibitions and art auctions, helping her maintain a distinct position within contemporary animal and equestrian art.

Liza Todd’s Major Achievements and Recognition

One of Liza Todd’s notable achievements is her collection of commissioned sculptures depicting prominent racehorses. Creating representations of animals such as Secretariat, Seattle Slew and Northern Dancer connected her work with some of the most recognized names in Thoroughbred racing history.

Her Nashua memorial was another significant commission. Memorial sculptures require both anatomical precision and an understanding of the subject’s historical importance. The project demonstrated her ability to produce work intended for long-term display in an equestrian setting.

In 1999, the Swiss village of Gstaad commissioned Liza to create a life-size bronze calf. The finished sculpture, known as Rosie, was installed in the village square. The commission broadened her portfolio beyond racehorses and placed her work in a prominent public environment.

Liza’s sculptures have also been discussed in connection with the history of racehorses in art. Her work was included in John Fairley’s book Great Racehorses in Art, which examined artistic representations of important horses. This recognition placed her work within the broader tradition of equestrian sculpture.

Her professional importance rests on a sustained artistic specialty rather than celebrity exposure. Through private commissions, public sculpture and collectible bronze works, Liza established a career that reflects her own training and interest in animals.

Liza Todd’s Marriage, Children and Family

Liza Todd married artist Hap Tivey in 1984. Their marriage lasted until 2003. The couple had two sons, Quinn Tivey and Rhys Tivey, both of whom have pursued interests connected to art, music and the wider Taylor family legacy.

Quinn Tivey has participated in work associated with the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation. His involvement supports the continuation of his grandmother’s humanitarian efforts, particularly her advocacy for people affected by HIV and AIDS.

Rhys Tivey has pursued work in music and the arts. Although Liza belongs to a famous entertainment family, she and her children have generally been recognized for their individual professional interests rather than for extensive participation in celebrity culture.

Liza’s wider family includes relatives working in acting, filmmaking, photography, music and visual art. This creative environment provides important context for her career, but her equestrian sculptures remain the defining element of her professional life.

Frequently Asked Questions About Liza Todd

Who is Liza Todd?

Liza Todd is an American sculptor and the daughter of actress Elizabeth Taylor and producer Mike Todd. She is known for creating equestrian and animal sculptures.

How old is Liza Todd?

Liza Todd was born on August 6, 1957. She is 69 years old as of September 2026.

Is Liza Todd an actress?

Liza Todd is primarily recognized as a sculptor and visual artist. Her documented professional career centers on bronze equestrian and animal sculpture rather than acting.

Who was Liza Todd married to?

She was married to artist Hap Tivey from 1984 until 2003.

Who are Liza Todd’s children?

Liza Todd has two sons, Quinn Tivey and Rhys Tivey. Quinn is associated with the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation, while Rhys has pursued interests in music and the arts.

Conclusion

Liza Todd is the only daughter of Elizabeth Taylor and Mike Todd. Although she was born into a prominent Hollywood family, she followed an independent professional path as a visual artist. Her training in London and Los Angeles helped prepare her for a career specializing in animal and equestrian sculpture.

Her major works include bronze sculptures of renowned racehorses, a memorial to Nashua and the life-size calf commissioned by Gstaad. These projects demonstrate the technical and artistic focus that defines her career.

Liza’s family includes her former husband, Hap Tivey, and their sons, Quinn and Rhys. Her biography is closely connected to Elizabeth Taylor’s family history, but her lasting professional identity is based on her own contribution to contemporary equestrian and animal art.