Naomi Wilding, granddaughter of the iconic Elizabeth Taylor, reminisces about a particularly opulent Christmas with her grandmother that would leave a lasting impression on her life.
According to Mail Online, Naomi shared memories of receiving extraordinary gifts from Taylor when Naomi stayed with the late actress during a holiday season marked by her mother's illness.
Naomi Wilding is the daughter of Michael Wilding Jr., Elizabeth Taylor's eldest son, stemming from Taylor's marriage to Michael Wilding Sr., an English actor. The couple were married from 1952 until their divorce in 1957, having two sons together.
During one particular holiday season, Naomi found herself staying with her grandmother in Los Angeles because her mother was sick. This stay coincided with Christmas, a time reflecting Taylor’s fondness for lavish gifting.
Naomi recalls the luxurious array of gifts: "I remember falling asleep next to the tree in the living room and waking up to the sight of dozens of boxes addressed to me under the tree." These weren’t ordinary gifts; they were high-end clothes and accessories sourced from prestigious brands such as Christian Dior, YSL, and Chanel, purchased at Saks Fifth Avenue.
The memorable gifts included a silk nightdress and dressing gown by Christian Dior, several dresses by YSL, Chanel, and more Dior, as well as sophisticated jackets and outfits which all came from Saks Fifth Avenue, showcasing Taylor’s flair for lavishness.
Despite the luxury and exclusivity of these gifts, they were "all exquisite and completely impractical for the rural life I would go back to," Naomi noted. Her rural upbringing in West Wales contrasted sharply with the glamour of Los Angeles.
Regardless of their practicality, Naomi cherished these gifts, encapsulating them as tokens of her grandmother's generous spirit: "Granny liked to spoil me!" her tone warmed by the reminiscence.
Elizabeth Taylor, celebrated not only for her roles in Hollywood but also her tumultuous personal life, married eight times to seven different men, had four children, including Naomi’s father. Her life, marked by both spotlight and personal trials, also saw her engagement in intensive philanthropy work, particularly in her later years.
Having moved from a rural area to bustling Los Angeles in 2000, Naomi Wilding co-founded Wilding Cran Gallery with her husband, Anthony Cran, in 2014. This move was not just a geographical change but also a cultural transition, partly influenced by her childhood experiences with Taylor.
Naomi eventually had to purchase a trunk to transport her gifts back home from Taylor's residence. As she grew, the clothes were passed down to local girls, "despite my protests," she admits, showcasing both the personal connection to the items and their continued usefulness.
The influence of Elizabeth Taylor extends beyond Hollywood, as Naomi now serves as an ambassador for The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation, perpetuating her grandmother's legacy of charitable efforts. Taylor herself remained active in philanthropy until passing away from congestive heart failure on March 23, 2011, in Los Angeles’s Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.
The narrative of Naomi Wilding’s lavish Christmas gifts provides a glimpse into the personal life of Hollywood’s legendary figure, Elizabeth Taylor. It not only highlights Taylor's love for grand gestures but also underscores her influence on her granddaughter, who continues to honor her legacy through her work and philanthropy.
Naomi’s experiences with her grandmother during that special holiday season encapsulate a story of familial love woven with the fabric of high fashion and philanthropy, leaving an indelible mark on her life and the lives of those she continues to touch through her legacy.
The stories of lavish and impractical Christmas gifts from a grandmother to her granddaughter unfold as timeless memories that continue to inspire generosity and a zest for life, reflective of Taylor’s own spirit.
