Maria Burton Carson is best known as the adopted daughter of actress Elizabeth Taylor and actor Richard Burton. Born in Munich, Germany, Maria joined their famous family when she was a young child. She later married twice and became the mother of two children. Unlike her parents, Maria has spent most of her adult life away from the entertainment industry.
Maria Burton Carson’s Profile Summary
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Maria Burton Carson |
| Birth name | Maria Burton |
| Birthday | August 1 |
| Reported birth year | 1961 |
| Birthplace | Munich, Germany |
| Nationality | American |
| Adoptive mother | Elizabeth Taylor |
| Adoptive father | Richard Burton |
| Adopted | Around age 3 |
| Reported profession | Clothing designer, philanthropist |
| First husband | Daniel Steve Carson |
| Second husband | Tom McKeown |
| Children | Elizabeth Carson and Richard |
| Reported residence | Idaho |
| Net worth | Not reliably known |
Maria Burton Carson’s Age and Early Life
Maria Burton Carson was born in Munich, Germany, on August 1.
Most available sources give her birth year as 1961, although one source also reports 1962. If the 1961 date is correct, Maria is 65 years old in 2026.
Her biological parents have not been publicly identified. There is also no reliable information about her biological siblings or the circumstances that led to her adoption.
Her Childhood Health Problems
Maria had a serious hip condition when she was young. Sources describe it as a deformed hip or physical disability.
She reportedly underwent several operations to treat the condition. Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton supported her medical care after she became part of their family.
The exact medical diagnosis has not been publicly confirmed.
Adoption by Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton
Maria was around three years old when she was adopted into Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton’s family.
The adoption is generally reported as taking place around 1964, the same year Taylor and Burton married for the first time.
Some secondary sources give confusing information about the exact timing. However, it is well established that Maria became their daughter when she was very young.
Who Was Elizabeth Taylor?
Elizabeth Taylor was a British-American actress and one of Hollywood’s best-known stars.
She was born on February 27, 1932. Her acting career began when she was a child, and she became a major movie star during the 1950s and 1960s.
Her films included Cleopatra, the 1963 historical drama in which she appeared with Richard Burton. Taylor won two Academy Awards for Best Actress during her career.
She also became well known for her humanitarian work, particularly her work related to HIV/AIDS.
Elizabeth Taylor died on March 23, 2011, at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. She was 79.
Who Was Richard Burton?
Richard Burton was a Welsh actor known for his film and stage career and distinctive baritone voice.
He was born on November 10, 1925. His acting work included a famous performance as Hamlet on Broadway in 1964.
Burton and Elizabeth Taylor became one of the most widely followed celebrity couples of their time.
They first married on March 15, 1964. They divorced in 1974, remarried in 1975, and divorced for a second time in 1976.
Richard Burton died on August 5, 1984, four days after Maria’s birthday.
Maria Burton Carson’s Siblings
Through Elizabeth Taylor, Maria grew up with three siblings:
- Michael Wilding Jr.
- Christopher Wilding
- Liza Todd
Michael and Christopher are Elizabeth Taylor’s sons from her marriage to British actor Michael Wilding.
Liza Todd is Taylor’s daughter from her marriage to film producer Mike Todd.
Richard Burton also had children from another relationship, including actresses Kate Burton and Jessica Burton, giving Maria additional family connections through her adoptive father.
Some secondary websites list other people as Maria’s siblings, but those lists are inconsistent and should not be treated as confirmed.
Education
Little is publicly known about Maria’s education.
No reliable sources in the available information identify the schools or colleges she attended or any degrees she earned.
Maria Burton Carson’s Career

Maria did not follow Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton into acting.
Several secondary sources describe her as a clothing or fashion designer and a philanthropist or humanitarian.
However, details about her professional life are limited. There is no well-documented fashion company, clothing label, major collection, or specific charitable organization publicly connected to her in the available information.
She has generally stayed outside the entertainment industry.
First Marriage to Daniel Steve Carson
Maria married Daniel Steve Carson, also known as Steve Carson, on February 13, 1981.
One source reports that they had a private wedding in New York City.
The couple had one daughter together, Elizabeth Carson, who was born in 1982.
Maria and Steve’s marriage lasted for about 19 years before ending in divorce in 2000.
Some secondary reports describe disputes between Maria and Steve during their separation, including disagreements involving their daughter and finances. These are reported allegations rather than established facts.
Her Daughter Elizabeth Carson
Elizabeth Carson is Maria’s first child and the granddaughter of Elizabeth Taylor.
She was born in 1982.
Reports say Elizabeth Carson spent time with her famous grandmother while growing up.
Her name may have been chosen in honor of Elizabeth Taylor, although the available sources do not directly confirm the reason.
Second Marriage to Tom McKeown
Maria Burton Carson later married Tom McKeown.
Sources disagree about the exact year. Some say they married in 2002, while another gives 2001.
Maria and Tom had a son named Richard.
The available sources do not provide Richard’s exact date of birth.
Problems in Her Second Marriage
Maria’s second marriage also ended in divorce.
Secondary reports describe serious disputes between Maria and Tom. Maria reportedly accused him of verbal abuse and violent behavior toward her and her son. One source says a restraining order was issued.
Tom reportedly denied allegations against him and made his own accusations against Maria.
Because the available information describes conflicting claims between the former couple, these allegations should not be treated as proven facts.
The exact date their divorce became final is not clearly documented in the supplied information.
Maria Burton Carson’s Children
Maria is the mother of two children.
Her daughter, Elizabeth Carson, was born during her marriage to Steve Carson.
Her son, Richard, was born during her relationship with Tom McKeown.
Maria has kept details about her children largely private.
Maria’s Public Appearances
Although Maria Burton Carson has avoided a career in entertainment, she has occasionally appeared publicly with members of her famous family.
She was photographed with Elizabeth Taylor at the Roxy Roller Disco in New York City in 1980.
Maria and Steve Carson also attended public events together, including the launch of Elizabeth Taylor’s Passion for Men fragrance.
Maria was also photographed at an Interview Magazine party at Limelight in New York.
In March 2013, she attended the ceremony honoring Richard Burton with a posthumous star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Hollywood, California.
Where Is Maria Burton Carson Now?
Maria Burton Carson has lived a much more private life than her adoptive parents.
Secondary sources published in recent years have reported that she was living in Idaho. However, her current residence in 2026 has not been independently confirmed.
There is also no reliable recent information about her current relationship status or professional projects.
Maria Burton Carson’s Net Worth
Maria Burton Carson’s personal net worth is not reliably known.
Some websites have suggested that she may be wealthy because of her family background and possible inheritance from Elizabeth Taylor. These claims do not provide enough evidence to establish her personal wealth.
Elizabeth Taylor’s reported fortune should not be used as Maria’s net worth.
Social Media
No verified public social media account belonging to Maria Burton Carson has been clearly identified.
One secondary profile mentions Instagram, but the same source later says she has no verified social media accounts.
Maria Burton Carson has generally maintained a private life with relatively few recent public appearances.
Facts About Maria Burton Carson
- Maria Burton Carson is the adopted daughter of Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton.
- She was born in Munich, Germany.
- Her birthday is reported as August 1.
- Most sources give 1961 as her birth year, although there is conflicting information.
- Her biological parents have not been publicly identified.
- She was adopted when she was around three years old.
- She had a serious hip condition as a child and reportedly underwent several operations.
- Her siblings through Elizabeth Taylor include Michael Wilding Jr., Christopher Wilding, and Liza Todd.
- She has been described as a clothing designer and philanthropist.
- She married Daniel Steve Carson in 1981.
- Maria and Steve had a daughter, Elizabeth Carson, in 1982.
- Their marriage ended in 2000.
- Maria later married Tom McKeown.
- Maria and Tom had a son named Richard.
- Her second marriage also ended in divorce.
- She attended Richard Burton’s Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony in 2013.
- She has reportedly lived in Idaho.
- Her current professional activities are not publicly documented.
- Her personal net worth and inheritance from Elizabeth Taylor are not reliably known.
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