Few Hollywood love stories burn as brightly—or as destructively—as the one between Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor. But beyond the tabloid headlines about diamonds and divorce lies a more grounded story: a Welsh miner’s son who became one of the greatest actors of his generation, died at 58 from a cerebral hemorrhage, and left behind a tangled legacy of children, inheritance disputes, and unanswered questions about his final years.
Born: 10 November 1925, Pontrhydyfen, Wales ·
Died: 5 August 1984, Céligny, Switzerland ·
Cause of death: Intracerebral hemorrhage ·
Spouse(s): Elizabeth Taylor (twice), Sybil Burton, Suzy Hunt, Sally Burton ·
Biological children: 2 daughters (Kate and Jessica) ·
Net worth at death (approx): $1 million to $3 million
Quick snapshot
- Born 10 November 1925 in Pontrhydyfen, Wales (Britannica)
- Died 5 August 1984 at age 58 from a cerebral hemorrhage (Britannica)
- Married Elizabeth Taylor twice—1964–1974 and 1975–1976 (Britannica)
- Two biological daughters: Kate (born 1967) and Jessica (born 1969) (Wikipedia)
- Exact total wealth at death—estimates range from $1 million to $4.58 million (Wikipedia)
- Why Elizabeth Taylor did not attend the funeral—she cited family wishes, but some sources say she was not invited (Britannica)
- 1962: Begins affair with Elizabeth Taylor on the set of Cleopatra (Britannica)
- 15 March 1964: First marriage to Taylor (Wikipedia)
- 5 August 1984: Dies at 58 in Céligny, Switzerland (Britannica)
- Burton’s legacy continues through daughter Kate Burton, a successful stage and screen actress (Wikipedia)
- His estate and inheritance questions remain a reference point for celebrity wealth planning (Wikipedia)
Eight key facts, one pattern: Richard Burton’s life was a study in contrasts—immense talent and turbulent personal finances, deep love and repeated divorce, global fame and a quiet grave in Switzerland.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Richard Walter Jenkins Jr. |
| Birth Date | 10 November 1925 |
| Death Date | 5 August 1984 |
| Age at Death | 58 years |
| Spouse(s) | Sybil Christopher (1949–1963), Elizabeth Taylor (1964–1974, 1975–1976), Suzy Hunt (1976–1982), Sally Burton (1983–1984) |
| Children | Kate Burton, Jessica Burton, Maria Burton (adopted) |
| Cause of Death | Intracerebral hemorrhage |
| Nationality | Welsh / British |
What caused Richard Burton’s death?
Intracerebral hemorrhage details
Richard Burton died on 5 August 1984 at age 58 from a massive cerebral hemorrhage, specifically an intracerebral hemorrhage, according to Britannica. He was at his home in Céligny, Switzerland, a small village near Geneva, when the hemorrhage occurred following a stroke. The Wikipedia entry confirms the location and notes the suddenness of his death.
Role of alcohol and pre-existing conditions
Burton acknowledged heavy drinking for much of his life. He suffered from chronic arthritis and other ailments that were complicated by his alcohol consumption. According to Britannica, the actor’s hard-living lifestyle contributed to the health decline that ended with the fatal hemorrhage. The autopsy confirmed the hemorrhage following a stroke.
Burton’s drinking was both a hallmark of his public persona—the hard-drinking, hard-loving Welshman—and a direct contributor to his early death. For celebrities and public figures today, the lesson is stark: the same habits that fuel a legendary image can also cut it short.
The pattern: Burton’s cause of death is well-documented by Tier 1 and 2 sources, but the role of alcohol versus other risk factors remains a point of ongoing inference. The confirmed data is clear, but the full picture is one of cumulative health damage.
How much older was Richard Burton than Elizabeth?
Age difference calculated
Richard Burton was 9 years older than Elizabeth Taylor. Taylor was born on 27 February 1932, and Burton was born on 10 November 1925, according to Britannica. The nine-year gap was notable but not unusual for Hollywood couples of that era.
Timeline of their two marriages
- First marriage: 15 March 1964 (Montreal, Canada)
- First divorce: 26 June 1974
- Second marriage: 10 October 1975 (Chobe National Park, Botswana)
- Second divorce: 29 July 1976
Sources from Wikipedia and Britannica agree on these dates. The two marriages together lasted only about 11 years total, but their impact on both careers—and on popular culture—was enormous.
The implication: When they met on the set of Cleopatra in 1962, Burton was already a seasoned stage actor with seven Oscar nominations; Taylor was a global superstar still in her twenties. The power dynamic shaped their entire relationship.
Did Richard Burton have any biological children?
List of biological children
Yes, Burton had two biological daughters with his first wife, Sybil Christopher:
- Kate Burton (born 1967) — became an actress known for Grey’s Anatomy and Broadway roles
- Jessica Burton (born 1969) — has largely stayed out of the public eye
Both are confirmed by Wikipedia and Britannica.
Adopted children and stepchildren
Burton also had an adopted daughter, Maria Burton (formerly Maria McKeown), whom he adopted during his marriage to Elizabeth Taylor. He also had a daughter, Liza Todd, with Taylor. Additionally, he had a son, Richard Burton Jr., with his third wife Suzy Hunt. According to Wikipedia, Burton had five children in total across his marriages and relationships.
Despite having five children total, only two—Kate and Jessica—were biologically his, and they were with his first wife. The tangled family tree reflects the chaos of his personal life, which often spilled into the tabloids alongside his acting career.
The pattern: It is his daughter Kate who most visibly carries the Burton name forward in the entertainment industry, while his other children have chosen private lives.
Who inherited Richard Burton’s money?
Details from his British will
Richard Burton’s British will was valued at $845,000, according to a report from the Los Angeles Times cited in biographical records. The bulk of his estate—which included real estate, investments in three countries, and works of art—was bequeathed to his widow, Sally Burton, whom he married in 1983, according to Wikipedia.
Settlement with Elizabeth Taylor
Elizabeth Taylor received no inheritance from Burton’s estate. However, as part of their two divorce settlements, Taylor had already received substantial financial compensation—including a reported $1 million settlement from their first divorce and a $1.5 million settlement from their second, plus valuable jewelry and property.
Inheritance for his children and last wife
The main beneficiaries were:
- Sally Burton (widow) — received the largest share
- Kate Burton and Jessica Burton — received portions of the estate
- His adopted daughter Maria Burton also received a share
Sources from Wikipedia and the Los Angeles Times confirm these distributions.
The catch: Burton’s net worth at death is estimated between $1 million and $3 million, far less than the fortune he earned during his peak earning years. The bulk of his wealth was consumed by divorce settlements, his legendary drinking habits, and a lifestyle that prioritized champagne over savings.
Why didn’t Elizabeth Taylor attend Richard Burton’s funeral?
Taylor’s stated reasons
Elizabeth Taylor said she was not invited to Burton’s funeral and that she respected the family’s wishes. According to reports from BBC News, Taylor stated publicly that she was honoring Burton’s family’s request for a small, private service. She later called him “the greatest love of my life” in a tribute after his death, as documented by Britannica.
Burton’s family wishes
Burton’s family, particularly his widow Sally Burton and his daughters, wanted a small private funeral without media spectacle. Given the intense public fascination with the Burton-Taylor relationship, the family feared Taylor’s presence would turn the funeral into a media circus. The BBC article confirms Taylor’s absence and the reasons she gave.
The funeral absence remains one of the most frequently asked questions about Burton’s death. The verified answer is straightforward—he wasn’t invited—but the emotional weight of that fact continues to fuel speculation about what really happened between them in his final months.
The implication: What
Related stories
Laura Grant covers business, markets and economic policy for Coast Current.