Liza Minnelli Says Parents Judy Garland & Vincente Minnelli ‘Didn’t Like Each Other’

Lauren Novak October 23, 2024

American actress and singer Liza Minnelli with her father, Italian-American movie director Vincente Minnelli (1903 - 1986), and her mother, American actress and singer Judy Garland (1922 - 1969), backstage after she opened in 'Flora the Red Menace' at the Alvin Theatre, New York, US, 11th May 1965 — Regan/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Liza Minnelli is the daughter of famous stars Judy Garland and Vincente Minnelli. They split when Liza was just a young girl, around 5 years old. Unlike many children of divorced parents, Liza admitted that she never wanted them to get back together and doesn’t really even remember their divorce.

Judy met director Vincente during the filming of one of her most famous films, 1944’s Meet Me in St. Louis. They worked together again in 1945’s The Clock and 1948’s The Pirate after marrying in June 1945. Vincente was the one who pushed Judy to have a more sophisticated look and helped expose her to a new audience. While they welcomed Liza in 1946, soon the pressures Judy was under broke their marriage. She was fired from MGM and began to self-medicate her anxieties and depression with drugs, plus had an affair that ultimately led to their divorce.

(Original Caption) Judy Garland (1922-1969) is shown with her husband and daughter, Vincent Minnelli and Liza Minelli.

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Liza explained why she didn’t want them to reunite: “No, because they didn’t really like each other so it wasn’t fun to be around them.” However, Liza said that she has some amazing memories with each of them, as she split her childhood with each parent.

American actress and singer Liza Minnelli with her mother, American actress and singer Judy Garland (1922 - 1969), backstage after she opened in 'Flora the Red Menace' at the Alvin Theatre, New York, US, 11th May 1965

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Liza shared, “I bounced back and forth because they were divorced, but I loved them both so much. My mother was fascinating because she knew so many fascinating people who would come over. And my father used to let me go to the set and watch him direct.” She added that her mother was much more strict with her while her dad treated her like a princess. Both Vincente and Judy remarried three more times before their deaths.

Liza Minnelli performs at the Dramatists Guild Fund's 50th Anniversary Gala Honoring John Kander at Mandarin Oriental Hotel on June 3, 2012 in New York City

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Because of this, Liza grew up in a blended family. She has three younger siblings. Lorna and Joey Luft are her half siblings from Judy’s marriage to Sidney Luft. She also has a half sister named Tina from Vincente’s marriage to Georgette Magnani.

Singers Lorna Luft and Liza Minnelli perform during "The Actors Fund And Tower Cancer Research" benefit concert at Birdland Jazz Club on October 14, 2013 in New York City

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She said of her siblings, “I don’t think people understand what a close family we are. My sister, Lorna, and I get together and giggle. She has the family courage. I love each of my siblings. My brother, Joey, my sister, Tina. Her kids were here with me for a few days and the press did not find out. Ha!”