Liza Minnelli Reflects On Her Parents' Complicated Relationship

Iconic entertainer Liza Minnelli recently opened up about her parents, the legendary Judy Garland and filmmaker Vincente Minnelli, in a candid conversation with Michael Feinstein for Interview Magazine. At 78 years old, Liza shared her reflections on the glamorous highs and challenging lows of growing up with two of Hollywood's most celebrated figures.

A Childhood Split Between Two Legends

In a heartfelt discussion, Liza described her parents' contrasting impacts on her life. "The most glamorous part of my childhood was my father," she said with a chuckle, "and the most challenging was my mother." As a child, Liza lived between two worlds after her parents' divorce in 1951. Despite the separation, she cherished her time with both of them. "I bounced back and forth because they were divorced, but I loved them both so much," she reminisced. Her mother's world was filled with fascinating people who would visit their home, while her father allowed her to experience the magic of filmmaking firsthand. "My father would let me go to the set and watch him direct. I’d spend hours in the dance room where they choreographed scenes, learning from the best—people like Cyd Charisse and Gene Kelly. Those were magical moments for me."

The Divorce She Barely Recalls

Though her parents' marriage ended in 1951, Liza admitted she doesn’t have clear memories of the divorce itself. "No, not really. I don’t even remember how old I was," she confessed. "But you can look it up if you’re curious." While the specifics may be hazy, Liza was clear about one thing: her childhood wasn’t defined by longing for her parents to reunite. "They didn’t really like each other, so it wasn’t fun to be around them when they were together," she revealed. Instead, she focused on the unique gifts each parent brought into her life.

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Costumes, Creativity, and Love from Her Father

Liza fondly recalled how her father infused her childhood with creativity and wonder. "My father knew me so well," she said. "He knew exactly what to bring me and what I would adore." Each Christmas, Vincente designed elaborate costumes for her, inspired by his work at Radio City Music Hall. "I remember getting five costumes every Christmas—a ballerina, or the costume from 'Shall We Dance' from The King and I. One year, I even got a costume of a green bug with a little hat and antennae on top. It was enchanting!" These thoughtful gifts weren’t just clothes; they were tokens of love and imagination. "With those costumes, he put magic and romance into my life," she said with a smile.

Despite her deep affection for her father, Liza acknowledged that her relationship with her mother was more complex. "My mom was strict," she explained, "and it depended on her mood or whether she was working too hard and feeling overwhelmed. Sometimes, she didn’t like who she was married to at the time." However, Liza’s bond with her father remained unwavering. "He treated me like a princess," she reflected. "He was enchanted by the little girl he had created. He worked all week and then took me to the movies on Saturdays. I was always at his house."

A Legacy of Love and Laughter

Even with the challenges of her upbringing, Liza’s love for her mother never wavered. After Judy remarried and had two more children, Lorna and Joey Luft, Liza found new freedom in her role as an older sister. "Mama was interested in a different way because she was very detail-oriented, like most mothers," Liza said. "When Lorna and Joey arrived, I became freer. Everyone took care of them because they were nine and seven years younger than I was, so I got to spend more time with my dad. But I loved my mom. She was funny." Tragically, Judy passed away at the age of 47 in 1969 from an accidental barbiturate overdose, and Vincente followed in 1986 after battling emphysema and pneumonia. Their legacies live on through Liza, who continues to inspire audiences worldwide.