Judy Garland: The Mother Behind The Legend

When you think of Judy Garland, you might picture the iconic singer, the larger-than-life movie star, or the tragic Hollywood legend. But to her family, she was so much more than that. To her devoted fans and the world at large, Judy Garland’s life was a rollercoaster of highs and lows. But to her children, she wasn’t just a star; she was a mom, and a very special one at that.

A Different Side of Judy Garland

Ask her middle child, Lorna Luft, now 68, and she’ll tell you, “Yes, she had tragedies in her life, but she wasn’t tragic.” Her youngest, Joey Luft, 66, agrees, reminiscing about the fun times they had together. “I remember having a lot of fun with her when we were alone,” Joey shares with a smile. For those who only know Judy Garland as the woman who lit up the screen, this glimpse into her personal life might come as a surprise.

Life Behind the Curtain

When the cameras stopped rolling and the spotlight dimmed, Judy Garland became someone else entirely. Away from the glitz and glamour, she was a devoted mother to Lorna, Joey, and her eldest, Liza Minnelli, now 75. Liza, who followed in her mother’s footsteps as an entertainer, has her own memories of growing up with Judy. “One of the biggest misconceptions about my mama is that she didn’t provide me with a happy childhood,” Liza says. “There were highs and lows, for sure, but I can say I was very happy.”

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From the very beginning, Liza loved spending time with her mother. She remembers Judy as “very funny” and “incredibly intelligent.” Even though their lifestyle was adventurous—living for a time in New York City’s Plaza Hotel—Judy was always protective and strict. And young Liza? She was just as protective of her mom. When Judy was feeling down, the 5-year-old would sense it and try to lift her spirits with tickles and laughter.

Growing Up with Judy

As Liza entered her teenage years, her bond with her mother only grew stronger. Being the child of two Hollywood A-listers—her father was the famed director Vincente Minnelli—Liza faced the challenges of constantly changing schools and finding it difficult to maintain friendships. But Judy was always there to fill that gap. “My fondest memory of my mama was the conversations we had,” the two-time Oscar winner shares. “As a teenager, I became her best friend and confidante. We would laugh and talk for hours.”

During those heartfelt conversations, Judy was patient, kind, and supportive. Liza recalls that “Mama got angry at [fans and press] for asking me questions about her,” but she never let that anger affect her relationship with her daughter. And when Liza decided to follow in Judy’s footsteps as an entertainer, her mother was nothing but encouraging. Judy even let Liza steal the spotlight as a frequent guest star on The Judy Garland Show.

The Duality of Judy Garland

Performing with her mother, Liza experienced firsthand the duality of Judy Garland’s life. “It was the strangest feeling,” Liza remembers. “One moment, I was on stage with my mother, the next moment, I was on stage with Judy Garland. One minute, she smiled at me, the next minute, she was like the lioness that owned the stage.”

But in private, Judy was always Mama. And while Liza was heartbroken by her sudden death in 1969 at the age of 46 from a barbiturate overdose, she still feels her mother’s calming presence today. “When I call on her, she’s there,” Liza shares. “And I call on her a lot.”