Liza Minnelli: The Life, Career, And Legacy Of A True Hollywood Icon

So, How Much Is Liza Minnelli Worth Anyway?

Let’s talk about Liza Minnelli, the one and only. Born into the world of entertainment, she's an American actress, singer, and dancer with a net worth of $20 million. She's probably best known for her unforgettable role in the 1972 film "Cabaret," where she absolutely crushed it and walked away with an Academy Award. But let me tell you, her talents don't stop there. Liza is a force on stage, having starred in some of the biggest musical productions in history. She started in theater but quickly expanded her range, taking on a variety of roles in both film and television. And oh yeah, she’s also an incredible singer who's released multiple successful albums. But you might already know that she's the daughter of the legendary Judy Garland, which adds another layer to her story.

Her Start: Growing Up in Showbiz

Now, let's rewind to the beginning. Liza May Minnelli was born on March 12, 1946, in Los Angeles, California. She didn’t just stumble into the world of entertainment—her mom was the late Judy Garland, and her dad was the renowned stage and film director Vicente Minnelli. Talk about star power in the family! Liza was raised alongside her half-siblings, Joey and Lorna Luft. Her showbiz career began early—like at three years old early—when she appeared alongside her mom in "In the Good Old Summertime." Can you even imagine? By the time she was 15, Liza had already made the move to New York City to attend high school, setting the stage for her incredible career to come.

Judy Garland's Legacy and Financial Struggles

It's no secret that Liza's mom, Judy Garland, faced some tough times toward the end of her life. Despite earning millions during her career, Judy encountered significant financial hardship due to mismanagement, embezzlement by agents, and her own generous spending habits. At one point, she owed the IRS half a million dollars, which is equivalent to around $4 million today. The government placed a tax lien on her Brentwood home and even seized much of her income, including royalties and performance fees. Judy was eventually forced to sell her home at a loss and spent her final years living in hotels, often leaving behind unpaid bills.

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Even in 1967, when Judy earned over $200,000 from a successful run at New York's Palace Theater, most of the money was snatched up by the IRS. After her passing, Liza stepped up to help settle her mom’s estate. She raised funds to cover outstanding debts, and over 500 of Judy's personal items were auctioned off, bringing in a quarter of a million dollars. Legendary singer Frank Sinatra even pitched in to help clear what was owed. Thanks to Liza's efforts, Judy's legacy was preserved without the shadow of financial turmoil hanging over it.

Her Career: From Broadway to the Big Screen

Liza's first professional acting role came when she was just 17 years old in the off-Broadway musical "Best Foot Forward." The very next year, she performed alongside her mom at the London Palladium, marking a truly special moment in her career. By the time she was 19, she landed a leading role in the Broadway musical "Flora the Red Menace," and guess what? She won a Tony Award for it. Talk about starting off strong!

While her acting career was taking off, Liza also nurtured her singing career. At 19, she began performing at nightclubs across the country. In the '60s, she recorded a string of albums, and she kept the momentum going in the '70s. In 1989, she teamed up with the Pet Shop Boys to record the album "Results," which charted well. She even earned several Grammy nominations during this period. Fast forward to 2010, and she released "Confessions," proving that her talent hasn’t skipped a beat.

Her film career also kicked off in the '60s, and her first credited role was in "Charlie Bubbles" in 1967. Two years later, she starred in "The Sterile Cuckoo," playing a nerdy teenager, which earned her an Academy Award nomination. In 1970, she played another memorable character in "Tell Me That You Love Me, Junie Moon." But her real film breakthrough came in 1972 with "Cabaret." Playing Sally Bowles, she delivered the performance of a lifetime and walked away with the Academy Award for Best Actress. Awards followed like rain after that.

After "Cabaret," Liza hit a rough patch with her next three films—"Lucky Lady," "New York, New York," and "A Matter of Time"—which didn’t perform well at the box office. But hey, "New York, New York" gave us her signature song, so it wasn’t all bad. She bounced back in 1981 with "Arthur," and while she appeared in fewer films after that, she continued to shine in TV roles. She appeared in shows like "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" and "Drop Dead Diva," and had a recurring role as Lucille Austero on the hit sitcom "Arrested Development." Outside of TV and film, Liza kept gracing Broadway stages, proving that she’s a true triple threat.

Her Love Life: Four Marriages and Countless Stories

When it comes to love, Liza’s had her fair share of ups and downs. She’s been married four times, and all of them ended in divorce. Her first marriage was to Peter Allen, the famous Australian entertainer, in 1967. The marriage ended in 1974 when Liza discovered that Allen was gay. Later that same year, she married Jack Haley Jr., whose dad played the Tin Man in "The Wizard of Oz." That marriage ended in 1979.

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Next up, she married sculptor Mark Gero, and that relationship lasted until 1992. In 2002, she tied the knot with concert promoter David Gest, but that marriage only lasted a year. After they split, Gest claimed he suffered domestic abuse when Liza got drunk and angry. Over the years, she’s also dated big names like Peter Sellers and Martin Scorsese. Love can be complicated, right?

Facing Her Struggles: Substance Abuse

Let’s not sugarcoat it—Liza’s had her share of struggles with substance abuse. During the '70s, she was hanging out with the likes of Andy Warhol and Bianca Jagger, and let’s just say the party scene in New York City was wild. Liza was indulging in a lot of recreational drugs during that time. After her mom passed away, she became addicted to Valium, which led to a long battle with prescription drug abuse. And alcoholism was another hurdle she faced. In 1984, she checked into the Betty Ford Clinic, a treatment center specializing in substance abuse. It’s a tough road, but she’s worked hard to overcome these challenges.

Her Real Estate Adventures

In 2015, Liza sold her condo in New York City for just over $8.372 million. The apartment was located in the Imperial House complex on East 69th Street in Manhattan—a seriously luxurious spot. She had owned the property for decades, and back in 1981, it was even featured in "Architectural Digest." The magazine showcased how Liza had hired interior designer Timothy Macdonald to decorate the place. They also highlighted her impressive collection of Andy Warhol artwork. The apartment wasn’t seen again for years, but it was assumed to still feature its stunning white marble entrance gallery when it was finally sold.