It’s been nearly 50 years since the legendary Judy Garland passed away, and her three children — Liza Minnelli, Lorna Luft, and Joey Luft — are sharing their heartfelt memories of growing up with the Hollywood star. In an exclusive interview with Closer Weekly, they reflect on the highs and lows of life with one of the most celebrated actresses in history.
For Liza Minnelli, now 71, life with Judy Garland felt like stepping into a dream. "It was like living in a magical land," she recalls. Liza's father was Judy's second husband, Vincente Minnelli, and she remembers her mom as someone who radiated brilliance. "She was truly amazing," Joey, 62, adds, reflecting on his mother's love for her kids. "She adored all of us so deeply."
Lorna Luft, now 64, sums up the essence of their family life with Judy: "As long as Mama was there, everything felt like it would be okay." Despite the challenges, the bond between mother and children remained unshakable.
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While the trio enjoyed the extraordinary perks of growing up in the shadow of a star, they also faced significant struggles. One of the hardest battles was dealing with their mother's prescription drug addiction. This part of Judy’s life cast a shadow over the family, testing their resilience and love.
Judy with her three children in 1964. (Photo Credit: Getty Images)
Joey Luft opens up about the difficulties of understanding his mother's addiction. "There were moments when my mom just didn’t seem like herself, and I’d ask my dad, Sid Luft, 'Is she sick?' He explained it all to me, but as a child, it was incredibly tough to process. I felt powerless. She was an incredible person, but her addiction loomed large," Joey shares candidly.
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Liza describes the emotional extremes her mother experienced. "When she was happy, she wasn’t just happy — she was ecstatic. And when she was sad, it was deeper than anyone else’s sadness. There was no middle ground," she explains. "I grew up with her explosive tantrums and overwhelming displays of affection. We either had rivers of money or none at all, and I’d see her constantly or not at all for weeks."
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After Judy and Sid Luft’s divorce in 1965, the responsibility of caring for her shifted to her children. "To my mom, taking care of her was part of loving her. Dad would miss us, but he’d be okay. My mother, however, couldn’t get along without us," Lorna reflects on the challenging transition.
In June 1969, tragedy struck when Judy’s fifth husband, Mickey Deans, found her dead in their London home from an accidental drug overdose. She was only 47 years old. Liza poignantly recalls, "I think she was simply exhausted, like a flower that blooms beautifully and brings joy to the world but eventually wilts away. She lived multiple lives in one, and yet, I thought she’d outlive all of us."
