From the outside, Judy Garland seemed to have it all, starring in iconic movies like The Wizard of Oz, and adored by fans all over the world. But behind the glamour, her life was far from perfect. Struggles with addiction, mental health, and personal turmoil told a different, much darker story.
This Is Judy Garland
Judy Garland, born 1922, became one of Hollywood’s biggest stars. She started out in vaudeville and was signed by MGM when she was just 13. Judy also sang classics “Over the Rainbow,” and “Meet Me in St. Louis”. Needless to say, she was at the top of Hollywood in her heyday.
The Gumm Sisters
Judy’s music career started off in 1928, when she and her sisters joined a dance school and performed in a Christmas show with the Meglin Kiddies troupe. They made their film debut in 1929 and appeared in several short films. In 1934, after a performance in Chicago, they changed their name from “The Gumm Sisters” to “The Garland Sisters.” Judy later chose the name “Garland” after inspiration from a popular song and her talent.
The Ugly Duckling
In 1935, a 13-year-old Judy Garland was spotted by MGM after a chance performance at the Orpheum Theater. She was signed, but the studio had no idea what to do with her, she was too old for child roles, too young for adult ones. Despite her undeniable talent, Garland was called “the ugly duckling” by MGM and made to fit the “girl-next-door” image. Behind the glamorous facade, Judy’s self-doubt grew as the studio’s cruelty took its toll. Little did they know, this was just the beginning of a long, dark journey that would shape her future in unimaginable ways.
The Cost Of Stardom
Garland’s life at MGM was a nightmare. Amphetamines to stay awake, barbiturates to sleep, and a relentless schedule took their toll. The studio demanded she diet constantly, even serving her just chicken soup and coffee. Despite her success, Judy battled self-doubt and the addiction that followed.
Behind The Rainbow
In 1938, Garland landed the role of Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz. But getting the part was not easy. During filming, she was pushed to her limits, kept on a strict diet, and worked endlessly. Despite the film’s initial lack of profit, it would later become a classic, cementing Garland’s stardom. Yet, the price of fame was steep, and it would haunt her for years to come.
Forbidden Love
At just 19, it seemed like Judy was living the dream, married to musician David Rose and living in a beautiful Bel Air home. But behind the scenes, MGM disapproved of their relationship, fearing it would ruin her image. The pressure built, and at the insistence of her mother and the studio, Garland had an abortion while pregnant with Rose’s child. The fairytale life quickly shattered, leading to a trial separation and a divorce just three years later.
The Next Chapter
In “For Me and My Gal and Presenting Lily Mars”, the studio gave her a polished look, but it was all a facade. Despite the glitz, she was never happy with how she looked. Then, in ” Meet Me in St. Louis”, she finally became the leading lady—yet her personal life was in complete turmoil. A secret affair with Orson Welles ended abruptly, but soon, Garland’s world shifted once again when she married director Vincente Minnelli and had a daughter with him, forever changing her life—and the Hollywood dream.
A Mental Breakdown
The world watched as Judy Garland, the star of Hollywood’s brightest musicals, spiraled. After a breakdown during The Pirate, she attempted to take her own life, leaving the studio worried and the public in shock. Despite pulling herself together, the film flopped, and the pressure intensified. When Easter Parade made a fortune, MGM rushed her into another project with Fred Astaire, but the cost was too high. Pills, alcohol, and migraines kept her off set, and her suspension in 1948 marked a new chapter. Replaced by Ginger Rogers, Garland’s fate seemed uncertain.
Her Final Days At MGM
As Garland returned to work, her struggles were far from over. After regaining some strength, she got into “In the Good Old Summertime”, but the demons of her past were never far behind. When she was cast as Annie Oakley, her self-doubt and tension with director Busby Berkeley took a toll. Fired once again, she spiraled, turning to old habits. But there was one last chance, ”Summer Stock”. The film was a hit, but at what cost? Late nights, weight loss, and missed days led to an $80,000 loss. Just as the dust settled, MGM finally let her go.
Her Comeback
In 1951, Garland’s career seemed to be on the brink of collapse, dismissed by Hollywood as a has-been. But then, a four-month tour in Britain and Ireland changed everything. Her performances, filled with tributes to Al Jolson and vaudeville classics, ignited a revival. At the London Palladium, the applause was deafening—so much so that the manager claimed it was the loudest he’d ever heard.
New Beginnings
In 1952, Judy Garland closed one chapter with a divorce from Vincente Minnelli, only to leap into another, marrying Sidney Luft, her tour manager, just months later. By 1955, Garland was a mother of three, with Lorna and Joey Luft joining her eldest, Liza.
Her Restart In Hollywood
In 1954, Judy poured her soul into “A Star Is Born”, her grand comeback. With her husband Sidney Luft backing the project, it was her shot at proving Hollywood wrong. But as filming dragged on, old habits crept in, illness excuses, delays, tension. Jack Warner’s fury grew, while Judy’s perfectionism sparked clashes with director George Cukor. When Luft pushed for the iconic “Born in a Trunk” medley, it was a gamble that paid off, but at a price.
The Aftermath Of “A Star Is Born”
“A Star Is Born” premiered in 1954 to amazing reviews, but the studio’s cuts and financial miscalculations ruined Garland’s hopes for a secure future. Despite huge crowds and over $6 million in earnings, the film lost money, and Transcona’s partnership with Warner ended. Judy was nominated for an Oscar and expected to win, but after giving birth, she couldn’t attend the ceremony. Instead, Grace Kelly took home the award. Groucho Marx called it “the biggest robbery since Brinks.”
Miraculous Return
In November 1959, Garland’s world collapsed as she was diagnosed with acute hepatitis. Doctors told her she had only a few years to live and would likely never sing again. Strangely, she felt a strange relief, “The pressure was off me for the first time in my life.” But the story didn’t end there. Against all odds, she recovered and stunned everyone by returning to the stage at the Palladium.
The Judy Garland Show
In 1961, Garland and CBS finally settled their contract disputes, leading to “The Judy Garland Show” in 1962, with stars like Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. CBS was so impressed that they offered her a record-breaking $24 million for a weekly show. Despite her previous vow never to do a weekly series, Judy was drowning in debt, and this was her lifeline. Her show, praised by critics, debuted in 1963. But despite the accolades and Emmy nominations, it was doomed—canceled after just one season.
Lost Love
In 1963, while filming “The Judy Garland Show”, she began a secret, six-month affair with actor Glenn Ford. He would sit in the front row during her tapings, watching as she sang, and the connection seemed genuine. Ford, known for his many relationships, provided Garland with one of the most stable relationships of her later years. But just when Garland began dreaming of a future with him, Ford ended the affair, realizing she wanted more than just an affair—she wanted marriage.
Judy’s Final Divorce
In 1963, Garland finally had enough. She filed for divorce from Sidney Luft, mentioning all the mental cruelty and violence during his drunken rages. She claimed he even tried to take their children by force. Despite having filed for divorce multiple times before, this time felt different—Judy couldn’t go back.
All For Nothing
Garland’s 1964 Australian tour started strong with sold-out shows in Sydney, where the crowds were so huge, they had to move to the Sydney Stadium. But everything unraveled in Melbourne. Her performance was an hour late, and the audience, frustrated and thinking she was drunk, booed and heckled her. After just 45 minutes, she fled the stage. Garland later called the crowd “brutish,” but the damage was done. The press slammed her, and the once-mighty star faced a public humiliation that threatened to undo her hard-won comeback.
Garland’s Financial Crisis
By 1966, Judy Garland had completely cut off contact with both her ex-husband Sidney Luft and her new agents, Freddie Fields and David Begelman. The fallout was disastrous. Fields and Begelman had mismanaged her money and even embezzled from her, leaving Garland drowning in nearly $500,000 in debt. The IRS had liens on her home, her recording contract, and every business deal she had. What started as a fresh chapter in her career had spiraled into a financial nightmare.
Rock Bottom
In 1967, Garland found herself in a desperate place, selling her Brentwood home for far less than it was worth. Then came a glimmer of hope, she was cast in Valley of the Dolls. But it quickly turned sour. Director Mark Robson treated her poorly, and she was only hired for publicity.
Judy’s Last Stand
In July 1967, Judy Garland returned to the stage for a final U.S. appearance at New York’s Palace Theatre, performing 27 shows with her children, Lorna and Joey. She earned over $200,000 from her share of the profits. But just when it seemed like an amazing comeback, things went wrong. On closing night, federal tax agents seized most of her earnings.
The Beginning Of The End
By early 1969, Garland’s health was getting worse yet she still managed to perform in London for five weeks, earning £2,500 a week. Her final concert took place in Copenhagen in March 1969. Just days after finalizing her divorce from Mark Herron, Garland married her fifth and final husband, nightclub manager Mickey Deans. Despite her struggles, she pressed on, but with new challenges ahead.
Her Tragic End
On June 22, 1969, Judy Garland was found dead by her husband, Mickey Deans, in their London home at the age of 47. The cause of death was determined to be an accidental overdose of barbiturates her blood contained the equivalent of ten Seconal capsules. Coroner Gavin Thurston confirmed there was no evidence of suicide; Garland had been taking the pills over time, not in a single dose.
The Final Chapter
Despite having a successful acting career, Garland wasn’t able to leave much behind. While she earned millions, her estate was worth a mere $40,000 at her death. Her generosity to others and mismanagement by her team left her financially broken. At her funeral, 20,000 people gathered, yet she was buried with debts that could never be repaid. Years later, her children fought to honor her, eventually relocating her remains to Hollywood Forever Cemetery.