Liza Minnelli's friends reveal her greatest disappointment as they share her adoration for their children
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: A recent documentary on the life of Hollywood legend Liza Minnelli has revealed her greatest disappointment is not having children of her own, People reported on Sunday, January 26.
The Academy Award-winning singer-actress who overcame the challenge of stepping out of the shadow of her iconic mother, Judy Garland, has enjoyed a long illustrious career. However, the legacy she leaves behind as a professional has not been able to fill the personal need of the 78-year-old.
Titled 'Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story', the documentary shows Minnelli in an old interview with Geraldo Rivera saying, "I desperately want a family. I really want a family." The film premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in June 2024.
Liza Minnelli's old friend shared her unfulfilled wish
Allan Lazare was a close friend of Minnelli for more than 50 years before his death in February 2024. He was interviewed for the documentary with his wife Arlene, where he stated, "We have been with Liza through all her emotional setbacks, like miscarriages."
According to People, Minnelli has been married and divorced four times, and suffered through multiple pregnancy losses, as documented in the film.
"If she had to pick one thing that she’s disappointed in her life and that’s not being a mother," Lazare continued. "She would have been a great mother. She has so much to give. She’s been so wonderful with our children."
He went on to describe the bond Minnelli formed with his daughter with Arlene, saying, "We have a picture when our daughter was 3 years old around a Christmas tree (with) Liza hugging her and then 35 years later, when our daughter had a 3-year-old, we have a picture around that same Christmas tree.”
“She taught our daughter when she was 6 years old how to sing (Minnelli's signature song) ‘Liza with a Z,’" shared Arlene. "Our daughter was so proud to sing it, and she sang it all over the place for everybody.”
Lazare later added, "She would have made an incredible mother, and life wasn’t perfect. But she moved on, and she’s become part of our family. I think that’s part of our attraction for her. We’ve kept this bond with sort of a family she didn’t have.”
Liza Minnelli's role as godmother to her friend's children
Other close friends of Minnelli such as actress Mia Farrow and musician Michael Feinstein spoke of the bonds she created as a godmother in the documentary.
"She’s godmother to my twins, who are 50 now, and she’s never missed a birthday, anything," stated Farrow, 79.
Feinstein, 68, explained how being associated with children provided Minnelli some comfort.
"Even though she wasn’t able to have children of her own, she seems to have created her own family through all the children who came into her life and all the godchildren," he noted.
