The Vibrant Life and Career of Judy Garland: 55 Years After Her Tragic Death at Just 47 Years Old

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The world loved Judy Garland, who died in 1969, as Dorothy in the big screen movie classic The Wizard of Oz, and other legendary films. Those include the Andy Hardy franchise, Meet Me in St. Louis, Easter Parade, A Star Is Born, and more. But her life behind the scenes was littered with troubles and anguish. This is her story.

A Closer Look

Judy Garland was born Frances Ethel Gumm on June 10, 1922, in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. Garland, the daughter of vaudeville professionals.

Though she struggled with personal issues, Garland soon became a movie musical sensation with films like Pigskin Parade, Love Finds Andy Hardy, co-starring her dear pal Mickey Rooney.

At just 19 years old, Garland wed bandleader David Rose, a union that did not last.

In 1944, on the set of Meet Me in St. Louis (1944), Garland met director Vincent Minnelli. One year later, she Rose and married Minnelli and, in 1946, the couple gave birth to a daughter: Liza Minelli.

Sadly, Garland and Rose separated in 1949 and officially divorced in 1952. That same year she married Sidney Luft; the two had a daughter named Lorna, and in 1965, they divorced.

She was then wed to Mark Herron from 1965 to 1969. In that latter year, Garland traveled to London and was by then faced several personal and economic issues. During performances at London’s Talk of the Town nightclub, she delivered an erratic performance.

In the End…

In March of 1969, Judy Garland married a fifth time; to former bandleader and club manager Mickey Deans.

A short time later, on June 22, 1969, Garland died in London of what was reported to be an accidental drug overdose. She was only 47 years old.