Sophia Michaels
This article contains sensitive themes such as addiction, suicide, and domestic abuse.
Judy Garland’s reality was vastly different from the glamorous image presented in Hollywood. The star of “The Wizard of Oz” faced serious challenges that originated in her youth. Her mother’s choice to give her stimulants so she could meet the demands of the film industry led to a cycle of dependence on both stimulants and sleeping pills. By her teen years, Garland was battling a serious addiction, which only intensified due to the personal tragedies in her relationships.
Garland went through five marriages that were fraught with trauma, including coerced abortions, infidelity, and abusive behaviors. Just after marrying David Rose at 19, Garland was pressured into terminating her pregnancy to protect her “virginal” image. Later, during her marriage to Sid Luft, she was again forced to have an abortion, having encountered infidelity from her previous husband, Vincente Minnelli, which led her to attempt suicide.
As Garland battled addiction and abuse throughout her strategic marriage to Luft, she ultimately discovered that her relationships highlighted the turmoil of her public life. Her subsequent marriages were marked by more heartbreak, with each partner, including Mickey Deans, further complicating her attempts to find sincere love.
David Rose pressured Judy Garland into an abortion
Garland’s first marriage came shortly after she became an overnight sensation. At just 19, she married David Rose, a composer 12 years her senior, in 1941. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer disapproved of her marriage, believing it tarnished her innocent image. When Garland found herself pregnant, this concern amplified. Jane Ellen Wayne highlighted in “The Golden Girls of MGM” that protecting the MGM girl’s image was paramount.
With Garland and Rose experiencing marital issues, MGM leveraged influence to persuade her to terminate the pregnancy. This decision took a severe toll on her mental health as their relationship crumbled. Garland conveyed to a friend that she felt something significant was lost in the aftermath. Their marriage ended in divorce by 1944.
Judy Garland’s suicide attempt during her marriage to Vincente Minnelli
Garland quickly moved on from her first marriage. In June 1945, she wed director Vincente Minnelli, a romance kindled during the filming of “Meet Me in St. Louis.” Nine months later, they welcomed their daughter, Liza Minnelli. However, Garland soon grew resentful of Minnelli, feeling he wasn’t contributing to her career advancement.
As their marriage unfolded, differences emerged, leading to an affair that further strained their bond. In 1947, Garland confronted Minnelli in infidelity with another man involved in their film. This betrayal deepened Garland’s emotional turmoil, illustrating the grave reality of her personal struggles against the backdrop of her public success.
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Judy Garland’s tumultuous life and complex relationships unfolded dramatically, particularly in her marriage to Sid Luft. During a challenging period, she faced a shocking revelation about her husband that proved more distressing than his infidelity. This triggered Garland’s mental health crisis, leading to her first suicide attempt, which was fortunately averted by Luft. Despite ongoing struggles with her mental health and dependency on substances, her marriage to Luft crumbled amidst accusations of abuse and Garland’s deepening despair.
In 1951, Garland unexpectedly found herself pregnant with Luft, which led to significant stress since both were committed to other partners. Luft’s reaction was one of blame, believing Garland was irresponsible, which prompted her to terminate the pregnancy secretly. The couple married the following year, welcomed their daughter Lorna after another pregnancy, but Garland’s mental health issues, aggravated by medication, contributed to their relationship’s deterioration. Luft attempted to control her addiction but ultimately enabled it, leading to accusations of physical abuse during their divorce in 1965, after which Garland alleged that he struck her frequently. Their marriage, filled with turmoil, ended after 13 years.
Challenges in Garland’s relationship with Mark Herron
Garland’s subsequent marriage to Mark Herron began before her divorce from Luft was finalized. They held a wedding ceremony in June 1964 off the coast of Hong Kong, which was later deemed non-legally binding. Despite this, Garland expressed her belief in its legitimacy. A year later, in November 1965, they married properly in Las Vegas. Unfortunately, Herron’s infidelity, including an affair with Liza Minnelli’s then-husband, created significant strain on their relationship. Just five months post-wedding, they separated, resulting in serious accusations of physical abuse on both sides during their divorce proceedings.
The troubled finale of Judy Garland’s love story with Mickey Deans
After her split from Herron, Garland met Mickey Deans, a jazz musician, in 1967. Their introduction was unconventional; he impersonated a doctor to gain entry to her hotel room. This deceptive first encounter marked the beginning of a chaotic relationship. Deans eventually pressured Garland to perform despite her deteriorating health, which raised ethical concerns given her fragile state. The pressures of her career and personal struggles continued to shape Garland’s life, leading to ongoing challenges rather than resolution.
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Judy Garland’s Troubling Relationship with Mickey Deans
Two years after their relationship began, Judy Garland married Mickey Deans. Although he appeared to be a caring husband in public, those close to Garland recognized that his devotion was largely an illusion.
Lorna Smith, who assisted Garland in her later years, alleged that Deans frequently exploited the singer. Despite Garland being in her 40s, her health had deteriorated due to years of addiction and the exploitation prevalent in old Hollywood. Reports suggest that Deans disregarded her well-being, pressuring her to perform at Talk of the Town even when doctors advised against it. Friends often witnessed her performing while suffering from high fevers.
One friend expressed concern, stating, “She is ill and she is being forced onto that stage tonight!” This was recounted by Smith in her book, “Judy, with Love” (as cited by HuffPost). Garland’s daughter, Lorna Luft, was particularly appalled when she discovered Deans was negotiating a book deal on the day of her mother’s funeral. Deans released “Weep No More My Lady” three years following Garland’s mysterious passing in 1969, just a few months after their marriage. Luft later commented, “Needless to say, I didn’t buy a copy. Mickey Deans. What a putz,” in her memoir “Me and My Shadows: A Family Memoir” (via The Wrap).
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, suicidal thoughts, or domestic abuse, please reach out to the appropriate resources listed below:
- Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
- Contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by dialing 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
- For help with domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−7233 or find more resources at their website.
