Prepare to take a deep dive into the captivating life of one of Hollywood's most tragic figures.
Judy Garland's meteoric rise to fame as Dorothy in 'The Wizard of Oz' was just the start of
her tumultuous journey.
Despite her immense talent and adoration from fans around the world, her life was plagued
by struggles with addiction, relationships, and mental health.
Throughout this video, we'll explore the highs and lows of Judy's career and personal life,
exposing some of the most heartbreaking moments that she experienced.
Despite her iconic status, the real Judy Garland was often overlooked and underappreciated,
and many of her untold stories have been lost to time.
However, we're here to uncover the truth and shed light on the reality of Judy's life.
We'll take a closer look at her complex relationships, including her marriages and romances, as well
as her battles with substance abuse and mental illness.
We'll also delve into the impact that her fame had on her personal life, and how it
ultimately led to her untimely death.
Join us on this emotional journey as we explore the many triumphs and tragedies of Judy Garland's
life.
Get ready to be moved, inspired, and perhaps even shed a tear as we honor the memory of
one of Hollywood's brightest stars.
Factsverse Presents: 11 Tragic Stories About the Life of Judy Garland
1.
The Real Wicked Witch
Judy Garland's journey began in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, where she was born Francis Ethel
Gumm on the 10th of June, 1922.
However, her path was not an easy one, as she was born into the shadow of her overbearing
mother.
From the moment she was born, Judy's mother saw her merely as a means to an end, hoping
to turn her daughter into a star to fulfill her own unfulfilled dreams.
Despite the fact that Judy was her third child, her mother even considered aborting her, but
thankfully, her doctors convinced her otherwise.
At just two and a half years old, Judy was thrust onto the stage by her mother, who was
desperate to make her daughters famous.
She and her sisters formed an act that toured the vaudeville circuit, but the real goal
was always Hollywood.
The family eventually moved to Lancaster, California when Judy was four years old, with
her mother determined to keep them as close to the glitz and glamour of Hollywood as possible.
But as Judy would later recall, her mother's obsession with fame and success turned her
into the "real Wicked Witch of the West", casting a dark and oppressive shadow over
her formative years.
2.
Her Parents' Unhappy Marriage
Judy Garland's birth in 1922, was not a planned event.
As we already briefly mentioned, her mother, Ethel Milne, even considered aborting her,
but the illegal and risky nature of the operation prevented it from happening.
Judy had two older sisters, Mary Jane and Virginia, and the family moved from Grand
Rapids, Minnesota to California in 1926 due to rumors of Frank Gumm's affairs with young
men and teenage boys.
Despite the move, the Gumms' troubled marriage continued to be a source of anxiety for Judy.
However, it was in California that her career began to take off when she signed with MGM
in 1935, the very same year her dad passed away from meningitis.
Ethel remarried four years later, on the anniversary of Frank's death, which further strained her
relationship with Judy.
The actor's already difficult childhood was made even more challenging due to her mother's
remarriage and Judy's deep-seated resentment towards her new stepfather.
3.
Hooked From Childhood
Judy Garland's life in Hollywood was a relentless cycle of pressure and chemicals.
Since she was a little girl, her mom thrust her into the spotlight, and when she became
a star at MGM, Garland would spend six days a week, sometimes up to 72 hours at a time
on set.
To keep up with such an alarmingly demanding schedule, Hollywood studios fed their stars
"pep pills" followed by different pills to help them sleep.
Garland's addiction started early, and by the age of 17, she was already addicted to
multiple substances.
4.
She Was Bullied For Her Weight
Judy Garland not only suffered from childhood traumas but also dehumanizing comments about
her weight.
Upon signing with MGM in 1935, she was expected to appear in her first feature film at the
age of 14, titled "Pigskin Parade".
In order to ensure she was camera-ready, studio head Louis B. Mayer demanded that Garland
follow a strict diet of "chicken soup, black coffee, and cigarettes," along with appetite-reducing
pills.
Garland began to develop a negative self-image, referring to herself as "a fat little frightening
pig in pigtails," a self-image that may have been perpetuated by MGM.
Even the press criticized her weight, with the New York Post calling her "plump Judy
Garland."
Garland's constant struggle with food was what she remembered the most from her childhood.
Unfortunately, her body image issues persisted into adulthood, as recalled by her third husband,
Sid Luft, in his book "Judy and I." Garland never gave up her desire to be "camera slim,"
even if it meant resorting to shockingly dangerous means.
5.
Filming "Oz" Was a Nightmare
Judy Garland's role in "The Wizard of Oz" made her an iconic figure in pop culture,
but at a great cost.
According to some reports, during the filming of the movie, Garland was put on a strict
diet and became addicted to stimulants.
She was also once slapped by director Victor Fleming when she struggled through a scene.
However, Garland faced even bigger problems with sexual assault from higher-ups at MGM.
Studio head Louis B. Mayer was the worst offender.
Biographer Gerald Clarke told ABC News that Mayer would compliment Garland's singing while
placing his hand on her chest and saying, "This is where you sing from."
The abuse continued for four years until Garland finally stood up for herself, which apparently
made Mayer cry.
Garland later reflected that she was lucky it didn't involve singing with another part
of her anatomy.
6.
She Was Fired For Having A Breakdown
Judy Garland's childhood was not a typical one, as she was raised under the wing of MGM.
During the period from 1939 to 1948, Garland acted in 21 films while taking all those aforementioned
substances.
This routine had detrimental effects on the star's work, making it challenging for her
to get through her lines and musical numbers, and resulting in tardiness and absences from
set.
Additionally, it took a serious toll on her mental health.
While filming "The Pirate" in 1947, Garland had a nervous breakdown and had to be put
in a "private sanitarium."
As time passed, the star received electroshock therapy for depression.
By 1950, Garland's relationship with MGM was strained, leading to her suspension from filming
"Annie Get Your Gun."
This suspension led to further electroshock therapy, and a disgruntled Louis B. Mayer
complained about having millions tied up in her.
Ultimately, MGM fired Garland on June 17 of that year, following a few more on-set stumbles.
7.
She Struggled To Be a Good Mother
Judy Garland's troubled childhood made her prioritize her own children's well-being.
She had three children: Liza Minnelli, Lorna Luft, and Joey Luft.
Despite her best efforts, Garland struggled with her own personal demons, which continued
until her death in 1969.
Liza took on adult responsibilities at an early age and dealt with many of her mother's
problems.
Lorna and Joey also faced the challenges of their mother's financial struggles.
By 1967, they were broke, and Lorna recalled an incident where her mother threatened to
jump out of a hotel window due to unpaid bills.
All three children were powerless to help their mother's addiction, which obviously
resulted in a great deal of trauma for all of them.
8.
Her Love Life Was Hellish
Judy Garland's love life was plagued with instability, as none of her marriages seemed
to last.
She was married five times, with four of those ending in divorce, and her fifth cut tragically
short by her death.
At only 19, Garland eloped with David Rose, who was 31.
MGM disapproved, and the couple divorced in 1944 after a "secret abortion" and disagreements.
Garland's second husband, Vincent Minnelli, was approved by the studio and they married
in 1945, but they parted ways in 1949 due to her instability.
Her longest marriage was with Sid Luft, from 1952 to 1965, but they eventually separated
for similar reasons.
She had a brief marriage to Mark Herron in 1967, which ended in divorce in 1969, the
same year she married Mickey Deans.
However, her physical and mental ailments led to her death three months after the wedding.
9.
Judy's Hearbreaking History of Self Harm
It is understandable that Judy Garland's mental health suffered greatly due to her demanding
schedule and the severe mental trauma inflicted upon her by her mother and MGM.
Sadly, the star made numerous attempts at taking her own life.
Garland's first attempt was in 1947 while filming "The Pirate" with Gene Kelly.
This came after her first "nervous breakdown," which led to her being admitted to a mental
health institution.
Instead of providing Garland with the necessary help, her mother, Ethel Milne Gumm, merely
bandaged up her wounds and had her continue filming the musical.
Many more attempts followed, as recounted in her daughter Lorna Luft's candid biography,
"Me and My Shadows."
10.
Her Final Performances Were Hard To Watch
The latter stages of Judy Garland's life were far from the glamorous Hollywood ending one
might expect from such a legendary figure who left such a remarkable impact on the industry.
Unfortunately, the situation only continued to deteriorate.
In her memoir, "Me and My Shadows," Garland's daughter Lorna Luft recounted the financial
difficulties her mother faced, citing agents, the IRS, missed concerts, and "old debts"
as the reasons why Garland was completely broke.
However, despite facing eviction notices, Garland was so accustomed to a certain standard
of living that she "had no clue what things cost or how to keep a track of her finances."
She would even resort to dramatic stunts to escape desperate situations.
In 1968, a year before her death, Garland went on a series of concerts in London, England.
According to Time, the performances were hard to watch due to the star's slurred speech
and heckling of the audience.
Journalist Tony Palmer wrote in The Guardian that Garland had been emasculated by the "shoddy,
tarnished world that created her."
The situation was further described as "pathetic and lonely and dignified."
11.
Garland's Untimely Death
Regrettably, Judy Garland passed away at the age of 47 due to complications from her substance
abuse on June 26, 1969.
Her fifth husband, Mickey Deans, found her unconscious on the toilet with her hands holding
her head.
An autopsy was conducted, revealing that her death was due to substance-based "poisoning"
and that she had "cirrhosis of the liver," indicating that alcohol could have also caused
her death if not for the other chemicals that were in her bloodstream.
The coroner, Dr. Gavin Thurston, stated that it was an accidental occurrence related to
the fact that Garland had been using for a long time.
It's truly devastating to see a star like Judy Garland fall from grace in such a dramatic
and heart-wrenching way.
Did you know that she was fed substances to keep her working from childhood and that her
overbearing mother was the one who really insisted upon her entering the spotlight?
Let us know in comments.
And as always, thanks for watching!