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Judy Garland’s Spouses: A Look at the 5 Marriages and Husbands of the Hollywood Legend
Judy Garland’s voice captivated millions, but behind the timeless music and unforgettable performances was a woman searching endlessly for lasting love. While audiences remember her as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz or for her stirring performance in A Star Is Born, Garland’s off-screen story was filled with emotional turbulence, struggles with addiction, and a lifelong search for lasting love.
Throughout her 47 years, she married five times, each relationship significantly shaping her life and legacy. From whirlwind romances to troubled unions, each of Judy Garland’s spouses brought a different story to her life, sometimes nurturing her career and other times contributing to her downward spiral. Here’s everything to know about Judy Garland’s spouse, all about the men who married one of Hollywood’s brightest — and most tragic — stars.
Who was Judy Garland’s first husband, David Rose?
Judy Garland and David Rose in 1941.
Source: Getty Images
In 1941, at just 19 years old, Garland defied both her mother and MGM studio executives when she secretly married British-born composer and bandleader David Rose in Las Vegas. Rose, 12 years her senior and already divorced from actress Martha Raye, had worked with Garland on her music recordings, and their shared passion for music brought them together.
The union shocked many, as Garland was still celebrated as MGM’s wholesome teen star. Concerned about damaging her career image, the studio pressured Garland into keeping a low profile during their marriage. Tensions escalated when Rose and Garland’s mother reportedly convinced her to have a secret abortion to protect her career.
Despite their musical bond, the pair were mismatched in lifestyle, while Rose preferred a quiet, serene atmosphere, Garland loved lively gatherings. The marriage ended in 1944, and Rose went on to win multiple Emmy Awards and earn Oscar nominations for his work in television and film music.
What brought Garland and Vincente Minnelli together on set?
Vincente Minnelli and Judy Garland.
Source: Bettmann
Just a year after divorcing Rose, Garland met director Vincente Minnelli on the set of Meet Me in St. Louis (1944), a role that became a turning point in her career. Initially hesitant to take the part and clashing with Minnelli during early filming, Garland eventually found a mentor and partner in him.
Minnelli helped transform Garland’s on-screen image, steering her away from the “girl-next-door” roles and introducing a more mature, glamorous look. The professional relationship blossomed into romance, and they married in June 1945, with MGM co-founder Louis B. Mayer walking her down the aisle.
Their daughter, Liza Minnelli, who would later become an award-winning performer, was born in March 1946. However, Garland’s battle with depression and drug dependency intensified after childbirth, leading to a nervous breakdown and frequent hospitalisations. Minnelli’s own rumoured affairs with men further strained the marriage.
The couple separated in 1949 and finalised their divorce in 1951. Despite their tumultuous relationship, Minnelli’s direction and influence on Garland’s career left a lasting impact, and their daughter became one of the most enduring connections between them.
Why was Sid Luft Garland’s longest marriage?
Sidney Luft and Judy Garland in 1953.
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Producer and businessman Sid Luft entered Garland’s life during a particularly low point. After a suicide attempt and being dropped by MGM, Garland found a protector and manager in Luft, who believed in her talent and orchestrated her comeback.
They married in 1952 and welcomed their daughter, Lorna Luft, that same year, followed by their son, Joey Luft, in 1955. Luft was instrumental in securing Garland’s role in A Star Is Born (1954), which earned her an Academy Award nomination and revived her career.
For 13 years, Luft stood by Garland through tours, concerts, and the challenges of Hollywood. However, their marriage was far from idyllic. Garland’s dependency on pills and alcohol, combined with intense public pressure, caused repeated breakdowns in their relationship.
By 1962, they were largely living apart under the same roof. Garland accused Luft of physical abuse during their divorce proceedings in 1965, claiming he had struck her multiple times. Luft denied these allegations, but the marriage ultimately collapsed. Despite their bitter split, Luft chronicled their life together in his memoir Judy and I, published after his death in 2005.
What happened during Garland’s short marriage to Mark Herron?
Mark Herron and Judy Garland in 1964.
Source: Terry Disney / Stringer/Getty
Garland married actor and tour manager Mark Herron in November 1965, just months after finalising her divorce from Luft. Herron had worked as her promoter during a successful run of concerts in London and Canada, and their whirlwind romance quickly escalated to marriage.
However, the marriage lasted only five months before they separated. Garland alleged that Herron was physically abusive, while Herron claimed he had acted in self-defence. The divorce was finalised in 1967.
Following their separation, Herron entered a long-term relationship with actor Henry Brandon that lasted until Brandon’s death in 1990. Herron himself passed away in 1996.
Who was Mickey Deans, Garland’s final husband?
Mickey Deans and Judy Garland after their wedding at Chelsea Register Office in London in March 1969.
Source: Central Press/Getty Images
Garland met musician and nightclub owner Mickey Deans in the late 1960s under unusual circumstances—he delivered stimulant pills to her New York hotel room while posing as a doctor. Despite the unconventional introduction, they began an on-and-off relationship that culminated in marriage in March 1969.
Deans was 12 years younger than Garland, and friends and family reportedly saw him as ill-suited to care for her fragile state. Garland, struggling with debts and deteriorating health, continued to perform but was physically weakened by years of substance abuse.
Just three months into their marriage, on June 22, 1969, Garland died from an accidental barbiturate overdose in their rented London home. She was 47 years old. Deans wrote a memoir, Weep No More, My Lady, detailing their relationship, though Garland’s daughter Lorna later described him as “the most unsuitable person to take care of” her mother.
Deans never remarried and spent his later years in Cleveland, Ohio, focusing on historic building renovations and organising police fundraising events until he died in 2003.
How Judy Garland’s marriages shape her life
Each of Garland’s five spouses played a unique role in her tumultuous journey. David Rose introduced her to adult relationships but highlighted Hollywood’s controlling grip over young stars. Vincente Minnelli helped reinvent her image and brought Liza Minnelli into the world. Sid Luft managed her greatest comeback but also shared in her darkest battles. Mark Herron offered fleeting companionship during unstable times, while Mickey Deans was by her side during her final, tragic chapter.
How did Judy Garland’s marriages impact her children?
Garland’s five marriages left emotional ripples not just in her life, but in the lives of her children: Liza Minnelli, Lorna Luft, and Joey Luft. Each child would later recount their memories of growing up with a mother whose public success was in stark contrast to her private battles.
While Liza carved out a major career in entertainment, Lorna and Joey lived more private lives, with Lorna also reflecting on her mother’s struggles in her memoir. Despite Garland’s chaotic romantic life, her children have worked to preserve and celebrate her legacy as one of the most iconic talents in American history.
FAQs
How many times was Judy Garland married? Judy Garland was married five times throughout her life.
Who was Judy Garland’s longest marriage to? Her longest marriage was to Sid Luft, lasting from 1952 to 1965.
How many children did Judy Garland have? Garland had three children: Liza Minnelli (with Vincente Minnelli), Lorna Luft, and Joey Luft (both with Sid Luft).
Did Judy Garland’s spouses influence her career? Yes. Vincente Minnelli helped shape her screen persona, and Sid Luft managed her comeback with A Star Is Born.
Who was Judy Garland’s last husband? Mickey Deans was Garland’s fifth and final husband, whom she married three months before she died in 1969.
