Judy Garland had a net worth of $60,000 at the time of her death. This figure is adjusted for today’s inflation. She was broke with house forfeited and debts piled up. Garland was also defrauded millions by her managers.
Judy Garland Net Worth 2024
| Net Worth at Death | $60,000 |
| Peak Net Worth | $10 Million |
| Annual Income | $12,000 |
| Salary Per Movie | $500,000 |
| Bank Balance | $600 |
How did Judy Garland Lose her wealth?
Exploitation and Mismanagement: From a young age, Garland was exploited by studio heads who cared more about money than her well-being. She was underpaid, overworked, and her earnings were often mismanaged by her advisors and husbands, leading to financial problems.
Substance Abuse: Garland’s addiction to drugs hurt her career and finances. Her unpredictable behavior caused her to miss performances and cancel shows, which reduced her income and risked future job opportunities.
Taxation Issues: Garland’s financial records were notoriously messy, leading to repeated audits and hefty tax bills. She paid hundreds of thousands of dollars in IRS penalties during her career. Compounded by mismanagement, these issues further eroded her net worth.
Lifestyle and Generosity: Garland’s extravagant lifestyle and generous nature also contributed to her financial woes. She has spent $250,000 to build houses for her family. She also showered friends and family with gifts, often neglecting her own financial security.
Judy Garland’s Salary
Judy Garland’s salary for The Wizard of Oz was surprisingly low compared to her male co-stars. While Ray Bolger and Jack Haley earned $3,000 per week, Garland was only paid $500 per week.
Adjusted for inflation, it would be equivalent to nearly $11,000 today, making it a respectable salary for a young actress at the time.
Judy Garland’s House
At the peak of her career, Garland lived in her expensive Hollywood Hills Mansion. In the later part of her career, her property was attached by the bankers after she failed to pay off the mortgage.
Judy Garland passed away on June 22, 1969, at her London residence, a fourth-floor apartment at 45 Curzon Street in Mayfair. This was a temporary home she had rented during a concert tour of the UK.
Financial difficulties and personal struggles led her to living arrangements that fluctuated in the years leading up to her death.
Who Inherited Judy Garland’s Money?
Unfortunately, Judy Garland’s financial situation at the time of her death in 1969 was quite dire. She had amassed significant debt due to mismanagement, legal troubles, and medical expenses, with a negative net worth.
This meant there wasn’t much of an estate to inherit. However, her two children, Liza Minnelli and Lorna Luft, received some valuable assets:
- Personal belongings: These included items like jewelry, clothing, and furniture.
- Residual income: This included royalties from her recordings and films, which continue to provide a steady stream of income for her family.
Cheating Husband
In 1952, Garland married producer Sid Luft for stability and family. They were married for 13 years and had two children, Lorna and Joey. But they later separated due to money problems, cheating, and Garland’s poor health.
FAQs
Judy Garland’s children, Liza Minnelli and Lorna Luft, have both carved out successful careers in entertainment, carrying on their mother’s legacy in their own unique ways.
Judy Garland tragically passed away on June 22, 1969, at the age of 47. The official cause of death was ruled as an accidental overdose of barbiturates.
Judy’s naturally gappy smile, a part of her early charm, was sometimes masked by Hollywood studios seeking a more “perfect” look. As she aged, dental work and life’s wear and tear took their toll.
Judy Garland’s first daughter, Liza Minnelli, was fathered by director Vincente Minnelli. Her two younger children, Lorna and Joey Luft, were fathered by producer Sid Luft.