Judy Garland’s Family, Children, Relationships, and Friends: In-Depth Life Story

Judy Garland remains one of the most memorable figures in twentieth-century entertainment. Born into a family of performers, her relationships with both family and friends played important roles throughout her life. Her journey included deep connections, strong friendships, and many well-known struggles both on and off the screen.

Family and Upbringing

Judy Garland was born Frances Ethel Gumm on June 10, 1922, in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. Her parents, Frank and Ethel Gumm, were vaudeville performers. Judy grew up performing on stage alongside her two older sisters as part of the Gumm Sisters act.

Entertainment ran through her family. Her parents encouraged her career from a very young age. By age two and a half, Judy was already singing for audiences, making performing almost a family tradition.

Garland’s adult life saw her create a family of her own. She had three children: Liza Minnelli, Lorna Luft, and Joey Luft. Liza and Lorna followed her into music and acting, while Joey has worked in theater and television.

Judy Garland was married five times but was married to Mickey Deans at the time of her death in 1969. They met in 1966 at a restaurant in New York, where Deans delivered prescription medicine to her. They married in London in March 1969.

All three of her children were biological. Her family life was marked by many ups and downs, but her children remained a significant part of her later years.

Name	Relation	Birth Year
Frank Gumm	Father	1886
Ethel Gumm	Mother	1893
Liza Minnelli	Daughter	1946
Lorna Luft	Daughter	1952
Joey Luft	Son	1955
Mickey Deans	Husband	1934

Relationships and Romance

Judy Garland’s romantic life included several marriages and high-profile relationships. Her first husband was bandleader David Rose, whom she married in 1941. The marriage ended in divorce in 1944, strained by career pressures and family expectations.

She married director Vincente Minnelli in 1945 after meeting on the set of Meet Me in St. Louis. Their only child, Liza Minnelli, was born the following year. The couple separated in 1949 and divorced in 1951.

Sidney Luft, a producer, married Garland in 1952. During their marriage, their two children, Lorna and Joey, were born. Their partnership ended after ongoing personal challenges, and they divorced in 1965.

Her fourth husband was actor Mark Herron. Their brief and turbulent relationship began in 1965, but they separated within months and divorced in 1967.

Garland’s fifth husband, Mickey Deans, was her only surviving spouse at the time of her death.

Name	Relationship Type	Time Period
David Rose	Ex-Husband	1941–1944
Vincente Minnelli	Ex-Husband	1945–1951
Sidney Luft	Ex-Husband	1952–1965
Mark Herron	Ex-Husband	1965–1967

Friends and Companions

Judy Garland valued her circle of friends, many of whom she met while working in entertainment. One of her closest friends was Mickey Rooney, her frequent co-star from her MGM years. Their friendship began when they were teenagers working on films together.

Another good friend was Frank Sinatra. They bonded through their shared love of music and understanding of the pressures faced by performers. Both supported each other during career and personal struggles.

Garland also shared a lasting friendship with Katharine Hepburn, whom she met in Hollywood. Hepburn often offered her advice and comfort during tough times. While some friendships faded due to circumstance or time, many lasted for years.

Name	Known Since	Profession
Mickey Rooney	1930s	Actor
Frank Sinatra	1940s	Singer/Actor
Katharine Hepburn	1950s	Actor