What's up with Liza Minnelli's health? Update on her life and well-being

Liza May Minnelli is a famous American dancer, singer, and choreographer. She is among a handful of entertainers to have received a Grammy (Grammy Legend Award), Oscar, Emmy, and Tony (EGOT) awards. Besides her success, the actress has been struggling with health challenges for a long time, with fans worried about her well-being. Here is the latest on Liza Minnelli's health.

Key takeaways

• Liza Minnelli commenced her profession in 1961 when she sang in the Flower Drum song chorus and performed the Muriel section in Take Me Along.
• She made her theatrical debut at 17 in an Off-Broadway rallying of the musical Best Foot Forward in 1963, for which she earned a Theatre World Award.
• Liza Minnelli's health has deteriorated over time because of substance abuse, back injuries, and viral encephalitis.

Profile summary

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What's up with Liza Minnelli's health?

Liza Minnelli is one of the most skilled entertainers alive today. She is an actress, singer, dancer, and choreographer.

Her well-being has always left many of her fans worried because her health decline has been notable. Liza has struggled with addiction, bone fractures, hiatal hernia disease, and viral encephalitis.

What medical condition does Liza Minnelli have?

Minnelli has struggled with multiple health conditions, including substance addiction, bone fractures, hiatal hernia disease, and viral encephalitis. Below is a look at these conditions.

Addiction battles

Minnelli has long struggled with alcoholism and drug addiction, which began with a Valium prescription after her mum passed away. Andy Warhol discovered her use of illicit substances in the 1970s in a 1978 diary entry, recalling Minnelli at Halston's residence and urging the host to "Give me every drug you've got."

During the late 1970s, Minnelli, Andy Warhol, and Bianca Jagger were regular at New York City nightclubs such as Studio 54. She has been to rehab five times for substance abuse since 1992 and is a member of Alcoholics Anonymous. Her most recent session was in 2015, but she has remained sober since then.

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Bone fractures

Liza has had numerous physical issues, with her initial health crisis in 1997. She endured polyps on her vocal cords, which prevented her from singing for 18 months.

Liza's body has also suffered due to dancing. She has had two hip and one knee cap replacements. After collapsing on stage in 2007, the famous American actress had her jawbone reconfigured.

In 2013, the famous actress broke both of her wrists. She fractured her lower back the subsequent year when one of her dogs hopped on her. During the incident, the entertainer fell into an odd position and squashed her vertebrae, necessitating surgery.

Hiatal hernia disease

Liza has been in four marriages but has no living biological children. She became pregnant with her third spouse, sculptor and stage manager Mark Gero, in 1981 but miscarried.

Throughout her four marriages, the celebrity actress and singer suffered three miscarriages. She developed a hiatal hernia due to medical processes to save one of her babies.

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The renowned singer has stated that the hernia bothers her and can sometimes be painful when she ingests or sings in a particular way.

Viral encephalitis

In 2000, the American singer and dancer was diagnosed with viral encephalitis. This is an inflammatory condition of the active brain tissues prompted by an infection or autoimmune reaction from a mosquito bite.

Encephalitis can lead to seizures, muddled thinking, and sometimes movement, vision, and hearing difficulties. After Liza got infected, ambulance crews suspected she was having a stroke after finding her unconscious and with a whole side of her body paralysed, with mumbled speech and sagging facial muscles.

The infection can be life-threatening if not handled immediately, but Liza rose above the odds. The doctors informed her that she would use a wheelchair for the remainder of her life, but she recuperated and performed in her solo show, Liza's Back. She, however, had to relearn how to walk and speak, but she recovered quickly.

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Is Liza Minnelli still alive?

The famous American singer and dancer is still alive. Liza Minnelli's age is 79 years as of 2025, and her zodiac sign is Pisces.

There have been rumours about the singer's death in the past. It is worth noting that any Liza Minnelli obituary you may come across online is not connected to the famous dancer.

How sick is Liza Minnelli?

The actress has faced various health challenges over the years, including battles with encephalitis as well as several surgeries and a history of substance abuse.

In April 2024, Liza was seen in California using a wheelchair. In June 2024, reports indicated that Liza Minnelli was "too unwell" to travel from her Beverly Hills home to New York for the Tribeca Film Festival, where a new documentary about her life and legacy was set to premiere.

Festival founder Robert De Niro personally invited her to attend. The highly anticipated documentary, Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story, included footage from her private archives as well as interviews with her friends.

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The film opened with reflections on the passing of her mother, Judy Garland. Despite her health challenges, Liza remains active on social media, recently announcing she is working on 'multiple spectacular new projects,' including a return to recording.

Regarding the documentary, Liza said:

I've been working quietly with a brilliant director, Bruce David Klein . . . to bring the real story of how my career in films and more began. And I'm not talking about my baby debut at MGM with Mama . . . that was pure nepotism.'

In March 2024, her frail condition prevented her from attending the funeral of another close friend, producer Allan Lazare. At the time, the media reported:

Liza is in bad shape. She can’t travel anymore. For her to miss Allan’s funeral underscores the toll her health issues have taken — leaving those who know her deeply concerned!

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Is Liza Minnelli sober now?

Yes, Liza Minnelli is sober now. She has been sober since 2015. The famous American entertainer struggled with alcohol and drug addiction in the past.

Is Liza Minnelli able to walk?

Yes, the famous American actress and dancer can walk. She was believed to remain for the rest of her life in wheelchairs because of the illness, but she recovered and started walking on her own.

Has Liza had a stroke?

No, Liza Minnelli did not have a stroke. In 2000, she was hospitalised after showing symptoms of paralysis, slurred speech, and disorientation.

Initially, medical professionals thought she had suffered a stroke. After tests, she was diagnosed with viral encephalitis.

Where does Liza Minnelli live?

Liza Minnelli has multiple homes and properties. She occupies them depending on her needs and schedule. She has been primarily based in the United States of America since her health issues worsened. The famous actress, singer, and dancer has homes in London, New York, and Los Angeles.

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What is Liza Minnelli's net worth?

According to Celebrity Net Worth, Liza is worth $20 million. She is a successful singer who has released several successful albums. Besides, she is a famed actress who has starred in multiple films.

Who are Liza Minnelli's children?

The famous American actress and singer does not have living biological kids. She suffered multiple miscarriages in her past.

Was Liza Minnelli's Parkinson's disease cured?

Despite suffering from encephalitis infection, the American celebrity was not afflicted with Parkinson's disease.

Where is Liza Minnelli today?

The famous singer and actress has remained out of the limelight in recent years. Her advancing age and health challenges have made her take a backseat in the entertainment industry. Even so, she remains active on various social media platforms.

Trivia

• Liza Minnelli is the daughter of Judy Garland and Vincente Minnelli.
• Her godparents were Kay Thompson and Ira Gershwin.
• The famous actress attended the High School of Performing Arts and Chadwick School.
• Liza is an Episcopalian.
• She is close friends with singer Adam Ant.

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What's up with Liza Minnelli's health? The actress' health journey has been a difficult one, beginning with substance addiction and progressing to encephalitis disease. She has overcome many health challenges and has since taken a backseat from the entertainment industry.

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Source: YEN.com.gh