Liza Minnelli has lived her entire life in the spotlight. Born into an entertainment family, the 78-year-old followed the footsteps of her famous mother both on stage and the silver screen, captivating audiences with her talent and personality for more than six decades. Her personal life, however, has also come under close examination, especially her four marriages, which she has never hesitated to discuss openly.
In a new documentary focused on her life, the actress recently revealed personal details and thoughts about her love life, giving more attention to her first union with Oscar-winning lyricist Peter Allen, which lasted from 1967 until 1974.
Liza Minnelli was heartbroken after discovering her first husband was gay
In the documentary Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story, Minnelli shared fond memories of her first husband, Peter Allen, who died of AIDS complications in 1992. She described Allen as a very lovely person who was “so much fun to be with” and possessed a great stage presence.
However, despite her kind words about her first husband, the documentary revealed a more complicated aspect of their short-lived marriage. Her longtime friend, Michael Feinstein, revealed that the actress was heartbroken when she discovered that Allen was gay after walking in on him in an awkward position with another man.
Liza Minnelli says finding out about her first husband’s sexuality was liberating for him
Minnelli reminisced about when she found out her first husband was gay. She explained that the whole situation became a liberation experience for Allen as it enabled him to overcome the limitations of his concealed sexuality and start the process of self-acceptance.
In another discussion with The Advocate referenced in Darryl Bullock’s 2017 book, David Bowie Made Me Gay: 100 Years of LGBT Music, the 78-year-old also spoke about the circumstances surrounding her discovery of Allen’s sexuality, recalling the shock and surprise she felt at the time. She humorously alluded to the experience, joking that she would never again surprise someone by coming home unannounced.