Liza Minnelli has courageously opened up about her tumultuous marriage to the late David Gest, describing the experience as ‘traumatising and insane’. In her forthcoming memoir, she reveals feelings of entrapment, likening her life during their relationship to that of a ‘prisoner.’
Minnelli, now 79, married Gest in 2002, but their union was short-lived, ending in separation just a year later and a lengthy divorce process that was filled with acrimonious legal battles. Gest, who passed away in 2016 at the age of 62, was found dead in a London hotel room following a stroke.
In her memoir, Minnelli recalls how Gest exerted control over her life, detailing distressing incidents that contributed to feelings of humiliation and betrayal. One particularly poignant moment occurred when, after promising Gest to keep him informed of her whereabouts, she was photographed having lunch with friends. Upon returning home, she faced his fierce anger for supposedly breaking one of his ‘most important rules.’
Additionally, Minnelli shares the outrageous story of her birthday party, orchestrated by Gest, where he charged the extravagant costs to her own credit card, only to return the majority of her gifts and keep the money for himself. She reflects on how she was in a precarious financial state at the time of their meeting, having been out of work for a year and believing Gest’s claims that he could save her from financial ruin.
Their marriage gained media attention not just for its glitz—featuring high-profile friends like Michael Jackson as the best man—but also for its stormy nature. Gest even accused Minnelli of physical abuse, claiming she assaulted him during a drunken rage, while Minnelli countered with her own lawsuit, alleging theft and financial manipulation.
In reflecting on Gest’s passing, media figures have noted the bitterness that lingered between the former couple. Journalist Cindy Adams remarked that their marriage was fleeting and charged with negativity. In response to comments made after Gest’s death, a spokesman denied that Minnelli expressed any feelings about him, emphasizing her silence on the matter.
Amidst these painful recollections, Minnelli’s story highlights her resilience and determination to move forward from a deeply unsettling chapter of her life. As she prepares to publish her memoir, it serves as both a personal catharsis and a reminder of her strength.