Liza Minnelli Shares Photo of 'Precious Memory' Celebrating Childhood Birthday with Her Parents as She Turns 79

The sentimental photo shows a sweet moment in what's been an eventful life for the legend of screen and stage

Film star Judy Garland and her husband, Vincente Minnelli, movie director, help their daughter, Liza, celebrate her fourth birthday. Dad presented her with a French toy poodle at a party attended by many of filmland's small fry.
Judy Garland and her husband, Vincente Minnelli, movie director, celebrate daughter Liza's 4th birthday. Photo:

Getty

Liza Minnelli is feeling the love on her birthday.

In celebration of turning 79 on Wednesday, March 12, the legendary entertainer shared a photo from a birthday when she was growing up. The adorable black-and-white shot featured Liza in a party hat, blowing out the candles on her cake as dad Vincente Minnelli watched over her shoulder. Mom Judy Garland was seemingly just off-camera.

"Happy Birthday to me! Ha! Painting my face and fluffing my hair for my party tonight. Sharing a precious memory of Moi with Papa beside me and Mama near by. The Birthday flowers…presents all piling up— ah you shouldn’t have — but I’m damn glad you did!" she wrote in the caption of her Instagram post.

The iconic performer shifted to the present as she celebrated a recent win. "One special gift? @dragthemusical won the @queerty Award! I’m a very proud producer. Congratulations to our tribe! Thank you all for the love felt near & far… as the world goes ‘round! I love you… each one of you."

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The Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony winner grew up in the spotlight. She began performing at 17 years old and became a superstar with her turn as Sally Bowles in Cabaret in 1972. It would be just one of the many show-stopping performances for which she’d become known

Minnelli spoke to PEOPLE in December of 2024, when she revealed the publication of her memoir, to be released in spring 2026, had been optioned for TV.

The joint project — a result of more than 15 years of intimate conversations between the screen, stage and dance star and her close friend and collaborator, Michael Feinstein — will not shy away from her many ups and downs, including substance abuse struggles, that have made her such a survivor.

Liza Minnelli
Liza Minnelli winning an Oscar in 1973.

Bettmann

“I wasn’t going to tell this story, until I realized, maybe I’m still alive because I have a responsibility to help people like me, whose brains are wired differently,” added Minnelli. “I work on recovery every day. Let’s stop the shame.”

It’s just a few of many exciting projects in the works for the pop culture legend, who hopes she has at least one more movie in her.

“I’m recording again with my best friend in the world, Michael Feinstein," she said. "It would be fun to do one more film … At my age? I couldn’t feel better or be working harder!"

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