Spokesman Says Liza Minnelli, Husband Have Separated

Tampa Bay Online ^ | July 25, 2003 | Associated Press

[Recourse]

Spokesman Says Liza Minnelli, Husband Have Separated

The Associated Press

Published: Jul 25, 2003

NEW YORK (AP) - Liza Minnelli and David Gest, who were married last year in a star-studded ceremony, have separated, Minnelli's spokesman said Friday. Spokesman Warren Cowan said he could provide no other details.

Minnelli and Gest wed in March 2002 with best man Michael Jackson briefly carrying the bride's train. Elizabeth Taylor served as maid of honor.

Hundreds of fans lined Fifth Avenue to watch guests including actors Michael Douglas, Anthony Hopkins and David Hasselhoff, rocker Elton John, TV newswoman Barbara Walters and KISS band member Gene Simmons arrive.

Gossip columnist Liz Smith called the nuptials, Minnelli's fourth, "the kissiest wedding" she's ever seen.

Minnelli danced in happiness at the altar after tying the knot, attendees said.

Newsday reported on its Web site Friday that Minnelli and Gest earlier in the day canceled a Monday appearance on CNN's "Larry King Live." A call to CNN was not immediately returned.

The bride and groom were introduced by Jackson when Minnelli appeared on a Gest television production entitled "Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Special."

Minnelli, daughter of Judy Garland and director Vincente Minnelli, has won an Academy Award, an Emmy, two Golden Globes and three Tony Awards.

But she has also battled substance abuse, weight gain and a near-fatal bout with encephalitis. Earlier this year, the performer underwent surgery after breaking her kneecap in a fall at a hotel in Italy.

AP-ES-07-25-03 2116EDT

[lowbridge]

I saw someting on ET the other night about them wanting to adopt.

Whew! Boy, some lucky kid dodged that bullet!

[Liz]

It's over? Gee, what a shock (/sarcasm). I just hope Liza didn't sign over all he assets to this guy. That's all he was after. Her value as a money-maker was the attraction for him. Same thing happened to Judy. She wound up with nothing. Sid Luft took her for a ride and ger agents stole her blind.

[RichInOC]

Who would have thought?

[RichInOC]

If this picture hadn't happened in real life, Charles Addams would have had to do the cartoon version. Oh, wait...he did.

[onyx]

Shortly after their pagentry wedding, I saw them on LKL declaring their undying love for one another. I can't recall his face, but I remember thinking that either he looked or sounded gay. Is he?

[onyx]

Their wedding kiss (if you can call it that) was one of the grossest things I've ever seen. The image still haunts me.

ROFLMAO!!!!!!!

And to think I missed that!

[rabidralph]

Excuse me, I leave my house in slippers at times, or in non matching shoes. I am not senile, just preoccupied.

And Liz Taylor is preoccupied with...what?

[Liz]

The rumor mill swore he was gay. He himself denied it and Liza claimed they had a "normal" relationship. OTOH, most people saw him as a crass opportunist who was using Liza for financial gain just like Judy was used. Another take on this is that in gay circles Liza who's mother was an icon to gays is considered a gay's trophy wife.

[onyx]

Ahhhh yes, A trophy wife and rich too. That would explain his attraction to her, but what could she have possibly seen in him, given that she's been clean and sober for quite some time?

[Liz]

She's had all these failed marriages and was alone when he stepped into her life. Guess she thought (and he calculatingly played the part to the hilt) he was the proverbial knight come to rescue her.

[Martus]

Does this really surprise anyone?

[mlmr]

LoL, I don't know..... Michael Jackson??

[miss marmelstein]

Hers or his? Was I the only one who noticed a distinct resemblance between the waxy, reassembled Usay and David Gest?

[Petronski]

They each saw other guys?

Maybe they found out they were both cheating with the same guy...

[Publius6961]

Wow!

Just last night I was wondering...

What was the question again?

[the Deejay]

"Excuse me, I leave my house in slippers at times, or in non matching shoes. I am not senile, just preoccupied."

Well, excuse me. I wouldn't have known that about you, unless you told me. Are you in Liz Taylor's social club?

Has it ever been reported to the media you've left the house with non matching shoes or in your slippers?

[the Deejay]

Liz Taylor is preoccupied with her face and not de-feet.

What was up with that hat she wore to that wedding? It looks like a throw back to the 1940's. And that dress! Left over from Cleopatra?

[sine_nomine]

It is true that the sharks prey upon the talent. However, the talent often self-destructs with long bouts of alcohol and drug abuse. I simply do not see how someone can make good decisions when drinking or getting high on a regular basis.

Judy was cruelly exploited, but at some point she could have sobered up and managed her own career. Her version of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" is haunting. Liza could be pretty good at times, too, but she is more known for being intoxicated with something than for performing.

[the Deejay]

"Not only do they look embalmed, but they're the spitting image of Uday (Michael Jackson, with that putty nose) and Qusay (Gest) after the military morticians had a go at them."

You're right! LOL!