A new documentary reveals intimate details about Liza Minnelli's first marriage to Australian entertainer Peter Allen, including the heartbreaking moment that led to their eventual divorce.
In "Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story," premiering in select theaters on January 24, close friend Michael Feinstein shares that Minnelli was "truly devastated" when she discovered Allen in an intimate situation with another man. The marriage, which lasted from 1967 to 1974, ended after this revelation.
"People always say, 'How could she have not known?' She didn't know. I absolutely believe that," Feinstein explains in the documentary. Allen later died in 1992 from AIDS complications at age 48.
Despite the painful end to their relationship, Minnelli, now 78, reflects on her time with Allen with remarkable grace and humor. "Peter Allen was so hilarious and so much fun to be with," the Oscar winner recalls in the film. "And he was so great on stage." When asked about her love life, she jokes, "Give me a gay break!"
The documentary, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in June, features interviews with longtime friends including Mia Farrow, who remembers Allen as making Minnelli the "happiest" she'd ever seen her with a partner.
Looking back, Minnelli shows understanding for her former husband's struggles, noting, "I think he felt restricted. He needed literally to come out."
The film also explores Minnelli's subsequent marriages to Jack Haley Jr., Mark Gero, and David Gest, painting a comprehensive picture of the entertainment icon's romantic journey through the years.