How much was Judy Garland really worth? Unraveling the enigma of her net worth.

What was Judy Garland's Net Worth and Salary?

Judy Garland, the iconic American actress, singer, and vaudevillian, had a net worth of $40 thousand at the time of her death. Adjusted for inflation, this would be equivalent to $300,000 in today's dollars. She had earned more than $400,000 in movie salaries before the age of 18 and went on to make nearly $10 million during her career, which would be roughly $100 million in today's money.

At the peak of her career, Judy Garland was considered one of the most successful actresses in the world. She was not only talented in acting but also excelled as a singer. In an era when actresses were expected to possess multiple skills, Garland stood out with her ability to sing, dance, and act with equal proficiency.

Due to her remarkable achievements, she received numerous awards and honors throughout her career. Some of these accolades include an Academic Juvenile Award, a Golden Globe Award, a Special Tony Award, and a Grammy Award, among many others. However, despite her success, Garland faced various financial issues, which resulted in her low net worth at the time of her passing.

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Financial Problems

Despite earning millions of dollars during the peak of her career, Judy Garland encountered severe financial problems that left her in dire straits towards the end of her life. Decades of mismanagement, combined with her generosity towards friends and family, led to substantial debt that left many of her philanthropic requests unfulfilled.

A few years before her death, Garland discovered that she owed the IRS $500,000, equivalent to around $4 million today. This debt was the result of embezzlement and mismanagement by her agents, Freddie Fields and David Begelman. To cover the debt, the IRS placed a tax lien on her home in Brentwood, Los Angeles, and began garnishing royalties from her recording contracts and other business ventures. Eventually, she was forced to sell her home at a steep discount, leading to a period of frequent hotel stays with unpaid bills.

In 1967, Garland earned over $200,000 from a 27-night engagement at New York's Palace Theater, where she received 75% of the show's profits. Unfortunately, the majority of these earnings were seized by the IRS. After her passing, her daughter, Liza Minnelli, raised the money needed to settle the estate's debts through an auction of over 500 personal items, which raised approximately $250,000. Frank Sinatra also contributed funds to clear the debts.

Early Life

Frances Ethel Gumm, later known as Judy Garland, was born on June 10th, 1922, in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. Raised by vaudevillian parents, Frances showed a passion for song and dance from a young age. She often performed with her siblings, and the family eventually relocated to Lancaster, California, for better opportunities in Hollywood.

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Career

In 1928, the Gumm Sisters started performing together on television. They later changed their name to the "Garland Sisters," although the reason behind this name change remains unclear. Judy Garland was noticed by songwriter Burton Lane, who arranged an audition for her at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios. Impressed by her performance, Garland was offered a contract.

However, MGM struggled to find suitable roles for Garland. At the age of 13, she was considered an "in-between" stage that didn't fit child or adult roles. She was often reminded of her perceived lack of physical beauty compared to her contemporaries. Despite these challenges, Garland's talent as an actress and singer made her a significant source of income for MGM. She appeared in several films and endured a demanding schedule that sometimes required the use of stimulants and sedatives to manage her workload.

A pivotal moment in Garland's career came in 1939 when she was cast as the lead in "The Wizard of Oz." This role became one of her most iconic, and her performance of the song "Over the Rainbow" solidified her fame. After this success, Garland transitioned to adult roles and began her first serious relationship with Artie Shaw. She later married David Rose, but the marriage ended in divorce in 1944. Garland also underwent multiple abortions during this period.

During her time at MGM, Garland starred in various films, including "The Pirate" in 1948, where she experienced a nervous breakdown and attempted suicide for the first time. She continued to struggle with drugs and suffered from a declining career. Despite setbacks, she made a comeback in the theatrical world and performed alongside her daughter, Liza Minnelli. Garland's return to Hollywood in the mid-1950s with "A Star is Born" was highly anticipated, but she ultimately lost the Academy Award to Grace Kelly.

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In the 1960s, Garland focused more on television appearances and even had her own TV show. After the cancellation of the show, she returned to stage work and performed with her daughter, Liza, who had reached adulthood. Financial difficulties combined with personal struggles took a toll on Garland, leading her down a destructive path.

Salary History

Judy Garland's salary varied throughout her career. Her initial contract with MGM in 1935 paid her $100 per week. By the time she played Dorothy in "The Wizard of Oz," her salary had been increased to $500 per week, while her co-stars earned $3,000 per week. From "The Wizard of Oz," Garland earned a total of $9,649, equivalent to approximately $190,000 in today's dollars. During her early career, her mother received a portion of these earnings.

In the early 1950s, Garland earned $15,000 to $20,000 per week from Broadway performances, equivalent to around $163,000 per week today. For her appearance in "The Ford Star Jubilee" in 1955, she received $100,000. Her final film, "I Could Go On Singing" in 1963, paid her $200,000 and guaranteed 10% of the gross after the movie made $3 million.

Throughout her life, Garland derived a significant portion of her income from music royalties, earning between $50,000 and $80,000 annually. Unfortunately, a portion of these royalties was garnished by the IRS and California Franchise Tax Board due to her tax troubles.

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Death

Judy Garland's health rapidly declined during her final concerts in London and Copenhagen. On June 22nd, 1969, she was found dead in a bathroom by her husband, Mickey Deans. Garland was 47 years old at the time. Her cause of death was determined to be a barbiturate overdose. Although suicide was ruled out, Garland had taken a large dosage of the drug over an extended period of time, which led to her demise.

The autopsy also revealed that Garland was suffering from cirrhosis, a severe liver condition that would have eventually caused her death. However, later examinations disputed this claim. Additionally, it was suggested that Garland had an eating disorder, which may have contributed to her demise.