Liza Minnelli hospitalized with encephalitis

By TERRY SPENCER

Associated Press

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Liza Minnelli has viral encephalitis, a potentially deadly inflammation of the brain, and was in “very serious condition” but was doing better today, a hospital statement said.

Responding to published reports, Cleveland Clinic Hospital in Fort Lauderdale said in the statement that Minnelli “is now recovering well and we expect to release her in a few days.”

Fire-Rescue Division-Chief Stephen McInerny told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel of Fort Lauderdale that paramedics arrived at Minnelli’s home Oct. 8 to find the 54-year-old actress suffering symptoms that included paralysis on one side of her body, slurred speech and drooping facial muscles.

“We found her semiconscious on the floor, disoriented and suffering from what we believe was a possible stroke,” he said.

Encephalitis is usually contracted by an insect bite. The New York Post had reported the diagnosis in today’s editions.

The hospital said Minnelli fell ill two weeks ago and “was quite sick and was in a very serious condition.” She was released after an unspecified number of days but then became dehydrated at home and returned to the hospital, the statement said.

It added that she expressed thanks to the public “for your care and concern.”

In New York, publicist Michael Hartman said today he spoke with Minnelli and “she is very happy. The doctors have reported that she’s making tremendous progress.”

“Encephalitis is a serious condition but she is by no means on her death bed. She is in great spirits,” Hartman said.

Minnelli was born into show business. Her mother was Hollywood legend Judy Garland and her father was Academy Award-winning film director Vincente Minnelli.

At 19, Minnelli won a Tony Award for her first Broadway production: “Flora, The Red Menace,” and went on to win two more. At 26, she won the best actress Oscar for her dynamic, groundbreaking performance as Sally Bowles in 1972’s “Cabaret.”

“Arthur” (1981), with Dudley Moore, and Martin Scorsese’s “New York, New York,” (1977) co-starring Robert DeNiro, are among her other successful films.

But she has battled health problems on and off for years.

In May, Minnelli was forced to cancel tour dates for “Minnelli on Minnelli,” a one-woman show saluting her father, for a condition on her left hip. She has had two surgeries on her right hip. In 1984, she spent seven weeks in the Betty Ford Center to overcome alcohol and tranquilizer dependence.

She scoffed at those who would feel sorry for her.

“My life hasn’t been half as troubled as they say,” Minnelli said in a New York magazine interview published in 1997. “I have had a really terrific time – I have. I have known so many swell people, in and out of show business, and my parents were famous, so they got to know swell people and then I got to know them.”

Copyright ©2000 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Everett Historic Theater owner Curtis Shriner inside the theater on Tuesday, May 13, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Historic Everett Theatre sale on horizon, future uncertain

With expected new ownership, events for July and August will be canceled. The schedule for the fall and beyond is unclear.

Contributed photo from Snohomish County Public Works
Snohomish County Public Works contractor crews have begun their summer 2016 paving work on 13 miles of roadway, primarily in the Monroe and Stanwood areas. This photo is an example of paving work from a previous summer. A new layer of asphalt is put down over the old.
Snohomish County plans to resurface about 76 miles of roads this summer

EVERETT – As part of its annual road maintenance and preservation program,… Continue reading

City of Everett Engineer Tom Hood, left, and City of Everett Engineer and Project Manager Dan Enrico, right, talks about the current Edgewater Bridge demolition on Friday, May 9, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
How do you get rid of a bridge? Everett engineers can explain.

Workers began dismantling the old Edgewater Bridge on May 2. The process could take one to two months, city engineers said.

Smoke from the Bolt Creek fire silhouettes a mountain ridge and trees just outside of Index on Sept. 12, 2022. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County will host two wildfire-preparedness meetings in May

Meetings will allow community members to learn wildfire mitigation strategies and connect with a variety of local and state agencies.

Helion's 6th fusion prototype, Trenta, on display on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Helion celebrates smoother path to fusion energy site approval

Helion CEO applauds legislation signed by Gov. Bob Ferguson expected to streamline site selection process.

Vehicles travel along Mukilteo Speedway on Sunday, April 21, 2024, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Mukilteo cameras go live to curb speeding on Speedway

Starting Friday, an automated traffic camera system will cover four blocks of Mukilteo Speedway. A 30-day warning period is in place.

Carli Brockman lets her daughter Carli, 2, help push her ballot into the ballot drop box on the Snohomish County Campus on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Here’s who filed for the primary election in Snohomish County

Positions with three or more candidates will go to voters Aug. 5 to determine final contenders for the Nov. 4 general election.

Students, educators speak out against Early Learning Center closure

Public commenters criticized Everett Community College for its handling of the closure. The board backed the move, citing the center’s lack of funding.

A ferry passes by as Everett Fire Department, Everett Police and the U.S. Coast Guard conduct a water rescue for a sinking boat in Possession Sound off of Howarth Park on Wednesday, May 21, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Searchers on the scene of sunken boat near Howarth Park

A good Samaritan rescued one person from the water. Crews are still searching for three others.

Gov. Bob Ferguson’s signature on the the 1,367 page document outlining the state’s 2025 operating budget. (Photo by Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero/Washington State Standard)
Ferguson signs budget boosting Washington state spending and taxes

The governor used his veto pen sparingly, to the delight of Democrats and the disappointment of Republicans.

Madison Family Shelter Family Support Specialist Dan Blizard talks about one of the pallet homes on Monday, May 19, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Madison Family Shelter reopens after hiatus

The Pallet shelter village, formerly Faith Family Village, provides housing for up to eight families for 90 days.

Washington State Trooper Chris Gadd is transported inside prior to a memorial service in his honor Tuesday, March 12, 2024, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Jury selection begins in Everett trial of driver accused in trooper’s death

Jurors questioned on bias, media exposure in the case involving fallen Washington State Patrol trooper Chris Gadd.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.