Liza Minnelli is 79 years old. It sounds weird to say, doesn't it? For someone who has spent her entire existence practically vibrating with a sort of frantic, neon-lit energy on stage, the idea of her entering her 80s feels like a glitch in the Hollywood matrix. But as of January 2026, the girl who taught us that "life is a cabaret" is just a few weeks shy of her 80th birthday on March 12.
She isn't just sitting around looking at her Oscars, though. Honestly, she’s busier now than most people half her age.
If you’ve been paying attention lately, you know there’s been a lot of chatter. People see her in a wheelchair at the Oscars or appearing on a "velvet throne" at a gala and they start whispering. "Is she okay?" "How old is Liza Minnelli exactly?" "Can she still perform?" The truth is a lot more interesting than the tabloid headlines. Liza is currently gearing up for one of the biggest moments of her later life: the release of her tell-all memoir, Kids, Wait Till You Hear This!, which hits shelves in March 2026.
Why 79 is the New "Lady Peaceful"
For decades, Liza’s age was almost secondary to her survival. We watched her go through four marriages, high-profile battles with substance abuse, and health scares that would have leveled anyone else. In 2000, she survived a bout of viral encephalitis that doctors said would leave her in a wheelchair for life, unable to speak. She didn't listen. She took dance lessons every day and made a comeback that proved she was made of something much tougher than sequins.
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Today, she describes herself as "Lady Peaceful, Lady Happy."
It’s a far cry from the 1970s version of Liza that Andy Warhol used to write about in his diaries. Back then, she was the queen of Studio 54, living life at a pace that was basically unsustainable. Now, at 79, she’s more selective. When she appeared at the Dancers Against Cancer Gala in late 2025 to honor Janet Jackson, she didn't walk the red carpet. She was brought out on a throne. Some people saw that as a sign of frailty, but if you know Liza, you know it was about the drama. It was a choice.
The Memoir: Correcting the Record at Nearly 80
The main reason everyone is asking how old is Liza Minnelli right now is because she’s finally decided to talk back. For years, she stayed quiet while movies like Judy (the Renee Zellweger flick) and series like Halston portrayed her life. She hated them. Well, maybe "hated" is a strong word, but she famously said they "didn't get it right."
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She’s writing this book with Michael Feinstein, her longtime friend and collaborator. The book is specifically aimed at setting the record straight before she hits 80. She’s been open about the fact that her memories are starting to differ from the official "Hollywood" version of her life.
- The Oscar Sabotage: She’s expected to finally dish on what actually happened at the 2022 Oscars with Lady Gaga. Her camp later claimed she was "sabotaged" and forced into a wheelchair against her will right before going on stage.
- The Family Legacy: She’s diving deep into what it was like being the only child of Judy Garland and Vincente Minnelli. Imagine having the Tin Man’s son (Jack Haley Jr.) as your second husband. That’s the kind of surreal Hollywood circles she’s moved in since she was in diapers.
- The Health Struggles: She’s lived with scoliosis her whole life. That’s actually why she dances the way she does—those signature splayed hands and tilted poses were originally ways to move without hurting her back.
A Legacy That Defies the Calendar
You can't really talk about how old she is without talking about the EGOT. Liza is one of the very few people on the planet to have an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony. She got the Tony at 19 for Flora the Red Menace, making her the youngest woman ever to win for a leading role.
That was 60 years ago.
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Think about that. She has been a household name for six decades. Most "it girls" last maybe six months. Liza has survived the disco era, the MTV era, the digital revolution, and now the AI era, and she’s still the only person who can make "New York, New York" sound like the national anthem.
What to Expect Next
As Liza approaches her 80th birthday on March 12, 2026, expect a massive media blitz. Her memoir isn't just a book; it's a victory lap. The audio version is supposed to include recordings she’s been making privately for the last 15 years—intimate stuff that hasn't been heard before.
If you’re looking for "actionable insights" from a 79-year-old legend, it’s basically this: keep moving. She once told a reporter that the secret was to "just keep going, baby." Despite two false hips, a "wired-up" knee, and three crushed disks in her back, she still claims to practice her craft every day.
What you should do now:
If you want the real story instead of the gossip, keep an eye out for the pre-orders of Kids, Wait Till You Hear This! scheduled for March 10, 2026. It’s likely to be the definitive account of the Golden Age of Hollywood from someone who actually lived it. Also, if you haven't seen the 2024 documentary Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story, find it on streaming. It’s the best primer for understanding how she went from "Judy’s daughter" to a singular icon who, at nearly 80, is still the most interesting person in the room.