His Wish for Cremation Ignored : Minnelli Leaves Bulk of Estate to Liza

Movie director Vicente Minnelli left the bulk of his $1.1-million estate to his actress-daughter Liza Minnelli, giving only $100,000 to his wife and $5,000 to his other daughter, court documents show.

The documents filed Thursday also show that the family failed to carry out Minnelli’s stated wish that he be cremated without a funeral.

Minnelli, 83, who died last Friday after a battle against emphysema, named Liza Minnelli executor of his estate. The probate papers filed in Superior Court showed the estate includes personal property worth $130,000 and real property worth $1 million.

In his will, Minnelli asked that his remains be cremated, but Forest Lawn Memorial Park spokesman Dick Fisher said he was buried. And although he specified that he wanted no funeral, one was held Wednesday, with such show business luminaries as Kirk Douglas, Gregory Peck, Michael Jackson, Jimmy Stewart and Bob Hope in attendance.

The family did not say why Minnelli’s wishes were not honored.

In a will dated March 25, 1982, Minnelli left $50,000 to his wife, Lee, but doubled that amount in a June, 1983, addition to the will. The director left $5,000 to daughter Christiane Nina Miro of Mexico, saying he knew she was already well provided for.

He left his Beverly Hills home to Liza--daughter from his first marriage to singer Judy Garland--but requested that his wife be permitted to continue living there.

All other property, including jewelry, artworks, memorabilia and house furnishings, were left to Liza and a trust fund was set up for any children she might have. The actress is childless at present.