Liberace Reported Gravely Ill With Pernicious Anemia

Liberace is gravely ill with anemia, emphysema and heart disease, a publicist said Tuesday, one day after his manager denied a report that the entertainer had AIDS and insisted that he simply was anemic from dieting on watermelons.

The flashy 67-year-old showman, known by the trademark candelabra atop his piano, is under the care of doctors at his home here, according to a statement issued by publicist Denise Collier in New York.

“It is my great regret to inform you that Liberace is gravely ill with pernicious anemia, complicated by advanced emphysema and heart disease,” she said.

“Liberace is resting comfortably at his home . . . and is sincerely appreciative of the hundreds of get-well wishes and prayers he has received from his fans,” she said.

Asked if Liberace’s illness was a complication of AIDS, Collier said, “All I know is this statement. He’s only being treated for emphysema and heart disease. It seems to me that all this is heavy enough.”

Liberace’s manager, Seymour Heller, had denied on Monday a story in the Las Vegas Sun newspaper attributing to unidentified sources the report that Liberace had AIDS.

Heller had said that Liberace was being treated for anemia brought on by a watermelon diet by which he had shed 25 pounds.

Liberace was admitted to Eisenhower Memorial Hospital in Rancho Mirage, Calif., on Friday night, Heller said. A hospital nursing supervisor said Liberace was released Monday.

Liberace, with his trademark furs, flashy clothes and jewelry, performs music from classical to pop. He gained national attention in the 1950s with a television show that featured him at the piano in outrageously extravagant garb.