Once upon a time, Liza Minnelli was more than just an inspiration for millions of drag queens. Judy Garland's daughter was a primetime star of stage and screen with credits including New York, New York and Cabaret, for which she won an Oscar. And then it all went south.

Minnelli's frequent partying and drug abuse contributed to her three divorces, as well as to her being as much a fixture of the Betty Ford Clinic as the wrought iron gates. Just when it looked like her life was back on track, Minnelli married androgynous event planner David Gest in March 2002 (Michael Jackson was best man).

To no one's surprise, the relationship was an abject failure, with Gest claiming Minnelli regularly beat him during their 16-month marriage.