Judy Garland was 47 years old when she died on June 22, 1969. She was born Frances Ethel Gumm on June 10, 1922, in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. Her death occurred in London, where she collapsed in her bathroom at her home and was later confirmed to have died from an accidental barbiturate overdose. This verified explainer answers direct questions about her age at death while providing factual context about her birth and passing, including the role of barbiturates in the official determination.
Key dates and basic facts
Understanding Judy Garland’s age at death requires aligning her birth date, death date, and the circumstances recorded by coroners and biographers. The table below summarizes the core verified attributes most often referenced in reliable reporting.
| Attribute | Verified detail | Source type |
|---|---|---|
| Full name at birth | Frances Ethel Gumm | Birth certificate, biographies |
| Date of birth | June 10, 1922 | Official records, biographies |
| Place of birth | Grand Rapids, Minnesota, United States | Biographical records |
| Date of death | June 22, 1969 | Coroner’s reports, news archives |
| Place of death | Chelsea, London, United Kingdom | Coronial and police records |
| Age at death | 47 years old | Calculated from above dates |
| Reported cause of death | Accidental barbiturate overdose | Official inquest, toxicology reports |
| Career span | 1929–1969 | Performance records |
Biographical context
Born into a family of performers, Garland began working in entertainment as a toddler and rose to prominence as a teenager, most notably for her role in The Wizard of Oz (1939). Her career spanned recording, stage, and film, but she also faced well-documented struggles with health, substance use, and the pressures of early fame. Discussions about her age at death are often framed by these lifelong challenges, which culminated in the barbiturate-related incident in 1969.
Cause of death and age relevance
Garland’s death at 47 was attributed to an accidental overdose of barbiturates, a class of drugs used therapeutically for seizures and sedation but dangerous in excess. The role of barbiturates in her passing is significant because it connects to medical and historical conversations about prescription practices and mental health in the mid-20th century. Her age at death is a factual anchor that helps situate the timing of her health struggles and the broader arc of her career.
Common misconceptions
- She did not die at the height of a performance engagement in the U.S.; she was in London at the time.
- Her age at death, 47, reflects a life that began in the silent era and extended into the late 1960s, encompassing major shifts in entertainment and culture.
- The coroner’s verdict was accidental, not ruled a suicide or homicide.
Comparative context
Placing Garland’s age at death alongside peers and successors can clarify patterns in careers and health challenges in classic Hollywood. The table below provides brief comparative points often cited in biographical work.
| Person | Age at death | Primary cause of death |
|---|---|---|
| Judy Garland | 47 | Accidental barbiturate overdose |
| Marilyn Monroe | 36 | Acute barbiturate overdose, ruled probable suicide |
| James Dean | 24 | Automobile accident |
| John Belushi | 33 | Drug overdose, combined drug intoxication |
Historical and cultural impact
Garland’s influence extends far beyond her age at death. She shaped mid-century musical film and recorded standards that remain in the repertoire. Her lived experience, including the challenges of stardom and health, continues to inform conversations about artist welfare and the responsibilities of studios and medical professionals. Because her work remains popular, queries about her age at death persist as a way to understand both the timeline of her career and the context of her passing.
Verifying dates and records
When researching how old Judy Garland was when she died, it is important to rely on primary records such as birth and death certificates, coroner reports, and established biographies. Secondary sources like reputable biographies, archival news film, and authenticated interviews corroborate these dates. Cross-referencing these materials reduces misinformation and supports a factual timeline that can be consistently cited.