Liberace

Musical Artist

1919 – 1987

33

Who was Liberace?

Władziu Valentino Liberace, mononymously known as Liberace, was an American pianist and vocalist.

A child prodigy, and the first generation son of working class immigrants, Liberace's career spanned four decades of concerts, recordings, motion pictures, television, and endorsements. At the height of his fame from 1950s to the 1970s Liberace was the highest-paid entertainer in the world, with established residencies in Las Vegas, and an international touring schedule. Liberace embraced a lifestyle of flamboyant excess both on and off stage, and acquired the sobriquet "Mr. Showmanship". Liberace was recognised during his career with two Emmy Awards, six gold albums and two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Coming of age during a time when being openly homosexual could destroy one's career and endanger one's life, Liberace publicly and adamantly denied his sexual preference during his entire career. He successfully sued two publications via high profile lawsuits who claimed he was gay, winning thousands of dollars in compensation and legal fees. Towards the end of Liberace's life, his former chauffeur and lover, Scott Thorson, unsuccessfully sued him for palimony, slander and conversion of property. Liberace also released a coffee table book in his life and performed 21 sold out shows at Radio City Music Hall which set box office records a few months before his death in Palm Springs, California on February 4, 1987. Liberace's death remains controversial due to the fact that there had been rumours prior to his passing that he had contracted the AIDS virus which his management, publicist, friends, and even Liberace himself had vehemently denied. Ultimately the Riverside County coroner ordered an official autopsy against the wishes of his estate and determined that Liberace had died of an AIDS-related illness making him the second major celebrity after Rock Hudson to officially succumb to the illness during the early days of media frenzy surrounding the disease.

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Born
May 16, 1919
West Allis
Also known as
  • Wladziu Valentino Liberace
  • The Glitter Man
  • Lee
  • Mr. Showmanship
  • Lee Liberace
  • Walter Liberace
  • Walter Busterkeys
  • Vładziu
  • Walter
Parents
Siblings
Spouses
Nationality
  • United States of America
Profession
Education
  • Wisconsin Conservatory of Music
Lived in
  • West Allis
Died
Feb 4, 1987
Palm Springs
Resting place
Forest Lawn Memorial Park

Submitted
on July 23, 2013

Citation

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"Liberace." Biographies.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 18 Mar. 2024. <https://www.biographies.net/people/en/liberace>.

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