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Gest: Liza Minnelli 'had herpes'
By Stephen Deal, Metro Last updated at 09:15am on 05.09.06
Liza Minnelli and David Gest’s divorce battle has become increasingly bitter
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Liza Minnelli had herpes and did not tell her husband about it until after they were married, it was claimed yesterday.
The 60-year-old actress caught the sexually transmitted disease before meeting David Gest but kept it quiet at first, his lawyers alleged.
It is the latest twist in their bitter divorce battle which has been raging since they split in July 2003.
'David was devastated when he found this out a year after they had been together and six months after they were married,' an insider told the New York Post.
The Hollywood producer never contracted the disease but his lawyers said they intend to make Minnelli's medical condition a major issue in the divorce.
If Minnelli had herpes before March 2002, that would be fraud and their prenuptial agreement would be thrown out, they said. That would allow him to go after the Oscar-winner's fortunes.
But Minnelli hit back and accused Gest, 53, of making her ill. The star was 'living in fear' during her marriage because Gest was ' trying to poison her with drugs', according to papers filed at Manhattan Supreme Court in New York.
The couple married in a lavish ceremony in March 2002. Michael Jackson was best man and Elizabeth Taylor was maid of honour.
Reader views (8)
To anyone out there who thinks people who have herpes should be "rounded up and put on an island" the island would have to be pretty big. You are obviously very afraid of something you know nothing about.
There is a chance that you have herpes and do not know it, as there are often no symptoms. Herpes is such a common virus, and is not usually harmful. And it's not like people go out and intentionally get it, it can be contracted from someone who is probably showing no symptoms.
Please inform yourself before making such outrageous comments.
- Anna, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
To the person who wrote, "all people with herpes should take the ostracism they rightly deserve, and should be shipped to an island," you're speaking ignorantly. There are many clean people with herpes. Suppose a woman's husband cheated on her, caught it and then transmitted the virus back to his wife? I knew someone who that happened to. Should the wife too sit back and take the "ostracism?" To the person who wrote, "If I truly loved someone, I would just make sure we did not fool around when the person had a blister," it isn't that simple, as herpes can be spread a few days before and a few days after an outbreak, and sometimes at other times as well. It's nice that if you truly loved somebody that you would stay with that person. It shows that you're a caring person, but you would have to be very cautious not to get it too. I will say that I don't have respect for people who do not disclose their statuses.
- Tim, Downstate, NY
I am a 23yr old female who was infected with herpes 3months before I turned 21 and it was my first and only std and my partner at the time was my best friend who I gave it to. We are no longer together but now Im afraid that Ill never find someone who accepts me for all that I am. my biggest fear is someones reaction to my informing them and having to face embarrasment and rejection.
- Amy Bishop, indianapolis
For all the ignorant people that think herpes is so bad. Herpes is a virus strain from the same family as the varicella virus. There are a lot of herpes virus like herpes zoster . These virus most of them comes and goes thru the lifetime of a person.Usually the body will create antibodies against the virus and thats why most people get varicella only once in their lifetime. The difference is that the herpes simplex virus (either type 1 or 2) hides in the nervous system and its more difficult for the antibodies to eliminate it. Thats why it have recurrences or outbreaks. There are a lot of virus that comes and goes in a lifetime and have nothing to do with people morals or actions.You can get herpes simplex as a child ,even from a kiss in the cheek from a relative and then later on in life pass it as an adult to your partner by oral sex.Most people will get herpes on its lifetime and about 60% of those who have it dont show symptoms or know that they have it.(asymptomatic). So stop being ignorants and educate yourselves, you are not going to catch herpes from reading about it in the net. Also I have found out that most sites that talks about herpes exagerate the symptoms. Although some people have big outbreaks,most people outbreaks go unnoticed.For the ones judging ,think that you may catch herpes or something worse in the future. You think you are safe with a condom?Think twice, herpes and hiv virus are many times smaller than the pores in latex.Educate yourselves.
- Josh, USA
What ever happend to the vows; "for sicker or for poorier?! in a marriage.Yes, she should had told him sometime in their relationship ,but it's not AIDS people!! They could had lived happily ever after without passing it to each other.People make such a big deal about herpes it's sad.It's only a coldsore that can be treatable.If I truly loved someone that had herpes,I would just make sure we don't fool around when they had a blister.People make it sound like it's a death wish or something.As far as puting them on a iland away from others'.Give me a break.How about putting ignorant people on a seprate island instead.Educate yourself.
- C.Cordsman., Houstin,Tx
Herpes is a disease. Stop spreading it. Round everyone up that has it and put them on an island. Be responsible and receive the ostracism you so rightly deserve via disclosure. Don't know if you have it? Get a blood test from your doctor. Yes, they can test for it.
- Herpes No, london, UK
People out there think of 'herpes' as a horrible condition. In fact, herpes is something the majority of the population already has. Notice that the legal papers only speak of 'herpes simplex'. They do not mention the word genital. She probably gets cold sores on her lip from time to time. This is mostly caught during childhood. It is not an issue. Did you ever have a cold sore? Ever think to tell the person you are dating that you had a cold sore on your lip 20 years ago?
- Will, Canada
'Herpes', (or herpes simplex, as it is properly called) is found in 60% to 80% of adults. It will usually have been caught on the face or on the genitals and often causes no symptoms at all. It is seldom important but can be a nuisance for some.
The misconception that it is a serious condition that must always be 'disclosed' in a new relationship is something that this charity has been fighting since its inception.
Most people don't know they have it. It is a cold sore, for goodness' sake!
- Nigel Scott, London, England, UK
