There was no shortage of drama. The legal document continued, saying moving Lee to a condo “will no doubt be the death of her.” In response, Joseph D’Onofrio, the attorney representing Liza, passed on yet another insult to the frail plaintiff, “Given the present circumstances, Liza Minnelli has instructed me to tell your client through you that she is no longer invited to David and Liza’s wedding. In our recent conversation, you indicated that you had been invited to attend one or more of the festivities celebrating the wedding. If that is true, you also are no longer invited.”
Lee’s attorney shot back, “I’ll catch the next one.”
At the time of his death, the entire property, valued at $1.1 million, was bequeathed to his daughter Liza. A stipulation, however, gave life estate rights to his wife Lee. Liza inherited the house, and its occupant. Vincente’s will included two clauses—one, that Lee was to have lifetime access to the home, and, secondly, that Liza was in charge of the estate.
In that case, Liza paid for the maintenance of the mansion, including the utilities and salaries for the help. In 2000, Liza decided to put the property up for sale. A provision of the sale promised Lee a $450K condominium, but Lee refused to take it.
Lee sued for “breach of contract, elder abuse and infliction of emotional distress.” As it happened, Liza’s lavish marriage to David Gest was making headlines, coincidentally, with news and magazine articles detailing the festivities and sharing descriptions, such as the magnificent 12-foot high cake. It was the talk of the town. Guests included Michael Jackson, Elizabeth Taylor, Diana Ross, Dionne Warwick, Martha Stewart, and Mia Farrow.
Lee’s attorneys stated in the lawsuit, “While defendant is honeymooning all over the world, having fed 850 of her closest friends a 12-foot cake, plaintiff is alone in a cold, dark house, at age 94.” Adding, Lee has “been reduced to an anxious and fearful beggar.”
Liza, who was 56 at the time, defended her position. She explained to Daily Variety, “My father left me the house, saying, ‘It is my wish if you sell the house that you move [Lee] to a residence.’ I finally got a nice offer to sell it and offered her a $450,000 condo, tax-free. She won’t move. I’ve been supporting her forever.”
Liza’s frustrations with her stepmother went on, “I did exactly what my father asked me to do. And now we can’t go into escrow because she won’t move. I am willing to give her a happy life.”
To her credit, Liza reached out and invited Lee to dinner. Following that invitation, Lee decided to drop the lawsuit. When they met, they found a path to compromise.
Liza agreed to pay the rent to the new owners of the Beverly Hills mansion for as long as Lee resided there. Upon Lee’s death, the owners would be granted full access to the property.