Peter Richard Woolnough Allen, born in Tenterfield, Australia, lived a life that swung between dazzling fame and deep heartbreak. Discovered in Hong Kong by Judy Garland’s husband, he later married her daughter, Liza Minnelli—a glamorous but short-lived union. Peter’s flamboyant stage presence and heartfelt songwriting defined an era: he co-wrote I Honestly Love You, Don’t Cry Out Loud, and Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do), earning two Oscars. Though he never formally came out, Peter lived openly with his longtime partner, model Gregory Connell, inspiring his iconic anthem I Still Call Australia Home. After Gregory’s death from AIDS, Peter continued to perform until his own passing from the same disease nearly ten years later. His story—of love, loss, resilience, and melody—reminds us of a queer artist who refused to hide, shining brighter than the spotlight itself.
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