Bette Midler
Bette Midler is a singer, actress and comedian whose music, from “The Rose” to “Wind Beneath My Wings,” sits alongside a career in film, Broadway and caring for New York’s green spaces.
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Latest
Bette’s happenings, collected from public sources, plus her backstory and Starbook, where fans write.
Known for
Overview
- Born
- December 1, 1945 · Honolulu, Hawaii
- Work
- Singer, actress, comedian and author
- Also known as
- The Divine Miss M
- Breakout album
- The Divine Miss M · 1972
- Offstage
- Founder of New York Restoration Project · 1995
Mini bio
How it started.
Born in Honolulu, Bette studied drama at the University of Hawaii before moving to New York in 1965. Early theatre work led to Fiddler on the Roof and then her cabaret act at the Continental Baths, where Barry Manilow accompanied her. That mix of songs, comedy and theatrical character became the foundation of the Divine Miss M.
Songs that stayed.
Her 1972 debut, The Divine Miss M, brought “Friends,” “Do You Want to Dance” and “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” into her repertoire on record. The album reached the US Top 10. She later moved between the rock drama of The Rose and the friendship story of Beaches, whose soundtrack gave her the US No. 1 “Wind Beneath My Wings.”
Stage, screen and city.
Bette’s screen work includes Hocus Pocus and The First Wives Club. In 2017 she returned to Broadway as Dolly Gallagher Levi in Hello, Dolly!, winning the Tony for leading actress in a musical. Away from performing, she founded New York Restoration Project in 1995 to protect and restore the city’s gardens and green spaces.
Creditschronological, newest first
Music
- 2026All You Fascists (Bound to Lose)Singer, executive producer and co-writer of the adaptation
- 2017Hello, Dolly! New Broadway Cast RecordingDolly Gallagher Levi
- 1989Wind Beneath My WingsSinger
- 1972The Divine Miss MSinger
Film
- 2026StepsFairy Godmother, voice; Netflix release scheduled for November 20
- 1996The First Wives ClubBrenda
- 1993Hocus PocusWinifred Sanderson
- 1979The RoseMary Rose Foster
Broadway
- 2017Hello, Dolly!Dolly Gallagher Levi
Awards
- Woody Guthrie Prize2026 · Recognized for artistry and advocacy for social change.
- NYRP Catalyst Award2025 · Honored for 30 years of leadership and environmental stewardship.
- Tony Award2017 · Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical, Hello, Dolly!
- Grammy Award1990 · Record of the Year, “Wind Beneath My Wings.”
- Grammy Award1981 · Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female, “The Rose.”
- Grammy Award1974 · Best New Artist.
Quotes
Just tell them I'm divine!Bette Midler, The Divine Miss M deluxe edition liner notes, via Rhino
Recalling what she told the owner of the Continental Baths when he asked how to introduce her.
Trivia
- She was named after Bette Davis.
- Barry Manilow accompanied her at the Continental Baths and co-produced her debut album.
- Her friend Bill Hennessy called her the Divine Miss M before the nickname became her stage introduction.
- Her 2014 album It’s the Girls! celebrates girl groups, with songs ranging from the Andrews Sisters to TLC.
Find Bette
Follow her music, film news and life among the gardens.
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