NEW YORK – Bette Midler, renowned for her multi-faceted career as a singer, actress, comedian, and activist, continues to leave an indelible mark on the entertainment industry and beyond. With a career spanning over five decades, Midler’s journey from Honolulu, Hawaii, to the heights of Broadway and Hollywood is a testament to her enduring talent and charisma.
According to TourismAfrica2006, Born on December 1, 1945, in Honolulu, Hawaii, as Bette Davis Midler, she was named after the famous actress Bette Davis. Her parents, Fred Midler, a house painter, and Ruth (Schindel) Midler, a seamstress, supported her early artistic endeavors. Midler attended the University of Hawaii at Manoa before moving to New York City in 1965, where she landed a small part in the movie “Hawaii” and made her Broadway debut in “Fiddler on the Roof” in 1966.
Midler’s rise to fame accelerated in the early 1970s with performances at the Continental Baths in New York, where she collaborated with Barry Manilow, her pianist, arranger, and musical director. Her first album, “The Divine Miss M,” released in November 1972, was a critical and commercial success, leading to her winning the Grammy Award for Best New Artist in 1974. In April of the same year, she received a special Tony Award for her contributions to the Broadway season.
Midler’s film career took off with the 1979 release of “The Rose,” loosely based on the life of Janis Joplin, demonstrating her versatility as a performer. Her involvement in various artistic and charitable endeavors has been continuous, from recording the charity single “We Are the World” in 1985 to founding The New York Restoration Project in 1995, focusing on beautifying open spaces in under-resourced New York communities.
Her accolades are numerous, including 14 Grammy nominations with three wins, nine Emmy nominations with three wins, and two Academy Award nominations. She won a Tony Award in 2017 for her performance in “Hello Dolly” and was honored with the Kennedy Center Honors lifetime achievement award in 2021.
Midler’s recent works include headlining New York’s Pride Main Event in 2019, celebrating the 50th anniversary of Stonewall, and publishing her children’s book “The Tale of the Mandarin Duck” in 2021. Her dedication to her craft and various causes continues to inspire fans and fellow artists alike.