Bette Midler is a singer who has enchanted countless music fans with songs such as “From a Distance,” “You Don’t Own Me,” and “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy.” She is also an actress who has appeared in both films and television shows. Aside from the obvious, there is much more than meets the eye (or ear). Here are some interesting facts about her that fans may not be aware of!

8 Things You Didn’t Know About Bette Midler

1. Grew Up In A Poor Family

While it’s difficult to imagine Bette Midler as anything other than a well-loved celebrity, there was a time when she was a young girl who felt out of place in her surroundings. Midler grew up in Hawaii, where she felt out of place as a Jewish girl. ^[1]

2. Worked At A Gay Bath House

Before she became famous, she was known as “Bathhouse Bette” because she worked as an entertainer at the famous Continental Baths, a gay bathhouse in Manhattan. ^[2]

3. Her Biggest Career Regrets

One of her biggest regrets is turning down the film “Sister Act,” which she claims was written specifically for her. Midler also claimed that she turned down the Oscar-winning role of Kathy Bates in “Misery” out of fear. ^[3]

4. She Wa Assaulted

Bette Midler allegedly suffered from this type of Hollywood misogyny when she was taken advantage of by journalist and TV host Geraldo Rivera.

5. Her Daughter Is Also An Actress

Bette Midler’s daughter, Sophie von Haselberg, is also a successful actress, proving that talent runs in the Midler family. Midler revealed to People in 2008 that von Haselberg had recently expressed interest in following in her mother’s footsteps. ^[4]

6. Huge Fan Of Adele

Adele is one of her favorite young performers. Midler also mentioned Adele’s “funny and warm” personality and how it enhanced her performances. ^[5]

7. Wrote A Book

The actress also wrote a children’s book about a real-life story in 2021, inspired by her struggles with the modern world: when a rare bird appeared in Central Park in 2018, it became a tourist attraction.

8. Won An Academy Award For Her First Role

She starred in her first official feature film, The Rose. Midler’s portrayal of a charming but out-of-control performer who drinks, swears, sings, and eventually dies earned her a Golden Globe nomination and an Oscar nomination.