Women’s History Month: Let’s Celebrate Bette Midler

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Bootleg Betty
Women’s History Month: Let’s Celebrate Bette Midler
By Mister D
March 20, 2026

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Women’s History Month is a perfect time to celebrate Bette Midler—a trailblazing entertainer, activist, and philanthropist whose six-decade career has broken barriers, entertained millions, and made a tangible difference in the world. Bette Midler: the Divine Miss M, who didn’t just belt out anthems—she turned trash heaps into treasure troves.

Singing powerhouse (the voice that launched a thousand sing-alongs):

• Debut album The Divine Miss M (1972) exploded her career—went platinum, earned her first Grammy for Best New Artist (1974). She was basically the queen of eclectic pop/cabaret right out the gate.
• Iconic hits: “The Rose” (1979) snagged her Grammy for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance (1981). Then “Wind Beneath My Wings” from Beaches (1988) won Record of the Year (1990 Grammy)—that song still makes grown adults ugly-cry in cars. “From a Distance” (1990) hit #1 on Adult Contemporary and got massive airplay.
• Overall: 3 Grammys (nominated for 14+), 13+ studio albums, millions sold worldwide. She’s got range—from bawdy bathhouse tunes to heartfelt ballads—and is only the second woman ever to have top-10 albums in five straight decades.

Acting legend (Oscar nods, Golden Globes, and witchy immortality):

• Film breakout: The Rose (1979)—Oscar nomination for Best Actress, Golden Globe win for Best Actress (Musical/Comedy). She basically channeled rock-star grit and got props for it.
• Double Oscar nom: Second one for For the Boys (1991)—another Golden Globe win in the same category. She’s 4 Golden Globes total (including for Gypsy on TV).
• Comedy gold: Down and Out in Beverly Hills (1986), Ruthless People (1986), Beaches (1988), The First Wives Club (1996)—she owned the ’80s/’90s rom-com/ensemble scene.
• Broadway boss: Special Tony in 1974 for her early revue, then full Tony for Best Actress in a Musical for the 2017 Hello, Dolly! revival (she killed it at 71!).
• Eternal fave: Winifred Sanderson in Hocus Pocus (1993)—cult classic, sequel in 2022, and fans still beg for #3. She turns spooky into sexy-funny.
• TV shine: 3 Emmys (including for specials like Diva Las Vegas and guest spots), plus a Kennedy Center Honor (2021) for lifetime cultural impact.

Bottom line: She’s got 3 Grammys, 4 Golden Globes, 3 Emmys, 2 Tonys (one special, one competitive), 2 Oscar noms—and she’s this close to EGOT (just needs that elusive Oscar). At 80+, she’s still got the pipes, the timing, and the star power that make her a one-woman entertainment institution. Women’s History Month realness: Bette didn’t just perform—she redefined what a powerhouse woman in showbiz could be. Belt it out, queen!

Whoops! Let’s not forget NYRP!

Philanthropy glow-up: In 1995, fed up with NYC’s neglected parks looking like post-apocalyptic sets, she founded the New York Restoration Project (NYRP). What started as her personally picking up garbage has become a green empire. Key flexes (per the 2025 Annual Report & beyond):

– Planted/distributed over 200,000 trees (that’s more than triple Manhattan’s tree count—talk about shade-throwing literally).
– Built/renovated more than 350 community green spaces across all five boroughs.
– Owns/operates over 50 community gardens, pumping out fresh produce for folks who need it most.
– Removed millions of pounds of trash (including the equivalent weight of nearly ten Statues of Liberty—because why not quantify the gross?).
– In 2025 alone (their 30th anniversary year): 8 new green spaces, 4,649 trees planted/given away, 98,000+ lbs of trash hauled, 1,200+ volunteers wrangled, and free programs feeding thousands.

She threw epic Hulaween galas (the 2025 one was a “helluva town” costume blowout that raised millions), matched donations up to $150K, and she snagged the Catalyst Award because, duh, she’s the spark.

Bottom line: Bette didn’t just entertain us—she gave NYC (and the planet) a serious glow-up. Singer, actress, comedian, eco-warrior, and certified legend. Women’s History Month MVP who proves you can be fabulous and fix the world—one tree, one garden, one sassy comeback at a time. Who’s with me?