(On The Divine Miss M character) “She’s just a character. I didn’t bury her.

(On The Divine Miss M character) “She’s just a character. I didn’t bury her. I love that character. That’s the…

(On what she does with her money) “Not a goddamn thing. I don’t do anything with it.

(On what she does with her money) “Not a goddamn thing. I don’t do anything with it. I give a…

(On being a director) “To tell you the truth, I’m no dummy. Directing is just a bitch. And it’s years out of your life.

(On being a director) “To tell you the truth, I’m no dummy. Directing is just a bitch. And it’s years…

(On being a producer) “It doesn’t pay for me. There’s no money in it.

(On being a producer) “It doesn’t pay for me. There’s no money in it. No money. Not that I care…

(On Sally Field) “She’s very smart. She’s doing exactly what she wants to do.

(On Sally Field) “She’s very smart. She’s doing exactly what she wants to do. It took her a minute to…

(On whether she’d rather sing or act) “Singing. No question

(On whether she’d rather sing or act) “Singing. No question. I’d much rather sing. I have to work on my…

(On her being honored by AIDS Project Los Angeles) “I did something. And I’m proud of myself that I didn’t run screaming for the hills like some people did. And fuck ’em, I say.”

1988 – Bette Midler honored by the APLA for her charitable work

Midler on a successful marriage: “It’s best to pick your fights wisely and just meditate.

Midler on a successful marriage: “It’s best to pick your fights wisely and just meditate. Stay calm. Don’t go from…

Midler on the secrets to a successful marriage: “I think the secret is giving each other a lot of lead and a lot of room and not being in each other’s faces all the time.”

Midler on the secrets to a successful marriage: “I think the secret is giving each other a lot of lead…

Midler on her husband Martin and daughter, Sophie:“Raising my daughter was my greatest accomplishment.

Midler on her husband Martin and daughter, Sophie:“Raising my daughter was my greatest accomplishment. I didn’t do it by myself.…

I think that people should never stop working no matter how old they are.

I think that people should never stop working no matter how old they are. I think there should be no…

You know, I like people to make me laugh. It’s the only way to survive.

You know, I like people to make me laugh. It’s the only way to survive. The whole thing, after all,…

The work means too much to me. You know, the construction of the performance, and the timing, and the way it looks, and the way it sounds, and all that stuff.

The work means too much to me. You know, the construction of the performance, and the timing, and the way…

If you let your character define your personality instead of keeping your true self separate, your character will get you. – Bette Midler

If you let your character define your personality instead of keeping your true self separate, your character will get you.…

I consider myself a New Yorker. I’ve had a lot of good times in New York, and I’ve had a lot of success.

I consider myself a New Yorker. I’ve had a lot of good times in New York, and I’ve had a…

It’s best not to be too pompous about yourself.

It’s best not to be too pompous about yourself. It’s better not to need a limousine for your head. Although…

A lot of people say that my life is wasted on me because I could be a bigger asshole than I am, but I’ve chosen not to be. • Bette Midler

A lot of people say that my life is wasted on me because I could be a bigger asshole than…

“I’d make a wonderful Lady Macbeth. I’ll wear a pair of platform shoes or something” • Bette Midler

“I’d make a wonderful Lady Macbeth. I’ll wear a pair of platform shoes or something” • Bette Midler Related articles…

Group conformity scares the pants off me because it’s so often a prelude to cruelty

“Group conformity scares the pants off me because it’s so often a prelude to cruelty towards anyone who doesn’t want…

The only thing Madonna will ever do like a virgin is give birth in a stable. – Bette Midler

The only thing Madonna will ever do like a virgin is give birth in a stable. – Bette Midler (Source/Notes:…

Don’t I look fabulous? I’m a triumph of science and fiction. – Bette Midler

[observation, 2015] Don’t I look fabulous? I’m a triumph of science and fiction. – Bette Midler

If you wants something done, you’d better do it yourself – or ask another woman to do it. – Bette Midler

If you wants something done, you’d better do it yourself – or ask another woman to do it. – Bette…

on the ‘girl bands’ of her youth] The Ronettes, The Chiffons, The Marvelettes, The Crystals.. they were completely and utterly wholesome and whimsical.

on the ‘girl bands’ of her youth] The Ronettes, The Chiffons, The Marvelettes, The Crystals.. they were completely and utterly…

Well, whatever strictures there were have fallen apart.

[on what she perceives as the ‘pornification’ of pop music] Well, whatever strictures there were have fallen apart. And now…

The glass ceiling still exists. It’s getting a little better for women, but past a certain age, certainly not.

The glass ceiling still exists. It’s getting a little better for women, but past a certain age, certainly not. –…

[on “Beaches”] No one was more surprised than me at how it took off and has such a place in the hearts of so many generations.

[on “Beaches”] No one was more surprised than me at how it took off and has such a place in…

Fame and money was partly what drove me to leave Hawaii for New York to become a singer when I was 19.

Fame and money was partly what drove me to leave Hawaii for New York to become a singer when I…

My father loved me, but until the day he died he thought it was a total waste of time and that I should have been a teacher or a nurse.

My father loved me, but until the day he died he thought it was a total waste of time and…

Charm is something a lot of today’s young artists could do with.

Charm is something a lot of today’s young artists could do with. Maybe I’ll start a charm school, like they…

When I first heard “Wind Beneath My Wings”, I thought: “I’m not singing that.

When I first heard “Wind Beneath My Wings”, I thought: “I’m not singing that.” [Longtime friend and producer] Marc Shaiman…