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Bette Midler is 78: Photos of the Broadway & Movie Star Through the Years

By:
December 1, 2023 9:22AM EST
Bette Midler
Ron Sachs/UPI/Shutterstock

Bette Midler is an icon! Celebrate her 78th birthday with her best photos, here.

Bette Midler is a renowned singer and actress. Born Dec. 1, 1945, in Honolulu, Hawaii, Bette got her start off-Broadway before rising to cult status as a regular performer at the gay bathhouse Continental Baths. She made her film debut in the 1979 musical drama The Rose, and went on to appear in hit films like Down and Out in Beverly Hills (1986), Beaches (1988), Hocus Pocus (1993), Gypsy (1993) The First Wives Club (1996), The Stepford Wives (2004), Parental Guidance (2012), and The Addams Family (2019).

Bette has released 14 studio albums through her career. For her work, she’s earned four Golden Globe Awards, three Grammy Awards, three Primetime Emmy Awards, two Tony Awards and a Kennedy Center Honor, along with two Oscar nominations. Ready for more photos of Bette? Check out the gallery for all here best.

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Bette Midler in 1979

Bette Midler in 1979
Kobal/Shutterstock

Bette Midler glows in a photo from around 1979. She had big hair, skinny eyebrows, and had on a striped dress. 

November 30, 2022, 12:18PM
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‘The Rose’

‘The Rose’
Moviestore/Shutterstock

Bette Midler appears in a scene from The Rose. The film was about a self-destructive female rock star.

November 30, 2022, 12:10PM
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Bette Midler Plays Live Aid 1985

Bette Midler Plays Live Aid 1985
Amy Sancetta/AP/Shutterstock

Bette Midler performed at the 1985 Live Aid famine relief concert at Philedelphia’s JFK Stadium. Her as bright orange and she wore a white and green corset with ivory pants.

November 30, 2022, 12:10PM
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Bette Midler Gets Her Star on the Walk of Fame

Bette Midler Gets Her Star on the Walk of Fame
Lennox Mclendon/AP/Shutterstock

Bette Midler looked radiant as she posed with her newly unveiled star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles in 1985. She glowed in a ruffling black skirt and pink coat.

November 30, 2022, 12:10PM
5 of 20

‘Beaches’

‘Beaches’
Touchstone/Kobal/Shutterstock

Bette Midler sings a tune in this still from Garry Marshall’s 1988 film Beaches. The movie followed childhood friends as they grow up, each with their own life struggles.

November 30, 2022, 12:10PM
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Bette Midler in 1988

Bette Midler in 1988
Elisa Leonelli/Shutterstock

Bette Midler truly lit up the room in this December 1988 photo. She rocked a white suit with red curls and looked divine.

November 30, 2022, 12:10PM
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Bette Midler in 1990

Bette Midler in 1990
Mediapunch/Shutterstock

Bette Midler celebrated her 1990 Grammy win by posing for photos backstage. She wore a grey dress and smiled.

November 30, 2022, 12:09PM
8 of 20

‘Hocus Pocus’

‘Hocus Pocus’
Snap/Shutterstock

One of Bette Midler’s most beloved films is Hocus Pocus. She played the witch Winifred Sanderson in the Halloween adventure.

November 30, 2022, 12:10PM
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Bette Midler Plays Radio City Music Hall

Bette Midler Plays Radio City Music Hall
Richard Drew/AP/Shutterstock

Bette Midler was the star during her show at Radio City Music Hall in New York. She took the mic wearing a blue look with silver heels.

November 30, 2022, 12:10PM
10 of 20

Bette Midler at a DNC Benefit

Bette Midler at a DNC Benefit
Stephan Savoia/AP/Shutterstock

Bette Midler is a longtime liberal supporter. She performed at a 2000 Democratic National Committee fund-raiser for then-presidential candidate Al Gore.

November 30, 2022, 12:10PM
11 of 20

Bette Midler Plays Boston

Bette Midler Plays Boston
Robert E Klein/AP/Shutterstock

Bette Midler wore a sassy sailor’s suit on stage during her Kiss My Brass Tour in Boston. She was surrounded by her dancers, The Harlets.

November 30, 2022, 12:10PM
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Bette Midler at the Premiere of ‘The Stepford Wives’

Bette Midler at the Premiere of ‘The Stepford Wives’
Picture Perfect/Shutterstock

Bette Midler was so elegant during the premiere of 2004’s The Stepford Wives. Her black and white look was classic!

November 30, 2022, 12:10PM
13 of 20

Bette Midler at the Premiere of the ‘Sex and the City’ Film

Bette Midler at the Premiere of the ‘Sex and the City’ Film
Henry Lamb/BEI/Shutterstock

City slicker! Bette Midler was glowing during the New York premiere of the Sex and the City movie on Mar 27, 2008. She wore a chocolate sweater with a metallic skirt and peep-toe kitten heels.

November 30, 2022, 12:09PM
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Bette Midler Performs at the Royal Variety

Bette Midler Performs at the Royal Variety
Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock

Bette Midler took the stage during 2009’s Royal Variety Performance in England. She wore a sparkling navy gown for the event, which took place at the Opera House at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool, Britain.

November 30, 2022, 12:09PM
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Bette Midler at the 2014 Oscars

Bette Midler at the 2014 Oscars
Broadimage/Shutterstock

Bette Midler was super chic in red and white Reem Acra during the 86th Annual Academy Awards Oscars on Mar. 2, 2014. Her hair was brushed back and she had on diamond earrings.

November 30, 2022, 12:10PM
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Bette Midler in 2018

Bette Midler in 2018
MediaPunch/Shutterstock

Bette Midler was red hot in Michael Kors sparkles during the 12th Annual God’s Love We Deliver Golden Heart Awards dinner in New York on Oct. 16, 2018. She matched her dress with crimson lipstick and carried a silver songbook with her.

November 30, 2022, 12:10PM
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Bette Midler at WSJ Magazine’s 2019 Innovator Awards

Bette Midler at WSJ Magazine’s 2019 Innovator Awards
Evan Agostini/Invision/AP/Shutte

Bette Midler was pure elegance in all black during WSJ Magazine’s 2019 Innovator Awards at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. A longsleeved, V-neck dress, black tights, and pointy heels were perfect for the Nov. weather.

November 30, 2022, 12:10PM
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Bette Midler at the 2021 Kennedy Center Honors

Bette Midler at the 2021 Kennedy Center Honors
Carolyn Kaster/AP/Shutterstock

Bette Midler was recognized at the 44th Kennedy Center Honors in 2021. There, she turned heads in a white suit and matching mask. She would receive a rainbow collar, alongside SNL’s Lorne Michaels, Motown producer Barry Gordy, and Joni Mitchell.

November 30, 2022, 12:10PM
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Bette Midler at the Premiere of ‘Hocus Pocus 2’

Bette Midler at the Premiere of ‘Hocus Pocus 2’
Andrew H. Walker/Shutterstock

Bette Midler was enchanting in this bold Christopher John Rogers ensemble during the Sep. 27, 2022 premiere of Hocus Pocus 2. She added a pink headwrap to make the striped look really pop.

November 30, 2022, 12:10PM
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Bette Midler at the 25th Annual Costume Designers Guild Awards

Bette Midler at the 25th Annual Costume Designers Guild Awards
Fati Sadou/ABACAPRESS.COM/Shutte

Bette Midler looked gorgeous in this fitted black gown with jewels across the bodice styled with dangling diamond earrings, a silver clutch & red patent leather heels at the Costume Designers Guild Awards in LA on Feb. 27.

March 1, 2023, 11:12AM