Bette Midler is an American singer, songwriter and actress. She is best known for her work on stage and in film, but also for founding the New York Restoration Project (NYRP), a non-profit organization that helps restore green spaces in low-income areas of the city.

Born in Honolulu, Hawaii to Ruth (nee Schindel) and Fred Midler, she began her career by singing at gay bathhouses with pre-fame pianist Barry Manilow. She eventually landed a professional role in Tom Eyen’s Off-Off-Broadway productions, and was awarded a Broadway contract for her performance in Fiddler on the Roof in 1966.

Her first big hit was "Bugle Boy", a cover of a song by Bobby Freeman and Cliff Richard that was included on her 1972 debut album, The Divine Miss M. She later recorded a version of the Beatles' seminal song “Love Me Down” for her 1992 album, For the Boys, and also recorded Christmas songs.

During her career, she has been nominated for four Golden Globe Awards, three Grammys and has won a National Board of Review Award. She has been a vocalist in a number of Broadway shows, including the revival of Hello, Dolly! which earned her a Tony Award in 2017.

Her film career includes roles in The Rose (1979), Beaches (1988), Fantasia 2000 (1999), and the Disney movies Hocus Pocus and Hocus Pocus 2 (2022). She was nominated for an Academy Award for her role as singer Dixie Leonard in For the Boys, and her version of “Wind Beneath My Wings” from that movie won her the Grammy for Record of the Year. She has continued to record, release albums and tour the world.