This page is one that will be added to on a regular basis I hope. Here is where you will find little tidbits of information that I hope you will find interesting about the Divine Miss M.

Did you know ...
You might know that Ms. M recieved a VH1 Honors award for her work with the environment, both in California and New York. At that event she performed with Wynonna Judd. Did you know what her award had on it? Here's what it says;
"The power of music is the power of the soul, VH1 honors the musician who goes beyond sharing the soul and shares time, energy and resources to help others JUNE 22ND, 1995."
Did you know...
Many of you may know that Bette Midler was named after legendary actress of the screen Bette Davis but did you know that her two sisters were named after famous Hollywood starlettes as well?
Her sister Susan was named after Susan Hayward and her sister Judith after none other then Judy Garland.
Did you know...
What the 5 men James Caan, Richard Dreyfuss, Nick Nolte, George Segal, & Gene Hackman all have in common?
They've both worked with Bette Midler AND Barbra Streisand as leading men in the films these two divas have appeared or starred in. Now those are leading men for you!
James Caan For The Boys (Eddie Sparks) Funny Lady (Billy Rose)
Richard Dreyfuss Down and Out in Beverly Hills (Dave Whiteman) Nuts (Aaron Levinsky)
Nick Nolte Down and Out in Beverly Hills(Jerry Baskin) Prince of Tides (Tom Wingo)
George Segal For The Boys (Uncle Art) The Owl and the Pussycat (Felix) &
The Mirror Has Two Faces (Henry Fine)
Gene Hackman Get Shorty (Harry Zimm) &
Hawaii (Reverend John Whipple)
 All Night Long (George Dupler)
Paul Mazursky Scenes from A Mall (Doctor Hans Clava)
 A Star Is Born (Brian)
George Carlin Outrageous Fortune(Frank Madras)
 Prince of Tides (Eddie Detreville)
Did you know ...
VH1 reviewed what in their opinion were the ""Top 5 Virtuous Musicians." Number 4 on their list was Bette Midler for her work with the NYRP, for cleaning up the park and the environment.
Did you know ...
Bette Midler has been recognized by the Record Industry of America for selling 13.5 Million Albums in the US.
Her certifications are as follows:
(**Notes are dates of certification NOT of album release)
Gold Albums:
Bette Midler 12/12/73 ATLANTIC Gold ALBUM SOLO Standard
For The Boys (SOUNDTRACK) 12/27/91 ATLANTIC Gold ALBUM SOLO Standard
Bette of Roses 01/24/96 ATLANTIC Gold ALBUM SOLO Standard
Bathhouse Betty 01/22/99 WARNER BROS. Gold ALBUM SOLO Standard
Gold Singles:
The Rose 07/25/80 ATLANTIC Gold SINGLE SOLO Standard
Platinum Albums:
The Divine Miss M 01/18/90 ATLANTIC Platinum ALBUM SOLO Standard
Beaches (Soundrack) (3 X Platinum) 08/29/91 ATLANTIC Multi Platinum ALBUM SOLO Standard
Some Peoples Lives (2 X Platinum) 03/12/91 ATLANTIC Multi Platinum 2.0 ALBUM SOLO Standard
The Rose (Soundtrack) (2X Platinum) 11/30/93 ATLANTIC Multi Platinum 2.0 ALBUM SOLO Standard
Experience The Divine: Greatest Hits 06/11/96 ATLANTIC Platinum ALBUM SOLO Standard
Platinum Singles:
"Wind Beneath My Wings" 10/24/91 ATLANTIC Platinum SINGLE SOLO Standard
"From A Distance" 01/02/91 ATLANTIC Platinum SINGLE SOLO Standard

Did you know ...
Bette Midler co-wrote a song called "Inner Logic" with Franne Golde and was used in the movie 7 Minutes in Heaven. Though not singing herself for the movie she has writing credits for the song.
Did you know...
In the movie, IN THE MOOD, she has writing credits for some of the lyrics of the title song of the movie. Once again, she doesn't sing it, merely has the credits. It is sung by Jennifer Holliday.
Did you know...
Bette also has written the following songs to name a few:
"Something Your Heart's Been Telling Me" -recorded by Roberta Flack
**rumors that it was to have been on "Bette" but was dropped in the final cut**
"I Could Have Loved You" and "Steal Away Again" were both co written by Miss M and Carole Bayer Sager & Bruce Roberts. Sayer, Roberts and Lisa Hartman have all recorded "Steal Away Again." The song "I Could Have Loved You" was recorded by a group called "The Moments"
Did you know ...
Not only did the new sitcom "Bette" premiere on Oct 11, but on this day in 1979, The film, " The Rose " starring Bette Midler, premiered. Sounds like a great day to me.
Did you know ...
There is an unreleased Bette Album from the 70's? Timothy White did an interview with Bette in Crawdaddy Magazine that appeared in 1977 where it was mentioned that "5 R & B flavored songs where cut." Aaron Russo (Bette's infamous manager at the time vowed the songs would never see the light of day saying."Something was missing. None of the songs where hit singles.")
But, like with many tracks on an album, only a few are chosen, the rest...who knows where they end up if they're not included as bonus tracks on the import cds.
Would still be interesting to hear these songs if any still exist. Ms. M can do ANY style of music, and R&B definately suits her.
Did you know...
She received her second Oscar nomination in For the Boys, and that soundtrack went gold. (As She and the album deserved!!) However controversy arose from For The Boys. Performing legend Martha Raye, stated that the stories within the movie strongly outlined her own life story. Ms. Raye filed charges, however on Feb 23, 1994 the lawsuit was dropped due to lack of any basis on which to continue.
Did you know...
That the same 1977 Crawdaddy magazine article also mentioned in this article is Bette's never released duet with Paul Simon: "Gone at Last". Bette's version was replaced on the album at the last minute by Pheobe Snow. Bob Dylan refers to this incident at the end of "Buckets of Rain" on SFTND when he says "Maybe Paul Simon shoulda done this one..."
Did You know...
That on VH1's "100 Greatest Rock and Roll Moments on TV" series Ms. M was seen in appearance twice? These two classic moments made the list.
#56 BETTE MIDLER performs on the second to last episode of JOHNNY CARSON'S TONIGHT SHOW.
and
#19 WE ARE THE WORLD is taped as an HBO special and MTV video immediately after the American Music Awards.
Did you know...
That E! Online reports that Beaches is voted number one! "This story of a childhood friendship that starts on the beach and stands the test of time is the quintessential "chick flick." Ever since it's release in 1988, this movie time and time again has been a movie of friendship that women (okay, many men too) of all ages can relate to.
Did you know...
Bette said, on an interview they did on the making of Drowning Mona on VH1, that she didn't get her license until she was 30 years old, and that was only because she was given a car by her manager.
Did you know...
That the Divine Miss M did a guest appearance on an episode of Sesame Street.
(wondering if she sang "Blueberry Pie" anyone know?)
Did you know...
Marc Shaiman appears in Beaches, playing the piano "Under the Boardwalk" scene you can't miss him.
Did you know...
That many of the women who were known as "Harlettes" have over the years appeared in Ms. M's films?
Charlotte Crossley: Beaches ("Sizzle": the Diva that falls into the pit)
Jennifer Lewis : Beaches ("Sizzle")
Linda Hart: Gypsy, Stella, Get Shorty
Melissa Manchester: For The Boys
Did You know....
The name Bette means "Gods oath."
The name Sophie means "wise/sensible" & Frederika means "Peaceful ruler."
The name Martin means "warlike."
Now THAT is a mix for a household..
Did you know...
Ms. M was an extra in the movie "The Detective" with Fred Astaire.
(Revealed during "You Bette Your Life" on Rosie)
Did you know...
That when Ms. M appeared on the "Rosie O'Donnell Show" promoting ISG, she gave Rosie some "Mider-o-bilia" for auction on Ebay. The items included two Delores Delago Dolls and the outfit worn in the beginning of the emmy winning "Diva Las Vegas " Concert, winning bidder on the outfit also recieved an autographed copy of DLV.
When the auction ended, final totals were $5,900.00.
Each of the dolls sold for $675.00 (that's $1350.00 Total)
The outfit sold for a whopping $4,450.00
All for charity.
Did you know...
What Ms. M had to say about her first kiss??
"Bette: My first kiss was given to me by a very tallll young man in a shirt...I remember it because he had...he always had penguins on his shirts. His mother drove the station wagon. He had his arm around me in the back of the station wagon, and I thought, "What is his mother thinking?"
Did you know...
That Sophie has appeared in many of Ms. Midler's projects?
A few to mention are:
Did you know
In the song "Shiver Me Timbers" there are a few names which came up that some of us had no idea who they were so in the fan club we did a little research here's what we came up with:
From the version on "Songs for the New Depression"
Martin Eden - a book written by Jack London in 1909. His character fights for fame, earns a broken heart, takes off on a ship to the South Seas and commits suicide by jumping overboard.
Later changed to:
Joe Conrad -Joseph Conrad was the author of many adventure stories, and "sea travel/adventure" stories. He is famous for books like "Heart of Darkness"
in both versions:
Captain Ahab- was the Captain in the famous novel Moby Dick, who lost his leg to the famed white whale. (written by Herman Melville)
All these men have the sea in common... so in the line.. "Many before me have been called to the sea.." this is why these men have been included in the song. The song seems to me to be about starting off on an new journey, to get away from the past, and move onto a new future.
Did you know...
"From a Distance" was the most requested song during Operation Desert Storm
Did you know...
That VH1 voted Miss M as 51st of the 100 greatest women in Rock and Roll?
(We all know that she is REALLY at the top!)
Did you know...
During Bette's 1st appearance on Oprah (promoting "Beaches") she revealed this tidbit of trivia.
Iris Rainer Dart (author of the novel Beaches) had actually called up Ms. M BEFORE she wrote the book, telling Bette that she was the inspiration behind the book (and the character CC) and asked if Ms. M would read it when it was done. This means for us who know and LOVE the movie that it had been in the works since about 1980 when Ms. M recieved the call.
Did you know...
Bette's first appearance on stage what in a school play entitled "Our Hearts Were Young and Gay"
Did you know...
That one of Ms. Midler's first well paying jobs in NYC was as a Go-Go Dancer, in leotard, and in a cage at a club. She told Charlie Rose during an interview that she had so much fun doing it, and that when people ask "what do women want" the answer is "To DANCE!"
Did you know...
That on both "Live at Last" (BMS soundtrack) and "the Bette Midler Show" the reason Miss M cries out "Nicky Arnstein.. Nicky Arnstein.." is because she is being lowered in the hands of King Kong, who apparently looks like the actor Omar Sherif, who played Nicky Arnstein, husband to Ms. Streisand's character Fanny Brice in the movie Funny Girl
Did you know...
That during an interview with Regis and Kathy Lee Miss M stated that she would love to work with the following men:
-Jack Nicholson
-Dustin Hoffman
(remember Ol' Red Hair is Back? they sang together ..)
-Al Puchino

-April 3, 1997
Did you know...
Two roles that Miss M was offered but turned down were
Misery & Sister Act. She admitted that she was worried as to what the fans might think so she turned them down. Sister Act she mentioned turnign down because she wasn't sure what fans would think of her in a nun's habit.
-MSNBC with Katie Couric
Did you know ...
The 1st song Bette ever sang was "Silent Night" when she was in 1st grade.
"I didn't know Jews weren't supposed to sing 'Silent Night'"
-Bette Midler (MSNBC with Katie Couric)
Did you know...
Kathy Najimy (Ms. M's costar in Hocus Pocus; and co-stor of "Sister Act") had a Bunny Costume made because she delivered singing telegrams. She went to one of Bette's concerts and Kathy managed to get backstage and pretended to be delivering a singing telegram and got to meet The Divine Miss M herself.
Now, you might ask why is this a relevant bit of trivia...well now you know where the idea for the Bunny singing telegram came from in Beaches.
You may know, that Miss M recieved two Oscar Nominations, for the "Rose" (1980 awards) and for "For The Boys."
But did you know who Miss M was up against in those Best Actress Nominations?


1980 Academy Awards for Best Actress
Nominees in that Category were:

Bette Midler : The Rose
Jill Clayburgh: Starting Over
Jane Fonda: The China Syndrome
Marsha Mason : Chapter Two

and the Oscar went to
Sally Field for Norma Rae... 		1992 Academy Awards for Best Actress
 Nominated were:

Bette : For the Boys
Laura Dern: Rambling Rose
Geena Davis:Thelma and Louise
Susan Serandon : Thelma & Louise

Oscar went to
Jodie Foster for Silence of the Lambs...

The Rose

**BTW she recieved for that role
1980: Golden Globe for Best Actress
1980: Golden Globe for Best Newcomer to Film
1980: Entertainer of the Year from Conference of Personal Managers West
1980: Grammy for Best Pop Vocal (The Rose) **
Did you know..
The Continental Baths, where Miss M found the character the "Divine Miss M", in NYC were located in the Ansonia. Once the Baths were closed down around 1985 due to the "health hazards" involving AIDS, the building was renovated, today it holds the American Musical and Dramatic Academy.
Interesting to note, Actress Tyne Daly, who in 1990 would take the Broadway Stage by STORM in the 30 year revival of "Gypsy" earning a Tony Award, is an AMDA alumni (pre-Ansonia). And Miss M, would follow closely behind Daly, doing the role of Mama Rose not for the stage but for the screen.
Did you know...
In a survey for the top 100 love songs of the 20th Century Bette has two appearances. Her 1980's hit "The Rose" from the movie "The Rose" came in at number 4. And her ballad "Wind Beneath My Wing's" from the 1989 movie "Beaches" recieved the 18th position.
Did you know...
A Kreplach is not REALLY a person from Kreplachia which isn't a very small fishing nation wedged between Astonia and Latvia if the place exists at all.
In fact a Kreplach isn't a person at all. A Kreplach is a triangular shaped dumpling that is usually put into soup (I believe). It can contain ground meat or potatoes and is covered with dough. It is traditional to eat Kreplach on Yom Kippur, Hashana Rabba and Purim.
Did you know...
When Reba McIntyre was asked about seeing Miss M live, she said "It was a fabulous show, Bette is very talented."
And on the "Live By Request" Ms. McIntyre did on A&E she was asked with whom she'd want to record a duet, and her answer was, "Bette Midler."
Did you know...
Shania Twain said she originally intended her hit, "From This Moment On" to be sung by "a powerhouse vocalist like Bette Midler or Celine Dion."

**Note** this is the list "in progress" compiled so far from various sources...
Thank you to those who emailed me with information...
If you have things to add, please feel free to email me**