Bette Midler

Midler in 2014, photo by Joe Seer/Bigstock.com

Place of Birth: Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii (now Hawaii, U.S.)

Date of Birth: December 1, 1945

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Bette Midler is an American singer, songwriter, actress, comedian, and producer. Her roles include The Rose, Down and Out in Beverly Hills, Ruthless People, Hocus Pocus, The First Wives Club, and Then She Found Me. She is known as “The Divine Miss M.”

Bette is the daughter of Ruth (Schindel) and Fred Midler. She was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, to parents originally from New Jersey. Her family is Jewish (from Russia, Poland, Austria-Hungary, and Lithuania). She was named after actress Bette Davis, though pronounces her name a different way.

Bette is married to artist Martin von Haselberg, with whom she has a daughter, actress Sophie von Haselberg.

Bette’s paternal grandfather was named Ruben/Reuben Midler. Ruben was a Russian Jewish immigrant.

Bette’s paternal grandmother was Minnie Friedman/Fortz (who was evidently the daughter of Mayer Fortz and Feigel Cohen). Minnie was a Jewish emigrant from Poland or Lithuania.

Bette’s maternal grandfather was named Israel D. Schindel. Israel was a Jewish emigrant from Austria-Hungary.

Bette’s maternal grandmother was named Fannie Goldberger. Fannie was a Jewish emigrant from Poland.

Source: Genealogy of Bette Midler – https://www.geni.com