In 2026, Bette Midler remains a vibrant fixture in Manhattan, recently seen in the West Village during a sweltering summer day. Now 80, the iconic entertainer continues to wear her silver hair with confidence and leans into her trademark colorful style. Although she sold her $50 million Fifth Avenue penthouse several years ago, Midler’s bond with New York City is unmistakable, and she is still frequently spotted moving through the streets with the same determination she carried in her earliest performing years.
On the professional front, Midler shows no indication of stepping back. She has spoken candidly about her desire to complete EGOT status by finally earning an Oscar, and she has also expressed interest in returning to some of her most celebrated characters. Among the ideas she has floated is a Beaches sequel centered on C.C. Bloom later in life. She has also shown enthusiasm for a possible third Hocus Pocus film, encouraging studios to act quickly while the cast remains eager and available to reunite.
Outside of entertainment, Midler has increasingly positioned herself as a forceful voice in activism. She recently appeared alongside Jane Fonda and Bernie Sanders at the “Elders for Kamala” fundraiser, and she continues to use her large social media platform to push for climate action and stronger political participation.
Her transformation into a widely respected elder public figure highlights a growing emphasis on legacy and influence that extends well beyond the screen.
In her personal life, Midler is getting ready to mark her 42nd wedding anniversary with artist Martin von Haselberg. She has often credited the strength of their long marriage to maintaining independence, sharing humor, and—most famously—sleeping in separate bedrooms. Entering her ninth decade, Midler continues to age on her own terms, staying creative, outspoken, and unmistakably herself.
