Bette Midler, at 39, proposed to Martin von Haselberg after just six weeks of dating. They swiftly wed in Las Vegas, with an Elvis impersonator officiating for $45. Despite challenges, their nearly 40-year marriage is a testament to enduring love. Learn more about this remarkable couple who have outlasted many Hollywood marriages!
Midler, already a Grammy, Golden Globe, and Tony winner, met von Haselberg, then 35, in 1984. They eloped to Las Vegas shortly after Midler’s proposal, exchanging vows at the Starlight Chapel with Elvis officiating.
The Hocus Pocus star reminisced about her $45 wedding at 2:00 am, where they were joined by an Elvis impersonator. Insisting on a wardrobe change for her husband-to-be, they exchanged vows with Nino Rota’s music playing in the background. Two years later, they welcomed their daughter Sophie, now 36. Despite having no photos until recently, the couple’s spur-of-the-moment decision turned out to be a great one.
After over 30 years of marriage, Midler received a surprise: long-lost wedding photos from the Starlight Chapel. Despite challenges, they’ll celebrate their 40th anniversary next year. Midler admits their early years were marked by compromise, especially after the birth of their daughter, Sophie. Von Haselberg left his job to support Midler’s career and raise Sophie, prioritizing family above all else. Midler praises him as the “greatest father.”
Midler praises her husband as an exceptional father and caregiver, noting his sacrifices over the years. She admits to learning the importance of compromise and accountability, especially in listening and avoiding blame. In 2020, they joyfully walked their daughter down the aisle at her wedding, albeit with a limited guest list due to Covid-19.
“It was so sweet. They had a great time,” Midler said of her daughter and son-in-law, Harry J. N. Guinness. “They stayed up all night and they drank. They had a ball.”
If you’re wondering, Elvis did not make an appearance.
We love hearing about couples who are so committed to one another that they find a way to make it work, which is very rare in Hollywood today.
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