Bette Midler’s whirlwind romance and enduring marriage to Martin von Haselberg is a story that goes beyond the typical Hollywood relationship stories. Meeting and deciding to marry within just six weeks, their union began with a spontaneous Las Vegas wedding officiated by an Elvis impersonator. Despite their unconventional beginnings, their nearly four-decade-long journey together is marked by determination, compromise, and a deep love that has stood the test of time. As they approach their 40th anniversary, their story is a testament to the power of love and the resilience needed to sustain a lasting partnership. Let’s delve into the details of this extraordinary couple’s life and the lessons it offers about enduring love.
Bette Midler, 39, proposed to Martin von Haselberg after just six weeks of dating.
After accepting her proposal, the 77-year-old singer and Argentine-born von Haselberg rushed to a Las Vegas church and paid $45 to be married by an Elvis impersonator, who was also the only attendee. As an ode to unwavering love and commitment, the stunning couple admits that the previous nearly 40 years have not been easy, but they “stayed together until it got better, and it did.”
Find out more about this incredible couple – who have survived many other Hollywood marriages – by continuing to read! When Bette Midler first met 35-year-old Martin von Haselberg in 1984, she was already a Grammy, Golden Globe, and Tony winner in addition to her remarkable acting skills. After just six weeks of courtship, The Rose star, 39, sealed the deal and asked the Argentinian to marry her.
Elvis performed the couple’s wedding ceremony at the Starlight Chapel after they eloped to Las Vegas. The Hocus Pocus actress recalled a 2 a.m. wedding that cost just $45 and required her fiance to change clothes. “My wedding was two people — my husband and I — and of course an Elvis impersonator who married us,” she said.
“I told him I wouldn’t marry him in this outfit after he got all wrapped up in it. He had to change into new clothes, after which we proceeded to one of the small churches to get a license. The beach star mentioned Nino Rota, who composed the soundtrack for The Godfather trilogy, saying, “We had a tape of Nino Rota’s music…and we walked down the aisle.”
“Spur of the moment” marriage turned out to be a wise choice. The couple’s only child, Sophie, 36, is an actor with credits in Woody Allen’s 2015 film Irrational Man. The couple welcomed Sophie into the world just two years later.
However, the “The Rose” singer and her artist husband, who became famous for his roles in the 1980s film Kipper Kids, were missing wedding pictures until a few years ago.
Then came a surprise in the mail after almost thirty years of marriage.
“It looks like there was a photographer there,” Midler elaborated on Jimmy Kimmel Live in 2021. “They sent us pictures when the Starlight Chapel closed its doors about five years ago. We never saw those pictures before that.”
Not every year after that day was easy.
The “Wind Beneath My Wings” singer revealed that her and von Haselberg’s decision to be Sophie’s best parents once mostly hinged on compromise as they approach their 40th wedding anniversary next year.
Midler told Closer, “We used to fight bitterly,” but she also said that having Sophie helped them refocus their goals. “We decided that having children was something we wanted to do. We never intended to harm a child. We stayed together until things got better, which they did.”
According to von Haselberg, prioritizing the family was essential. In order to help his wife work and support their daughter, the former actor left his career as a commodities trader. “There was a conscious effort to create exactly the kind of life we have,” he adds.
Meanwhile, the First Wives Club star is smitten with her husband, referring to him as “the greatest dad”.
“My husband is most likely the best father who ever lived. He was [Sophia’s] foreign language teacher. “He took care of me for a long, long time. He taught her to cook,” Midler continued. He made many sacrifices.”
Midler responds by accepting compromises, something the independent lady hasn’t done before.
“It’s incredibly hard to listen. And to make concessions.”
The Stepford Wives actress stated, “The hardest thing of all is compromise,” and she also learned responsibility. I think the worst is guilt…It’s because you want to avoid taking the burden yourself. Your wish is to assign it to someone else. Honestly, you have to learn to avoid it.
The ecstatic parents were “over the moon” as they carried their daughter down the aisle at her 2020 wedding, which had just 11 guests due to COVID-19.
It was really charming. Of her daughter and son-in-law, Harry J.N. Guinness, Midler noted, “They had a great time.” “They drank and stayed up all night. They had a great time.”
In case you were wondering, Elvis was not present.
Since it’s so rare in modern Hollywood to find a couple so committed to each other that they make it, we love hearing about stories like this.
Bette Midler and Martin von Haselberg’s love story is a testament to enduring love and commitment. Despite a tumultuous start to their relationship, eloping just six weeks after meeting, they built a life together that spanned nearly four decades. Their journey has not been without its challenges, but their ability to compromise and put family first has kept them strong.
Their one-of-a-kind wedding, officiated by an Elvis impersonator, set the tone for a marriage full of unconventional yet meaningful moments. The couple’s decision to focus on their daughter’s well-being and von Haselberg’s to make significant sacrifices in his career underscores their commitment to family. Midler’s admiration for her husband’s parenting and their mutual support has strengthened their bond over the years.
As they approach their 40th wedding anniversary, Midler and von Haselberg continue to inspire with their story of love that has stood the test of time. Their ability to laugh, compromise, and love each other proved that true love can flourish against the odds. Their story is a beautiful reminder that with mutual respect and dedication, love can truly last a lifetime.