Queen Bette Midler Finally Wins Her First Competitive Tony Award

(Photo: Donald Kravitz via Getty Images)
(Photo: Donald Kravitz via Getty Images)

The Divine Miss M just made personal Tonys history.

Bette Midler, star of the Broadway revival of “Hello, Dolly!,” won her first competitive Tony award on Sunday night, taking home the statuette for Best Actress in a Musical. She’d previously won a special (non-competitive) award in 1974 for “adding lustre to the Broadway season,” but, at 71, she finally nabbed the recognition she deserved.

“I’m so privileged. I’m so honored,” she said as she accepted her award. “I hope I don’t cry,” she added, before joking about dating most of the Tony voters.

Midler’s speech was probably one of the longest of the night ― the orchestra attempted to play her off, but she continued speaking, outlasting the musical crescendo. “Shut that crap off,” she yelled at one point.

“Revival is an interesting word,” she could be heard saying when the music stopped. “It means ‘near death.’”

She wrapped up by telling audiences that “Hello, Dolly!” had never really gone away, encouraging everyone to see the classic show.

Bette Middler circa 1970. (Photo: Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images)
Bette Middler circa 1970. (Photo: Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images)

Born in 1945, Midler made her Broadway debut in “Fiddler on the Roof” in 1964. Throughout out her decadeslong career in show business, the singer-songwriter-actor-comedian won several Grammys and Emmys, leaving her one letter away from the coveted EGOT designation. She’s been twice-nominated for an Oscar for her roles in “The Rose” and “For the Boys,” but has yet to secure an Academy Award.

In fact, in 1979, Midler lost an Oscar to “Norma Rae” actress Sally Field, who, this year, was also nominated for a Tony for Best Actress in a Play for her role in “The Glass Menagerie.” But Field lost the award to”A Doll’s House, Part 2” actress Laurie Metcalf. So ... what goes around, comes around?

“Hello, Dolly!,” based on Thornton Wilder’s 1938 play “The Merchant of Yonkers,” was famously adapted into a movie starring Barbra Streisand. It tells the story of a matchmaker, Dolly Levi ― played by Midler in the 2017 production ― a professional meddler who falls for a “client,” the grumpy near-millionaire Horace Vandergelder.

Check out more of the 2017 Tony Award winners here.

Bette Midler at the 2017 Tony Awards. (Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris via Getty Images)
Bette Midler at the 2017 Tony Awards. (Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris via Getty Images)

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A Complete List Of The 2016 Tony Award Winners

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Here Are The 2017 Tony Award Nominations

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 11: Andrew Rannells and Christian Borle perform with the cast of 'Falsettos' onstage during the 2017 Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 11, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 11: Andrew Rannells and Christian Borle perform with the cast of 'Falsettos' onstage during the 2017 Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 11, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 11:  Kevin Spacey  performs onstage during the 2017 Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 11, 2017 in New York City.  (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 11: Kevin Spacey performs onstage during the 2017 Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 11, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 11:  Kevin Spacey and Stephen Colbert  perform onstage during the 2017 Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 11, 2017 in New York City.  (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 11: Kevin Spacey and Stephen Colbert perform onstage during the 2017 Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 11, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 11:  Kevin Spacey  performs onstage during the 2017 Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 11, 2017 in New York City.  (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 11: Kevin Spacey performs onstage during the 2017 Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 11, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 11:  Kevin Spacey  performs onstage during the 2017 Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 11, 2017 in New York City.  (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 11: Kevin Spacey performs onstage during the 2017 Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 11, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 11:  David Hyde Pierce performs onstage with the cast of 'Hello, Dolly!' during the 2017 Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 11, 2017 in New York City.  (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 11: David Hyde Pierce performs onstage with the cast of 'Hello, Dolly!' during the 2017 Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 11, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)
Sally Field attends the 2017 Tony Awards - Red Carpet at Radio City Music Hall on June 11, 2017 in New York City.  / AFP PHOTO / ANGELA WEISS        (Photo credit should read ANGELA WEISS/AFP/Getty Images)
Sally Field attends the 2017 Tony Awards - Red Carpet at Radio City Music Hall on June 11, 2017 in New York City. / AFP PHOTO / ANGELA WEISS (Photo credit should read ANGELA WEISS/AFP/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 11:  Ben Platt performs onstage during the 2017 Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 11, 2017 in New York City.  (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 11: Ben Platt performs onstage during the 2017 Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 11, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)
Gavin Creel, winner of the award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical for ?Hello, Dolly!, poses in the press room during the 2017 Tony Awards at 3 West Club on June 11, 2017 in New York City. / AFP PHOTO / ANGELA WEISS        (Photo credit should read ANGELA WEISS/AFP/Getty Images)
Gavin Creel, winner of the award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical for ?Hello, Dolly!, poses in the press room during the 2017 Tony Awards at 3 West Club on June 11, 2017 in New York City. / AFP PHOTO / ANGELA WEISS (Photo credit should read ANGELA WEISS/AFP/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 11:  Scarlett Johansson attends the 2017 Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 11, 2017 in New York City.  (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 11: Scarlett Johansson attends the 2017 Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 11, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 11:  Christine Ebersole and Patti LuPone perform with the cast of 'War Paint' onstage during the 2017 Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 11, 2017 in New York City.  (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 11: Christine Ebersole and Patti LuPone perform with the cast of 'War Paint' onstage during the 2017 Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 11, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 11:  Sara Bareilles attends the 71st Annual Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 11, 2017 in New York City.  (Photo by Walter McBride/WireImage)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 11: Sara Bareilles attends the 71st Annual Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 11, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Walter McBride/WireImage)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 11:  Actress Laura Linney attends the 71st Annual Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 11, 2017 in New York City.  (Photo by Jim Spellman/WireImage)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 11: Actress Laura Linney attends the 71st Annual Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 11, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Jim Spellman/WireImage)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 11:  Josh Groban and Lucas Steele perform onstage with the cast of 'Natasha, Pierre and The Great Comet of 1812' onstage during the 2017 Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 11, 2017 in New York City.  (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 11: Josh Groban and Lucas Steele perform onstage with the cast of 'Natasha, Pierre and The Great Comet of 1812' onstage during the 2017 Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 11, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 11:  Cynthia Erivo and Leslie Odom Jr. perform with the Rockettes onstage during the 2017 Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 11, 2017 in New York City.  (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 11: Cynthia Erivo and Leslie Odom Jr. perform with the Rockettes onstage during the 2017 Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 11, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 11:  Cynthia Nixon, winner of the award for Best Featured Actress in a Play for “The Little Foxes,” poses with Christine Marinoni outside the press room during the 2017 Tony Awards at 3 West Club on June 11, 2017 in New York City.  (Photo by Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 11: Cynthia Nixon, winner of the award for Best Featured Actress in a Play for “The Little Foxes,” poses with Christine Marinoni outside the press room during the 2017 Tony Awards at 3 West Club on June 11, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 11:  The Radio City Rockettes perform onstage during the 2017 Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 11, 2017 in New York City.  (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 11: The Radio City Rockettes perform onstage during the 2017 Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 11, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 11:  Jill Biden speaks onstage during the 2017 Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 11, 2017 in New York City.  (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 11: Jill Biden speaks onstage during the 2017 Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 11, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 11:  The cast of 'Bandstand' performs onstage during the 2017 Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 11, 2017 in New York City.  (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 11: The cast of 'Bandstand' performs onstage during the 2017 Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 11, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 11:  Stephen Colbert speaks onstage during the 2017 Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 11, 2017 in New York City.  (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 11: Stephen Colbert speaks onstage during the 2017 Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 11, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 11:  Jill Biden, Former Vice President Joe Biden, Mariska Hargitay and Anna Kendrick attend the 2017 Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 11, 2017 in New York City.  (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 11: Jill Biden, Former Vice President Joe Biden, Mariska Hargitay and Anna Kendrick attend the 2017 Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 11, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 11: John Mulaney and Nick Kroll attend the 2017 Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 11, 2017 in New York City.  (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 11: John Mulaney and Nick Kroll attend the 2017 Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 11, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 11:  Glenn Close presents Bette Midler with the award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical for “Hello, Dolly!” onstage during the 2017 Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 11, 2017 in New York City.  (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 11: Glenn Close presents Bette Midler with the award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical for “Hello, Dolly!” onstage during the 2017 Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 11, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)
Anna Kendrick attends the 2017 Tony Awards - Red Carpet at Radio City Music Hall on June 11, 2017 in New York City.  / AFP PHOTO / ANGELA WEISS        (Photo credit should read ANGELA WEISS/AFP/Getty Images)
Anna Kendrick attends the 2017 Tony Awards - Red Carpet at Radio City Music Hall on June 11, 2017 in New York City. / AFP PHOTO / ANGELA WEISS (Photo credit should read ANGELA WEISS/AFP/Getty Images)
Mark Hamill attends the 2017 Tony Awards - Red Carpet at Radio City Music Hall on June 11, 2017 in New York City.  / AFP PHOTO / ANGELA WEISS        (Photo credit should read ANGELA WEISS/AFP/Getty Images)
Mark Hamill attends the 2017 Tony Awards - Red Carpet at Radio City Music Hall on June 11, 2017 in New York City. / AFP PHOTO / ANGELA WEISS (Photo credit should read ANGELA WEISS/AFP/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 11:  Chrissy Teigen and John Legend attend the 2017 Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 11, 2017 in New York City.  (Photo by Jenny Anderson/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 11: Chrissy Teigen and John Legend attend the 2017 Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 11, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Jenny Anderson/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 11:  Ben Platt performs onstage during the 2017 Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 11, 2017 in New York City.  (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 11: Ben Platt performs onstage during the 2017 Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 11, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 11:  Host Kevin Spacey speaks onstage during the 2017 Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 11, 2017 in New York City.  (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 11: Host Kevin Spacey speaks onstage during the 2017 Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 11, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 11:  (L-R) Kevin Spacey, Robin Wright, and Lin-Manuel Miranda speak onstage during the 2017 Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 11, 2017 in New York City.  (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 11: (L-R) Kevin Spacey, Robin Wright, and Lin-Manuel Miranda speak onstage during the 2017 Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 11, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 11: Justin Paul and Benj Pasek  attend the 2017 Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 11, 2017 in New York City.  (Photo by Jenny Anderson/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 11: Justin Paul and Benj Pasek attend the 2017 Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 11, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Jenny Anderson/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 11:  Rebecca Taichman, winner of the award for Best Direction of a Play for “Indecent,” poses in the press room during the 2017 Tony Awards at 3 West Club on June 11, 2017 in New York City.  (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 11: Rebecca Taichman, winner of the award for Best Direction of a Play for “Indecent,” poses in the press room during the 2017 Tony Awards at 3 West Club on June 11, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 11:  Katrina Lenk attends the 2017 Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 11, 2017 in New York City.  (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 11: Katrina Lenk attends the 2017 Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 11, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 11:  Lynne Meadow and Barry Grove accept the award for Best Revival of a Play for “August Wilson’s Jitney” onstage during the 2017 Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 11, 2017 in New York City.  (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 11: Lynne Meadow and Barry Grove accept the award for Best Revival of a Play for “August Wilson’s Jitney” onstage during the 2017 Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 11, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 11:  Rodney Hicks (L), Sharon Wheatley (C) and Lee MacDougall (R) perform with The Rockettes onstage during the 2017 Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 11, 2017 in New York City.  (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 11: Rodney Hicks (L), Sharon Wheatley (C) and Lee MacDougall (R) perform with The Rockettes onstage during the 2017 Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 11, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 11:  Jason Sudeikis and Olivia Wilde attend the 71st Annual Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 11, 2017 in New York City.  (Photo by Walter McBride/WireImage)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 11: Jason Sudeikis and Olivia Wilde attend the 71st Annual Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 11, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Walter McBride/WireImage)

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