Bette Midler named recipient of 2026 Woody Guthrie Prize

Bette Midler has been named the recipient of the 2026 Woody Guthrie Prize. Presented by the Woody Guthrie Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the award honors artists who exemplify Guthrie’s spirit by advocating for the less fortunate and serving as a force for social change through various art forms.

Midler is being recognized for her advocacy regarding humanitarian causes, LGBTQ+ rights, and environmental conservation. She is scheduled to receive the prize on October 16 at Cain’s Ballroom in Tulsa during a fundraising event that will feature a conversation between Midler and journalist Rona Elliott.

Past recipients of the prize include artists such as Bruce Springsteen, U2, and John Mellencamp.