As the #MeToo movement continues to shed light on the pervasive issue of sexual assault, Bette Midler has bravely come forward with her own unsettling account from the 1970s involving media personality Geraldo Rivera. In a recent tweet, Midler shared a video clip from a 1991 interview with Barbara Walters, where she detailed a harrowing incident in which Rivera and his producer allegedly drugged and groped her.
Coincidentally, today marks the birthday of The Divine Miss M, making her revelation particularly poignant as she adds Rivera’s name to the growing list of men who have misused their power to exploit women. In the video, Midler recounts how the two men isolated her in a bathroom, where they “broke two poppers and pushed them under my nose” before proceeding to assault her. Despite her initial apprehension about sharing her experience, she felt compelled to speak out.
Midler’s comments come in light of Rivera’s recent defense of another disgraced media figure, Matt Lauer, amid serious allegations against him that led to his dismissal. Rivera’s remarks, which included dismissing the accounts of women as “an epidemic… of criminalizing courtship,” prompted outrage. He further suggested that women might have ulterior motives when sharing their stories, which only added to the backlash he faced.
In response to Rivera’s comments, Midler shared the video, stating, “Geraldo may have apologized for his tweets supporting Matt Lauer, but he has yet to apologize for this.” Her testimony underscores the importance of women feeling empowered to speak out about their experiences, as more voices join the chorus demanding accountability.
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In summary, Midler’s revelation serves as a reminder of the ongoing fight against harassment and abuse. As we continue to listen to women’s stories, let’s hope for a future where such accounts become a thing of the past.