Every corner of Lauren Bacall’s apartment in New York City’s iconic Dakota building was adorned with art, photographs, trinkets, and cherished memories from her extraordinary life. “When I was younger, I thought, ‘If I could just have this, buy that!’ Then I could, and I went crazy and bought 90 of everything,” she admitted in 1971. “But let me tell you, I worked my tail off for every penny I earned.”
Even the opportunities that seemed effortless came with their own challenges. Her breakout role in the 1944 film To Have and Have Not catapulted her into stardom at just 19 years old and sparked her legendary romance with co-star Humphrey Bogart. Though marriage and motherhood slowed her career, she cherished those years. “I was thrilled to be his wife. I loved it,” she reflected in 2011. “Because I truly loved him.” However, Bogart's passing 13 years later left her a widow at 32, raising two small children alone.
A Life Lived Fully Amidst Fame and Fortune
Through the years, Lauren, born Betty Joan Perske, worked tirelessly to maintain her authenticity despite the weight of her celebrity status. “She didn’t fall victim to the typical Hollywood star syndrome,” Sally Quinn, author and contributor to The Washington Post, exclusively shared with Closer. She insisted her closest friends call her Betty rather than by her stage name. “She didn’t require special treatment,” Quinn explains. “She was part of the group and had a great sense of humor.”
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Charisma and Celebrity Friendships
Lauren’s charm extended beyond her acting career. She mingled effortlessly with other stars, including Anjelica Huston and Barbra Streisand, who cast her as her mother in the 1996 film The Mirror Has Two Faces, earning her a single Oscar nomination. Lauren also counted Ted Kennedy among her friends, and his signed lithograph of a daffodil painting he made for his wife adorned her walls.
"Betty had this magnetic presence,” Quinn recalls fondly, remembering their first meeting in the Hamptons decades ago. “Of course, there was that deep, husky voice that captivated everyone. She was irresistibly sexy and knew exactly how to flirt. She was witty, intelligent, teasing, and a blast to be around.”
Laughter and Light in Challenging Times
The pair shared countless laughs over the years, such as the time Lauren accidentally summoned the fire department to Quinn’s home during a New Year’s Eve party preparation. “The firefighters rushed upstairs to Betty’s room, and there she was in her underwear!” Quinn laughs. “They were thrilled, and she thought it was hilarious!”
Lauren’s playful side wasn't limited to social gatherings. At Quinn’s late husband Ben Bradlee’s annual birthday parties, Lauren delivered a cheeky toast. “She’d raise her glass and say, ‘From my eyes to your eyes, from my lips to your lips. If I’m asleep, wake me. If I don’t want to — make me!’” Quinn remembers. “Everyone would roar with laughter, while Ben would look flustered yet delighted.”
Romantic Setbacks and Career Resilience
Despite her immense appeal, Lauren’s romantic life faced numerous setbacks. Her engagement to Frank Sinatra dissolved due to a misunderstanding, and her second marriage to actor Jason Robards, father of her youngest son, actor Sam Robards, lasted only eight years. “She didn’t have much luck with men,” Quinn admits. “I think it was because she was such a strong, famous, iconic woman. Many men were intimidated by her.”
Still, Lauren understood she couldn’t rely solely on her fame to support her family. Raised by a single, immigrant mother, she had to hustle. “She was always working or looking for work, no matter how old she got,” Quinn recalls. Throughout her career, Lauren appeared in nearly 50 films, performed on Broadway, guest-starred on TV, and did voiceovers for commercials. “She wasn’t too proud to take roles where she wasn’t the lead,” Quinn notes. “She needed to provide for herself.”
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A Devoted Mother and Legacy
Lauren raised her children, Stephen Bogart, 73, daughter Leslie Bogart, 70, and Sam, 60, mostly on her own. “She was an incredibly dedicated mother who went above and beyond for them,” Quinn shares.
Adam Green, a journalist and family friend, observed her struggles. “Like so many single moms, she juggled her career with being there for her kids,” Green exclusively tells Closer. “She could be tough and even rude at times, but it all stemmed from a place of insecurity and vulnerability. She felt responsible for herself and her family.”
Lauren worried about how her fame affected her family. “Steve, my eldest, struggled to carve out an identity beyond being Humphrey Bogart’s son,” Lauren once said. Her daughter Leslie chose a quieter path, working as an emergency room nurse and staying out of the spotlight. Only her son Sam followed in his parents’ footsteps as an actor. “Their relationship had its complexities, but they clearly loved each other,” Green says. “In her final years, Sam was incredibly supportive and present for her.”
Lauren, who passed away in 2014, sought to pass on her wisdom to her six grandchildren, whom she adored. “She expected the best and made sure you knew it if you weren’t giving it,” grandson Jamie Bogart explains.
