#25: The Difficult Decision Faced by Bette Davis

Hollywood’s golden age wasn’t all glamour—it had a brutal, controlling side, especially for its leading ladies. Studios dictated every aspect of a starlet’s life, including their right to motherhood. In 1934, Bette Davis faced a devastating choice: keep her pregnancy or protect her career.

Under immense pressure, she complied, sacrificing personal happiness to preserve her goddess-like image and box office appeal. Reflecting on Hollywood’s relentless demands, Davis later remarked that the industry didn’t just wear down one’s shoes—it crushed the spirit.