Bentley Gladys Vedic birth chart profile
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✨ Virgo Lagna

Bentley Gladys

• Remembering (Jan 8, 1960)

★ August 12, 1907 · Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
2views
☽
Moon Sign
Virgo
Uttara Phalguni
☀
Sun Sign
Cancer
Ashlesha
↑
Ascendant
Virgo
Hasta
✦
Nakshatra
Uttara Phalguni
Birth Star
EntertainmentEntertain/MusicCareer - EmployedStart young less than 16SingerTravel for workSkills - Multi-facetedDestiny Number 2
Biography

Who is Bentley Gladys?

American blues singer, pianist, and entertainer during the Harlem Renaissance. Bentley wore masculine attire and was openly lesbian early in her career, but during the McCarthy Era she started wearing dresses and married, claiming to have been "cured" by taking female hormones. She moved to New York City from Philadelphia at the age of 16. Her career skyrocketed when she appeared at Harry Hansberrys Clam House in New York in the 1920s, as a black, lesbian, cross-dressing performer. She headlined in the early 1930s at Harlems Ubangi Club, where she was backed up by a chorus line of drag queens. She dressed in mens clothes (including a signature tuxedo and top hat), played piano, and sang her own raunchy lyrics to popular tunes of the day in a deep, growling voice while flirting with women in the audience. She toured the country, some destinations being Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Chicago, and Hollywood, where she was well liked by Cesar Romero, Hugh Herbert, Cary Grant, Barbara Stanwyck, and other celebrities. On the decline of the Harlem speakeasies with the repeal of Prohibition, she relocated to southern California, where she was billed as "Americas Greatest Sepia Piano Player" and the "Brown Bomber of Sophisticated Songs". She was frequently harassed for wearing mens clothing. She tried to continue her musical career but did not achieve as much success as she had had in the past. Bentley died of pneumonia unexpectedly at her home in Los Angeles on 8 January 1960, aged 52. Link to Wikipedia biography
Latest Info

Latest Updates

Update at: Apr 1, 2026

Public Profile: Gladys Bentley

Birth: August 12, 1907 • Philadelphia, United States

Overview

Gladys Bentley was an American blues singer and pianist who rose to prominence in the Harlem jazz scene during the late 1920s and 1930s. Noted for a bold, gender-nonconforming stage persona and for addressing queer themes in her performances, Bentley is recognized as a pioneering figure in early LGBTQ+ performance history and African American music.

News

As a historical figure, contemporary news coverage is limited. Bentley is typically discussed within archival and scholarly contexts rather than current events. Recent attention generally comes from retrospectives on Harlem jazz, gender performance history, and LGBTQ+ cultural heritage.

Publications, Projects & Media

There are no modern film or television projects centered on Gladys Bentley. Her legacy survives through archival recordings, music history scholarship, and museum/library collections that study early women in jazz, queer performance, and the Harlem Renaissance era.

Social Media & Online Presence

There are no official social media profiles for Gladys Bentley. Online information is typically via academic articles, historical archives, and museum resources. Fans and researchers may find archival pages or entries devoted to her within broader historical timelines.

Selected Legacy & Impact

  • Pioneering figure in gender-nonconforming performance within early American jazz.
  • Contributed to the cultural history of the Harlem Renaissance and LGBTQ+ history.
  • Subject of scholarly inquiry, museum retrospectives, and archival music Preservation efforts.
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Vedic Planet Analysis

Astrologer Reviewed

Bentley Gladys's planet-by-planet horoscope reading. Select a planet below to read its detailed Vedic interpretation.

Ascendant1st

Ascendant Represents AS

The Ascendant (Lagna) in Vedic astrology represents the self, physical body, personality, and how we interact with the world. It defines our core identity, health, and the first impression we make on others. The sign rising on the eastern horizon at the moment of birth becomes the Ascendant, influencing our temperament and approach to life. Its ruler significantly shapes how we express ourselves and respond to our environment.
◈ Astrologer Reviewed

Bentley Gladys birth chart analysis for Ascendant

In Vedic astrology, the Natal Lagna (Ascendant) in Virgo and in Hasta Nakshatra suggests a person with a meticulous, analytical, and detail-oriented nature. Virgo, an earth sign ruled by Mercury, endows individuals with practicality, a strong sense of duty, and a penchant for organization. Hasta Nakshatra, symbolized by an open hand, further enhances qualities of dexterity, skillfulness, and a nurturing demeanor. Individuals with this placement are likely to excel in professions requiring precision and attention to detail, such as healthcare, accounting, or craftsmanship. The placement of the Lagna Lord Mercury in the 11th house in Cancer and Pusya Nakshatra significantly influences the native's life path. The 11th house is associated with gains, social networks, and aspirations. Mercury’s position here indicates a person who is communicative, intellectually driven, and capable of forming beneficial social and professional connections. This placement suggests that the native may achieve success through networking, collaboration, and leveraging friendships. Mercury in Cancer indicates a sensitive and intuitive communication style. The native might often rely on emotional intelligence to navigate social situations, making them empathetic and understanding. Pusya Nakshatra, symbolized by the udders of a cow, is known for its nourishing, protective, and benevolent qualities. This enhances the native’s ability to provide support and guidance to others, potentially making them a trusted advisor or mentor within their community. Overall, this astrological configuration suggests a person with a strong analytical mind, adept at forming and maintaining relationships that further their goals. They are likely to find fulfillment and prosperity through their ability to communicate effectively and nurture the growth of their social and professional circles. Their journey involves balancing their practical skills with emotional sensitivity, ultimately leading to personal and communal growth.

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Which planetary combinations are in Bentley Gladys's birth chart?

2 FOUND

Bentley Gladys's chart shows 2 challenging combinations.

Planetary Combinations
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What do Bentley Gladys's numerology numbers say?

Bentley Gladys's core numbers are Destiny 2, Soul Urge 5, Personality 3, Kabbalah Number 4.

◎Destiny
2

Chaldean Destiny 2 indicates success through cooperation and harmony. It supports mediation, supportive leadership, and partnership-based growth.

❖Soul Urge
5

Chaldean Soul 5 desires freedom and variety. It seeks change, movement, experiences, and space to explore life.

◇Personality
3

Chaldean Personality 3 appears expressive, social, and creative. Others often see charm, optimism, and communication skills.

∞Kabbalah Number
4

Kabbalah Number 4 reflects an inner spiritual code of structure and stability. It supports discipline, grounded effort, and dependable progress.

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Life Events & Planetary Transits

Key events mapped against the active Dasha and planetary transits at the time.

1960
Death
Death by Disease 8 January 1960 (Pneumonia, age 52)
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