Skip to Content

Best Lauren Bacall quotes to live by

Hollywood legend Lauren Bacall has died at the age of 89, leaving an endless string of smart, funny and inspirational one-liners behind her. Here are our favourite Lauren Bacall quotes to live a glamorous life by
By Amy Lewis
Sleeve, Eyebrow, Style, Monochrome, Eyelash, Long hair, Monochrome photography, Black-and-white, Flash photography, Fashion model,
1

Lauren Bacall on ageing

Nose, Cheek, Hairstyle, Chin, Forehead, Eyebrow, Mammal, Collar, Iris, Pleased,
‘I think your whole life shows in your face and you should be proud of that.’

Like this? You'll love...

How to learn to love your body

Behind the scenes on our Jerry Hall cover shoot

More GH women and inspiring interviews
2

Hello scene with Humphrey Bogart in The Big Sleep

Ear, Arm, Hand, Interaction, Love, Romance, Monochrome photography, Wrist, Black hair, Gesture,
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
3

Lauren Bacall on men

Photograph, Sitting, Interaction, Monochrome, Love, Monochrome photography, Lap, Black-and-white, Romance, Vintage clothing,
‘Find me a man who's interesting enough to have dinner with and I'll be happy.’

Like this? You'll love...

How to learn to love your body

Behind the scenes on our Jerry Hall cover shoot

More GH women and inspiring interviews
4

Lauren Bacall on fiancé Frank Sinatra

Face, Textile, Hat, Outerwear, Coat, Style, Collar, Formal wear, Fashion, Monochrome,
‘I wish Frank Sinatra would just shut up and sing.’

Like this? You'll love...

How to learn to love your body

Behind the scenes on our Jerry Hall cover shoot

More GH women and inspiring interviews
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
5

Lauren Bacall on imagination

Lip, Red, Eyelash, Comfort, Beauty, Couch, Wrist, Fashion model, Model, Long hair,
‘Imagination is the highest kite that can fly.’ – from her autobiography By Myself And Then Some.

Like this? You'll love...

How to learn to love your body

Behind the scenes on our Jerry Hall cover shoot

More GH women and inspiring interviews
6

Lauren Bacall on life

Sitting, Human leg, White, Monochrome, Beauty, Foot, Knee, Monochrome photography, Outdoor furniture, Black-and-white,
‘Here is a test to find out whether your mission in life is complete. If you’re alive, it isn’t.’

Like this? You'll love...

How to learn to love your body

Behind the scenes on our Jerry Hall cover shoot

More GH women and inspiring interviews
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
7

Lauren Bacall on marriage

Human body, Sitting, Shoulder, Style, Elbow, Knee, Jewellery, Monochrome, Youth, Chest,
‘I don't sit around thinking that I'd like to have another husband; only another man would make me think that way.’

Like this? You'll love...

How to learn to love your body

Behind the scenes on our Jerry Hall cover shoot

More GH women and inspiring interviews
8

Lauren Bacall on loving yourself

People, Hat, Facial expression, Style, Suit, Sun hat, Cowboy hat, Monochrome, Monochrome photography, Fedora,
‘I’m not ashamed of what I am – of how I pass through this life. What I am has given me the strength to do it.’

‘I don’t like everything I know about myself, and I’ll never be satisfied, but nobody’s perfect. I’m not sure where the next years will take me – what they will hold – but I’m open to suggestions.’

Like this? You'll love...

How to learn to love your body

Behind the scenes on our Jerry Hall cover shoot

More GH women and inspiring interviews
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
9

Lauren Bacall on fighting for what you want

Sleeve, Eyebrow, Style, Monochrome, Eyelash, Long hair, Monochrome photography, Black-and-white, Flash photography, Fashion model,
‘You don’t always win your battles, but it’s good to know you fought.’

Like this? You'll love...

How to learn to love your body

Behind the scenes on our Jerry Hall cover shoot

More GH women and inspiring interviews
10

Lauren Bacall on the future

Nose, Lip, Eye, Eyebrow, Eyelash, Style, Iris, Monochrome photography, Beauty, Monochrome,
‘I am not a has-been. I am a will be.’

Like this? You'll love...

How to learn to love your body

Behind the scenes on our Jerry Hall cover shoot

More GH women and inspiring interviews
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
11

Lauren Bacall on compromise

Leg, Shoulder, Dress, Shoe, Pink, One-piece garment, Waist, Beauty, Thigh, Day dress,
‘You can't always be a leading lady.’

Like this? You'll love...

How to learn to love your body

Behind the scenes on our Jerry Hall cover shoot

More GH women and inspiring interviews
12

Lauren Bacall on contentment

Lip, Hairstyle, Eyebrow, Style, Monochrome photography, Monochrome, Eyelash, Black-and-white, Portrait, Portrait photography,
‘I figure if I have my health, can pay the rent and I have my friends, I call it content.’

Like this? You'll love...

How to learn to love your body

Behind the scenes on our Jerry Hall cover shoot

More GH women and inspiring interviews
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
13

Lauren Bacall on Tom Cruise and celebrities

Clothing, Leg, Hairstyle, Shoe, Trousers, Human body, Jacket, Collar, Sitting, Outerwear,
‘It's inappropriate and vulgar and absolutely unacceptable to use your private life to sell anything commercially.’

Like this? You'll love...

How to learn to love your body

Behind the scenes on our Jerry Hall cover shoot

More GH women and inspiring interviews
Watch Next 
Sleeve, Eyebrow, Style, Monochrome, Eyelash, Long hair, Monochrome photography, Black-and-white, Flash photography, Fashion model,
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Lifestyle

claudia winkleman celebrity traitors outfits

Get Claudia Winkleman's Celeb Traitors looks

london, england february 14: alan carr attends the the reluctant traveller european premiere at everyman borough yards on february 14, 2023 in london, england. (photo by karwai tang/wireimage)

8 “must-listen” podcasts that will reset your mood

woman wearing a red sweater and white shorts against a light green background

Davina McCall shares 7 simple strength exercises

matthew macfadyen

The Miniature Wife is a new kind of domestic drama

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
map of the caribbean
From Good Housekeeping for Sandals

The GH guide to exploring the Caribbean

vb

'Why I'm glad Victoria Beckham has talked about her eating disorder'

tx date:08 10 2025,tx week:40,embargoed until:08 10 2025 00:00:00,description:*not for publication until 00:01hrs, wednesday 8th october, 2025*,copyright:studio lambert,credit line:bbc/studio lambert/euan cherry

Celebrity Traitors is here and this is our verdict

london, england july 16: catherine, princess of wales and princess charlotte of wales watch carlos alcaraz vs novak djokovic in the wimbledon 2023 mens final on centre court during day fourteen of the wimbledon tennis championships at all england lawn tennis and croquet club on july 16, 2023 in london, england. (photo by karwai tang/wireimage)

Kate on what her children’s ‘greatest inheritance’ should be

london, england august 21: celia imrie attends the thursday murder club uk premiere at leicester square gardens on august 21, 2025 in london, england. (photo by karwai tang/wireimage)

Celebrity Traitors star ‘in love’ with Celia Imrie

person indoors in a casual white shirt with a neutral expression

How I went back to uni as a neuro-diverse mum of 4

london, england october 08: victoria beckham and david beckham attend the victoria beckham world premiere at the curzon mayfair on october 08, 2025 in london, england. (photo by samir hussein/wireimage)

David Beckham praises ‘warm, loving’ wife as kids support mum

london, england june 05: catherine, duchess of cambridge hugs prince louis of cambridge during the platinum pageant on june 05, 2022 in london, england. the platinum jubilee of elizabeth ii is being celebrated from june 2 to june 5, 2022, in the uk and commonwealth to mark the 70th anniversary of the accession of queen elizabeth ii on 6 february 1952. (photo by chris jackson wpa pool/getty images)

Kate reveals ‘toxic’ family habit we’re all guilty of

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below