Lesbian actress Sandra Bernhard talks about her partner, their daughter and more.

Often described as ‘scary’, Sandra Bernhard is best remembered for her bitter critiques on celebrity culture and political figures through her stand-up comedy performances. Among the greatest stand-up comedians, Sandra Bernhard is in number 97 on Comedy Central’s list.

In an interview, the bold lesbian actress opens up about her partner, their daughter and many more.

For several years there was speculation regarding her relationship with Madonna, wife of Sean Penn at that time. But Bernhard is very open about her sexual orientation. She is bisexual and admitted that they were just friends. Currently, she is in relationship with her longtime partner Sara Switzer, who is a publicist at Vanity Fair. It has been more than a decade that they are together but they have not got married yet.

Bernhard happily discussed how she met her partner. She said they bumped into each other and connected years ago when Sandra was asked to write a piece for the then Harper’s Bazaar’s editor, Sara Switzer. Bernhard adds that their relationship is going great and her partner is a really solid person.

Bernhard also talks openly about the decision to have her daughter. She said:

Becoming a mother used to be the last thing on my mind, but I decided I didn’t want to miss the opportunity. I did it on my own, so I wasn’t worried about being held accountable to somebody else. Having her was more and better than I expected. I really cannot imagine not having done it.”

On July 4, 1988, she gave birth to Cicely Yasin Bernhard, her daughter. The mother, Bernhard said that her daughter is a good girl, not an extrovert and a sassy smarty-pants kind of kid. She raises her only daughter with her girlfriend. But she has never disclosed her paternity.

During the interview, when asked what she thinks when she hears people describing her as scary, she said:

“I think people should be a little scared of me. Whenever a woman is very strong and forthright and doesn’t kowtow to people it’s interpreted as scary. I don’t think myself as scary, I think of myself as formidable.”

Bernhard knew she wanted to be a performer since she was very young. She first gained attention in the late 1970s with her stand-up comedy shows. Later in the 1980s she became an actress, singer and author. She was starred as an obsessive stalker Masha in the movie The King of Comedy in 1983.   She even won the National Society of Film Critics Award for best supporting actress.

Later in 1985, she began performing her first one-woman show called I’m Your Woman. She has appeared in numerous movies and TV shows throughout the 1980s.

Apart from her comic timing and acting skills, Bernhard is well known for her musical talent. She performs classic pop music, jazz, and blue tunes. She has released several albums including I’m Your Woman, Without You I’m Nothing, Hero Worship, The Love Machine and Gems of Mystery to name a few.

Entertainer Bernhard has an estimated net worth of $8 million.