A Biography of the Draq Queen, Divine

The drag-queen known as Divine was born Harris Glen Milstead on October 19, 1945 in Baltimore, Maryland to Harris Bernard and Diana Frances Milstead. Divine's mother suffered miscarriages and was the only child born to Harris and Diana Milstead. In 1957, the family moved to Lutherville, Maryland. Divine lived on the same street as film director John Waters and became good friends with him.

During the late 1960's and early 1970's, Divine and Waters began creating low-budget films. Divine acted while Waters wrote and directed them. Waters would include many regulars in his films which were referred to as Dreamlanders. Films Divine starred in included, "Roman Candles", "Eat Your Makeup", "Mondo Trash" and "Multiple Maniacs". In 1970, Divine played "Diane Linkletter" in the film, "The Diane Linkletter Story" based on the true life of Art Linkletter's daughter who had committed suicide in 1969. Divine also acted on stage in New York City in "Women Behind Bars". In 1972, Divine starred in "Pink Flamingos" and appeared in the comedy film "Female Trouble" in 1974. In 1981, John Waters cast Divine in the role of "Francine Fishpaw" in "Polyester". During the 1980's, Divine also began making dance records which were popular in the United States as well as in Europe.