I decided to retire from show business at the age of 17, because I didn't like it a bit.
– Shirley Bassey
I hate it when people come up to me when I'm eating.
– Shirley Bassey
I think men are afraid to be with a successful woman, because we are terribly strong, we know what we want and we are not fragile enough.
– Shirley Bassey
I wanted to be a model; I wanted to be a nurse; I wanted to be so many things, almost anything but being part of show business.
– Shirley Bassey
I'm a virgin and I brought up all my children to be the same.
– Shirley Bassey
I've always been the breadwinner and men don't like that. They turn on you. They bite the hand that feeds them. Eventually, too, they become very jealous of the love one has with an audience.
– Shirley Bassey
It's hard for a man to live with a successful woman - they seem to resent you so much. Very few men are generous enough to accept success in their women.
– Shirley Bassey
No wedding bells for me anymore. I've been happily married to my profession for years.
– Shirley Bassey
Who would have thought a little girl from Tiger Bay would one day become a Dame?