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Barbra Joan Streisand, later known as Barbra, was born on April 24, 1942, in Brooklyn, New York, to parents Diana and Emanuel Streisand. Tragedy struck early in her life when Emanuel passed away from a cerebral hemorrhage when Barbra was only 15 months old. Following his death, Diana moved Barbra and her brother Sheldon in with her parents to receive support while she worked as a bookkeeper.
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Streisand's family was Jewish, with roots tracing back to Galicia (Poland–Ukraine) and the Russian Empire. She also has a half-sister, Roslyn Kind, from her mother's second marriage to Louis Kind in 1949.
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Despite a tough childhood where she felt bullied and overlooked, Barbra found refuge in the Erasmus High School choral society. It was there that she discovered her talent. After graduation, she headed to Manhattan with dreams of making it big on Broadway.
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After becoming popular in New York City clubs, Barbra got her big break with a role in "I Can Get it For You Wholesale" in 1962. Her performance got her on talk shows and her first album, "The Barbra Streisand Album," won three Grammys.
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'Funny Girl' was Streisand's first movie in Hollywood, and it was a big hit. It became the highest-grossing film of 1968 and received eight Oscar nominations. Streisand won the Best Actress award for her performance.
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Despite facing challenges during the early days of the Broadway production of 'Funny Girl' in 1964, Streisand's perseverance paid off, and the show received rave reviews. This success led to her signing a three-film deal for adaptations of 'Funny Girl', 'Hello, Dolly!', and 'On a Clear Day You Can See Forever'.
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Streisand's iconic Oscars outfit, a sheer sequin pantsuit by Arnold Scaasi, caused a stir when it turned transparent under the lights. Reflecting on the incident, she humorously remarked, "I had no idea that when the lights hit that outfit, it would become transparent!" Despite the unexpected wardrobe malfunction, Streisand's confidence and unique style shone through. Throughout her career, she collected numerous awards, including an EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony), cementing her status as an entertainment legend.
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Streisand and Elliott Gould got married in 1963 after meeting on a movie set, but they divorced in 1971. They had a son named Jason in 1966. Reflecting on their breakup, Gould mentioned that Streisand's growing fame made it hard for them to stay connected, a sentiment Streisand shared in a 1970 interview with Time magazine.
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Her other movies include 'The Owl' and 'the Pussycat', 'The Way We Were', and 'A Star Is Born', which earned her a second Academy Award for her music. In 1983, Streisand made history with 'Yentl', becoming the first woman to write, produce, direct, and star in a major studio film. 'Yentl' won an Oscar for Best Score, a Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture Musical, and the Golden Globe Award for Best Director, making Streisand the first (and only) woman to win that award.
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Barbra Streisand has one child: her son Jason Gould, with first husband Elliott Gould.
Jason Gould was born in 1966, and is an actor, director, producer, writer, and singer.
Aged 21 in 1988, he came out as gay. Barbra said at the time: "I would never wish for my son to be anything but what he is. He is bright, kind, sensitive, caring, and a very conscientious and good person. He is a very gifted actor and filmmaker. What more could a parent ask for in their child? I have been truly blessed.
Step into the captivating world of Barbra Streisand through this stunning gallery showcasing pivotal moments in her life and illustrious career.
From her iconic performances to her influence on music and film, explore the journey of one of the most legendary entertainers of all time.