Talk about versatility in entertainment and Barbra Streisand would be at the top of the list. As Queen of Divas, as she is also known, Streisand has had an illustrious career in music, film, theatre, and television. Consequently, she is one of the few who deserves an EGOT (Emmy – 5, Grammy – 10, Oscar – 2, and Tony – 1). It is considered the greatest honor in the entertainment industry. And considering that her story is a “rags-to-riches” story, Barbra Streisand has come a long way, and her story serves as an inspiration to many.
Barbra Streisand Bio (Age and Other Background Info)
Barbara Joan Streisand was born on 24 April 1942 in Brooklyn, New York. She described her early childhood as painful. Barbara’s father died when she was just 15 months old and left her mother, who had a badly paid job to provide for the family, which included her brother.
Barbra never let the difficulties at home affect her academics. From grade school on, she was an outstanding student. She attended Erasmus Hall High School, which she graduated from in 1959, fourth in her class.
Despite her academic excellence, Barbra tried to make a career in entertainment. Even as a child she had developed a passion for singing, which she cultivated as she grew older. She also became interested in acting and often traveled to New York to learn more about this craft.
In 1960, a year after graduating from high school, Barbra left her mother, who was not so supportive of her career choice, and rented an apartment in Manhattan. To make ends meet, she did a number of odd jobs while continuing to focus on a music and acting career.
After winning a talent contest at a Manhattan gay club, Barbra received a $125 a week singing gig at the Blue Angel nightclub. Two years later, in 1962, Barbra’s dreams came true. She was given a role in the musical comedy “I Can Get It for You Wholesale” that would change her life forever.
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The musical was a hit that helped Barbra achieve national recognition and earned her a record deal with Columbia Records. Her debut album was a commercial success and earned her two Grammys.
Barbra built on her fame and gradually increased her star power over the years.
Net Worth
With at least 35 studio albums released, 11 of which reached number 1 on the Billboard 200, Barbra Streisand is the artist with the most number 1 albums. In the overall ranking, she is in third place, behind Jay Z, 13, and The Beatles, 19.
Her records have sold around 200 million copies worldwide, making her one of the best-selling artists of all time. In addition to breaking chart records, Barbra has also earned millions from touring. Her first full tour “Barbra Streisand in Concert” (1993 – 1994) earned her $55 million in 26 concerts ($89 million in 2017).
Here is a look at her subsequent tour gross
“Timeless” (1999/2000) 26 shows – $70 million ($97.3 million in 2017 dollars)
“Streisand” 2006/2007 29 shows – $119.5 million (most successful)
Barbra Live (2012/2013) – $66 million
Barbra: The Music, The Mem’ries, The Magic (2016 – 2017) – $53 million
As of 2017, Barbra Streisand’s tours have grossed at least $350 million.
Barbra also made a fortune in acting. Her best time in the film was between 1968 and 1980, during which time she was frequently represented in the “Top Ten Money-Making Stars” survey, which listed the highest-earning entertainers.
In 1972 she founded the production company Barwood Films. Within this company she wrote, produced, and directed her own films. Some of them are: Yentl (1983), The Mirror Has Two Faces (1996). She reportedly earned $20 million with the latter and $3 million with the former. Streisand has earned 8-digit sums with a series of acting engagements.
Her net worth is estimated at $390 million, which easily makes her one of the richest women in the entertainment industry. She lives in the lap of luxury. According to sources, Streisand owns a personal shopping arcade in her luxurious clifftop villa by the sea in Malibu. She bought the property for $20 million, and today it is estimated to be worth $200 million.
Husband and Kids
Barbra Streisand has met illustrious personalities in her life, including Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau and tennis champion Andre Agassi. However, she was only married twice, first with the actor Elliott Gould.
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Their union lasted from 1963 to 1971 and produced a child, a son named Jason Gould. Jason Gould, who was born on December 29, 1966, has since followed in his parents’ footsteps and become an entertainer. In 1988, at the age of 21, Jason revealed himself as gay.
After a series of failed relationships, Streisand married actor James Brolin on July 1, 1998. They have no children together, so Jason Gould remains Streisand’s only child. However, Brolin has three children, including actor Josh Brolin, from two previous marriages.