After Dark Magazine Barbara Streisand in Funny Lady

Barbra Streisand's Childhood

BARBRA STREISAND ( born in 1942 ) when was a young girl aged 7

Credit: Alamy

A star was born Barbara Joan Streisand (she'd later change the spelling) on April 24, 1942 to parents Diana and Emanuel Streisand in Brooklyn, New York. Tragedy struck when Emanuel died of a cerebral hemorrhage when she was just 15 months old; Diana moved Barbra and her brother Sheldon in with her parents to help raise her kids while she worked as a bookkeeper.

For even more on the star's incredible life and career, pick up PEOPLE's special edition Barbra Streisand: Her Life & Unrivaled Career wherever magazines are sold.

Barbra Streisand's Adolescence

BARBRA STREISAND ( born in 1942 ) on a bike , with friends, when was a young girl aged 8

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The star did not have a particularly happy childhood, saying in one interview that she was somewhat of an unsupervised "wild child" and was often picked on by her classmates and stepfather for being plain.

But joining the Erasmus High School choral society gave her an opportunity to exercise her talent, and right after high school she headed to Manhattan, determined to make it on Broadway.

Barbra Streisand's Early Career

Barbra Streisand at nineteen in her Broadway debut in the musical 'I Can Get It for You Wholesale,'

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After gaining some early success as a singer in New York nightclubs, she broke through with her first role in I Can Get it For You Wholesalein 1962. She got attention for the role that landed her appearances on evening talk shows and her debut album, The Barbra Streisand Album, which won three Grammys.

Barbra Streisand's Duet with Judy Garland

Barbra Streisand sings a duet with Judy Garland

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The actress was a popular guest almost immediately, logging legendary appearances including this "Get Happy/Happy Days" duet with Judy Garland from the latter's self-titled show in 1963.

"Such a special moment in my career," Streisand recalled on Instagram. "She was incredible. Totally unique. Just been reminded this aired 56 years ago today on CBS. I was 21, and Judy was 41.

Barbra Streisand's Marriage to Elliott Gould

Barbra Streisand with her husband, actor Elliott Gould

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Streisand and Gould met on the set ofI Can Get it for You Wholesale and married in Carson City, Nevada in 1963. The two welcomed a son, Jason, in 1966, but by 1969 they had separated, culminating in divorce in 1971.

Later, Gould reflected that his wife's skyrocketing success made it difficult for the two of them to grow together; Streisand agreed in a 1970 interview with Time. "It must have been very difficult for him," she said. "Marriages between people who are self-involved is hard. It's safer for actors not to be married to one another."

Barbra Streisand in Funny Girl

Barbra Streisand outside the New Amsterdam Theatre in New York

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Though her star turn as Fanny Brice in Funny Girl is indelibly associated with her, she almost got fired from the 1964 Broadway production in its early days. She persisted and the show opened to rave reviews; it led to her signing a three-film deal for movies based on Funny Girl, Hello, Dolly!andOn a Clear Day You Can See Forever.

Barbra Streisand Meets John F. Kennedy, Jr.

John F. Kennedy signs an autograph for Barbra Streisand

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"I never ask for autographs... but I made an exception when I met President John F. Kennedy in 1963," Streisand wrote in a throwback Instagram post.

Barbra Streisand Films Funny Girl

Barbra Streisand with actor Omar Sharif

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Funny Girlwas her first Hollywood film and it was a smash hit, becoming the highest-grossing film of 1968 with eight Oscar nominations to its name (including a Best Actress win for Streisand, seen here with her onscreen love interest Omar Sharif).

Barbra Streisand Wins an Oscar

Barbra Streisand with the Oscar she won for Best Actress in Funny Girl.

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The star won her first Academy Award wearing a polarizing sheer sequin pantsuit by Arnold Scaasi that has since become iconic.

"I had no idea that when the lights hit that outfit, it would become transparent!" she toldW Magazine. "I wanted a white collar and cuffs, which it had, and I wore my hair under my chin, because I thought to myself, I'm going to win two Oscars in my lifetime, and I'll be more conservative next time."

She would be nominated for four more Oscars and would win one more, for Best Song for "Evergreen." She has amassed countless other awards, making her one of the few stars to earn an EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony).

Barbra Streisand as a Mother

Barbra Streisand, with her son Jason Gould

Credit: Stanley Bielecki Movie

The star reveled in her role as a parent to son Jason, often bringing him to work (he's pictured here with her on the set of Hello, Dolly!). "It's a miracle, the height of creativity for any woman," Streisand toldLadies' Home Journalof motherhood. She often posts loving tributes to her son on Instagram.

Barbra Streisand's Relationship with Jon Peters

Jon Peters and Barbra Streisand

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After her divorce from Gould, Streisand began dating producer Jon Peters, and they were together for nearly a decade. After their split, she dated other high-profile men (including Clint Eastwood, Andre Agassi and Don Johnson) throughout the '80s and early '90s.

Barbra Streisand in The Way We Were

THE WAY WE WERE, from left: Robert Redford, Barbra Streisand, 1973

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People swooned for the onscreen romance with her costar Robert Redford in this 1973 hit.

Barbra Streisand in A Star Is Born

Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson attending the premiere party for 'A Star is Born'

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She had another massive success with her 1976 turn in A Star Is Born opposite Kris Kristofferson (pictured). She composed the love theme to the film, "Evergreen," which won her an Oscar and hit No.1 on the charts.

Barbra Streisand in Concert

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In addition to her successful work as an actress, Streisand had incredible success with her recording and performing careers — so it was no surprise that people turned out by the thousands to watch her perform in concert in what ended up being used as a crowd scene forA Star Is Born.

Barbra Streisand Directs Yentl

Barbra Streisand directs Mandy Patinkin and Amy Irving in a scene in the movie "Yentl"

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In 1983, the star (pictured with the film's stars Mandy Patinkin and Amy Irving) became the first woman to write, produce, direct, and star in a major studio film. She also became the first woman to win a Golden Globe for directing (and the only one for more than 30 years after that).

Barbra Streisand Wins a Grammy

Barbra Streisand at THE 29TH ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS

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Nominated for 43 Grammys and having won eight (she's seen here accepting Best Female Vocal Pop Performance for 1986's The Broadway Album), the star has also taken home honors including the Grammy Legend Award and the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

Barbra Streisand Marries James Brolin

Barbra Streisand and Jame Brolin Wedding on cover of PEOPLE

After being set up at a dinner party in 1996, the singer and the actor hit it off and wed two years later. Streisand serenaded her groom with two new love songs, and he returned the favor with a sweet toast: "I can't tell you how lucky I am that this would happen to me so late in life. Every night is a new adventure. Sleeping is a waste of time. I can't wait to see her again in the morning."

Barbra Streisand Wins a Kennedy Center Honor

Barbra Streisand pose for the formal group photo

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In 2008, Streisand (alongside Morgan Freeman, country singer George Jones, dancer and choreographer Twyla Tharp and musicians Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey of The Who) received a Kennedy Center award from then-President George W. Bush for her contributions to the performing arts.

Barbra Streisand's Family

James Brolin, Josh Brolin (James Brolin's son), Trevor Brolin (James Brolin's grandson), Barbra Streisand and her son Jason Gould

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In addition to her son Jason (far right), Barbra is a stepmother to Brolin's three children Josh (second from right), Molly and Jess, and a grandmother to Josh's four children (including Trevor, center). The family is pictured here at a 2006 concert.

Barbra Streisand's Philanthropy

Barbra Streisand attends as Cedars Sinai Medical Center

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The star is an outspoken political activist and a passionate advocate for many causes, including women's heart health. She started the Women's Heart Alliance in 2004 and now has her name on the heart research center at Cedars-Sinai hospital in Los Angeles.

Barbra Streisand as a Grandmother

barbra streisand and Westlyn

Credit: barbrastreisand/Instagram

The star, who says she's happiest as a homebody, revels in her role as grandparent, especially to stepson Josh Brolin's two youngest children, Westlyn and Chapel.

"One of Jason's first words was "hat" — and now it's one of Westlyn's first words too! 💛" she wrote on Instagram of this sweet moment.

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Source: https://people.com/music/barbra-streisand-life-in-photos/