The Two Husbands And Surprising Loves Of Barbra Streisand: Secrets Revealed In Her Memoir And 27-Year Marriage To James Brolin
As of December 2025, the legendary Barbra Streisand remains happily married to her second husband, actor and director James Brolin, a relationship that has spanned nearly three decades and continues to be one of Hollywood's most enduring love stories. Their bond, which recently celebrated its 27th wedding anniversary on July 1, 2025, has been a source of fascination for fans, with Brolin himself sharing the simple yet effective secrets to their lasting success, including a unique "night owl" schedule and a commitment to communication. The recent release of Streisand’s long-awaited, nearly 1,000-page autobiography, *My Name Is Barbra*, has provided a fresh, intimate look into her complex romantic life, detailing not only her two marriages but also the high-profile relationships in between.
Streisand’s journey to finding her "true love" at the age of 55 was a winding path, beginning with a fiery Broadway romance with her first husband, Elliott Gould, and including significant, often tumultuous, relationships with fellow Hollywood power players. This deep dive into her life explores the two men she married and the surprising list of stars she dated, offering a complete picture of the icon's love life, as revealed in her own words and the most current news.
James Brolin: A Complete Biography and Filmography Highlights
Barbra Streisand’s current husband, James Brolin, is a highly respected American actor, producer, and director with a career spanning over six decades. Born Craig Kenneth Bruderlin on July 18, 1940, in Los Angeles, California, Brolin adopted his stage name early in his career and has since appeared in over 140 film and television roles. His father, Henry Hurst Bruderlin, was a building contractor, and his mother, Jane Cameron, was a homemaker.
Brolin first achieved widespread fame for his role as Dr. Steven Kiley in the medical drama series *Marcus Welby, M.D.* (1969–1976), for which he won two Golden Globe Awards and an Emmy Award. He later starred in the popular 1980s television drama *Hotel* (1983–1988) and has maintained a robust film career.
Key Biographical and Career Highlights:
- Full Name: Craig Kenneth Bruderlin
- Born: July 18, 1940 (Age 85 as of 2025)
- Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California, U.S.
- Spouses: Jane Cameron Agee (m. 1966; div. 1984), Jan Smithers (m. 1986; div. 1995), Barbra Streisand (m. 1998)
- Children: Josh Brolin (actor), Jess Brolin, Molly Elizabeth Brolin
- Notable TV Roles: *Marcus Welby, M.D.*, *Hotel*, *Pensacola: Wings of Gold*, *Life in Pieces*
- Notable Film Roles: *Westworld*, *The Amityville Horror*, *Traffic*, *Catch Me If You Can*
Brolin is also the father of acclaimed actor Josh Brolin from his first marriage, making him Barbra Streisand’s step-son. He and Streisand have four grandchildren together.
The Enduring Love Story: Barbra Streisand and James Brolin
Streisand and Brolin's relationship began in a remarkably unglamorous way for two Hollywood icons: a blind date dinner party in 1996. Streisand was 54 and Brolin was 56 at the time. Their first meeting was memorable, with Streisand famously telling Brolin, "Who messed up your hair?" a moment she details in her memoir. Despite the blunt opening, Brolin was immediately smitten, calling it "love at first sight."
The couple married two years later on July 1, 1998, at Streisand's Malibu home. In July 2025, they celebrated their 27th wedding anniversary, a milestone Brolin has attributed to several key relationship strategies.
Secrets to a 27-Year Hollywood Marriage
In a recent appearance on the *Today Show* in April 2025, James Brolin shared that the foundation of their long-lasting marriage is "communication" and the simple, practical decision to have "a good mattress." This lighthearted yet honest advice underscores the down-to-earth nature of their private life.
Streisand has also discussed their unique lifestyle, revealing that they are both "night owls" who prefer staying up late and waking up late, a shared habit that helps them maximize their time together. The mutual respect for each other's independence and creative space is another pillar of their success, allowing the celebrated director and actor to maintain their individual careers while supporting one another.
The Broadway Romance: Barbra Streisand’s First Husband, Elliott Gould
Before James Brolin, Barbra Streisand's first husband was the acclaimed actor Elliott Gould. Their romance was a classic story of two rising stars meeting on the stage. They met in 1962 while Streisand was auditioning for the Broadway musical *I Can Get It For You Wholesale*, in which Gould was playing the male lead. They married a year later in 1963.
Their marriage coincided with Streisand's meteoric rise to fame, particularly with her iconic role as Fanny Brice in *Funny Girl*. They welcomed their only child, son Jason Gould, in 1966. Jason Gould is an actor, writer, and director who has collaborated with his mother on projects like *The Prince of Tides*.
The couple separated in 1969 and officially divorced in 1971. Gould has reflected on their split, suggesting that the immense pressure and the differing trajectories of their careers at the time contributed to the end of their eight-year marriage. He has noted that the breakup was so high-profile that even Elvis Presley was reportedly upset by the news. Despite the end of their romantic relationship, the two have maintained a respectful co-parenting relationship over the years.
The Golden Age of Hollywood: Streisand's Notable Relationships In Between
The two decades between her marriages to Elliott Gould and James Brolin were filled with a string of high-profile and long-term relationships that showcase Streisand’s magnetic appeal and complex personal life, many of which are detailed in her memoir. These relationships are crucial to understanding her romantic journey and the kind of connection she was seeking before meeting Brolin.
- Jon Peters (1973–1982): One of Streisand's longest relationships between her marriages was with hairdresser-turned-producer Jon Peters. Their partnership was both personal and professional, with Peters producing her 1976 film *A Star Is Born*. Streisand notes in her memoir that their fiery, nine-year relationship was a significant chapter of her life.
- Richard Gere (Early 1980s): Streisand and actor Richard Gere reportedly dated in the early 1980s. Their brief romance brought together two of the era's biggest stars.
- Don Johnson (Late 1980s): Streisand’s romance with *Miami Vice* star Don Johnson was a passionate, high-energy affair. In her autobiography, she describes feeling "giddy" and like a "high school girl" with the actor. However, she also reveals that their relationship ended partly because their professional collaboration on a duet made him feel insecure, a moment of candor that caused a stir upon the memoir's release.
- Other Notable Figures: Her dating history also includes brief but notable connections with director/actor Clint Eastwood, composer James Newton Howard, Baskin-Robbins heir Richard Baskin, and, perhaps most surprisingly, tennis star Andre Agassi, whom she dated in the early 1990s.
Streisand’s extensive romantic history, detailed further in *My Name Is Barbra*, ultimately led her to the stable, supportive partnership with James Brolin. Her life, marked by unparalleled professional success and a dynamic personal journey, proves that finding true, lasting love can happen at any stage of life, even for a global icon.
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