Barbra Streisand’s husband is actor James Brolin. They married on July 1, 1998, and have been together for nearly 30 years — making theirs one of the longest-lasting marriages in Hollywood history.
But the love story behind this power couple is anything but ordinary. It started with a blind date, an insult about a haircut, and a connection so immediate that Brolin says he knew she was “the one” that very first night. Streisand, meanwhile, had essentially given up on finding lasting love.
Below: how they met, their star-studded wedding, the secrets behind their enduring marriage, and Streisand’s full relationship history.
Who Is James Brolin? Meet Barbra Streisand’s Husband
James Brolin isn’t just “Barbra Streisand’s husband.” He’s a powerhouse in his own right.
Born Craig Kenneth Bruderlin on July 18, 1940, in Los Angeles, Brolin has appeared in over 140 film and television productions across a career spanning more than six decades. He’s a two-time Golden Globe winner and Emmy Award recipient, best known for his roles in Marcus Welby, M.D., The Amityville Horror (1979), and more recently Life in Pieces and Netflix’s Sweet Tooth.
He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on August 27, 1998 — just two months after marrying Streisand. And yes, he’s the father of Oscar-nominated actor Josh Brolin.
| Detail | Barbra Streisand | James Brolin |
|---|---|---|
| Born | April 24, 1942 (age 83) | July 18, 1940 (age 85) |
| Profession | Singer, actress, director, producer | Actor, director, producer |
| Previous marriages | 1 (Elliott Gould) | 2 (Jane Cameron Agee, Jan Smithers) |
| Children | 1 son (Jason Gould) | 3 (Josh, Jess, Molly) |
| Estimated net worth | $400–430 million | $50 million |
| Married to each other | July 1, 1998 – present | |
How Barbra Streisand and James Brolin Met: A Blind Date for the Ages
Their origin story sounds like a scene from a romantic comedy.
On July 1, 1996, mutual friends arranged a blind date at a dinner party. Streisand had been single for years and, by her own admission, had “basically given up on finding someone.” Brolin, freshly divorced from his second wife Jan Smithers, wasn’t necessarily looking either.
Then came the moment that sealed it.
Streisand, expecting a rugged “mountain man” with a beard and wavy hair, took one look at Brolin’s freshly shaved head and blurted out: “Who f—ed up your hair?”
Brolin didn’t flinch. He laughed. And later recalled falling in love with her honesty “right then and there.”
Within days, Streisand knew he was significant too. She had planned to leave the dinner early to work on a project. She stayed all night.
Their first major public appearance as a couple came at the premiere of Streisand’s film The Mirror Has Two Faces in November 1996. By March 1997, they walked the red carpet together at the Academy Awards — and Hollywood knew this was serious.
The Star-Studded Malibu Wedding (July 1, 1998)
Exactly two years to the day after that fateful blind date, Streisand and Brolin exchanged vows in a private backyard ceremony at Streisand’s oceanside estate in Malibu, California.
The details were pure Hollywood.
The ceremony: Streisand, then 56, wore a classic white, lacy off-the-shoulder gown by Donna Karan. Brolin, 58, wore a black tuxedo. Her son Jason Gould walked her down the aisle. Brolin’s son Josh served as best man.
The guest list: Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson. John Travolta and Kelly Preston. Quincy Jones. Sydney Pollack. Even Marlon Brando reportedly attended.
The personal touches: Streisand performed two original love songs she had written for Brolin during the reception. The pool was decorated with water lilies and candles. To ensure privacy, loudspeakers were used to block the sound of vows from circling media helicopters.
Intimate, lavish, and deeply personal.
5 Secrets Behind Their Nearly 30-Year Marriage
Most Hollywood marriages don’t survive a decade. Streisand and Brolin are closing in on three. Both have spoken openly about what makes their relationship work — and their advice is surprisingly practical.
| Secret | Who Said It | The Quote |
|---|---|---|
| Couples therapy | James Brolin | Called it bringing in a “referee” — says most issues resolve in a single session |
| Active listening | Barbra Streisand | “To be a good marriage partner, you have to listen. Hear the other person.” |
| Separate bank accounts | James Brolin | Never shared finances; avoids complications from past marriages |
| Knowing when to give space | Both | Brolin respects Streisand’s intense focus when she’s working |
| Quality time together | James Brolin | “The best investment we’ve ever made is our mattress.” |
What makes these insights stand out is their honesty. Brolin doesn’t pretend marriage is effortless. He’s called himself a “negotiator” and emphasized that “everybody needs to have patience and know when to take a walk.” Streisand, in her 2023 memoir My Name Is Barbra, wrote about how therapy made them “kinder and more forgiving.”
During the COVID-19 pandemic, when many celebrity couples split, Brolin revealed that quarantining together actually strengthened their bond. “A lot of people, their marriages haven’t gone well during these 15 months,” he told The Talk. “But we’re great.”
That kind of resilience doesn’t happen by accident. It’s built on nearly three decades of intentional partnership.
Barbra Streisand’s First Husband and Past Relationships
Before Brolin, Streisand’s love life was a tabloid fixture for decades. Here’s the full picture.
Elliott Gould (First Husband, 1963–1971)
Streisand met Elliott Gould in 1962 while both were working on the Broadway production of I Can Get It for You Wholesale. She was 19. He was 23. They married on September 13, 1963, and welcomed their only son, Jason Gould, in December 1966.
As Streisand’s career rocketed — Funny Girl on Broadway, her first album, the Oscar — the marriage buckled under the pressure of fame. Gould later reflected that they “didn’t grow together” and described the experience as like “a bath of lava.”
They separated in 1969 and divorced in 1971. Despite the split, both have maintained a close and respectful relationship, especially around co-parenting Jason.
Jon Peters (1973–1982)
The hairdresser-turned-film-producer met Streisand on the set of For Pete’s Sake in 1973. Their relationship was intense, passionate, and professionally intertwined — Peters produced Streisand’s 1976 remake of A Star Is Born.
They never married, but spent nearly a decade together. Peters later called Streisand “probably the love of my life.” The relationship ended as Streisand threw herself into directing Yentl (1983).
Other Notable Relationships
Between Gould and Brolin, Streisand was linked to Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau (1970–71), composer Richard Baskin (1983–87), actor Don Johnson (late 1980s), tennis star Andre Agassi (1992–93), actor Liam Neeson (1991–92), and ABC News anchor Peter Jennings (1994–96).
| Partner | Years | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Elliott Gould | 1963–1971 | Married / Divorced |
| Pierre Trudeau | 1970–1971 | Dated |
| Jon Peters | 1973–1982 | Long-term partner |
| Richard Baskin | 1983–1987 | Dated |
| Don Johnson | Late 1980s | Dated |
| Andre Agassi | 1992–1993 | Dated |
| Liam Neeson | 1991–1992 | Dated |
| Peter Jennings | 1994–1996 | Dated |
| James Brolin | 1996–present | Married (1998) |
Their Blended Family: Children, Stepchildren, and Grandchildren
One detail that often gets overlooked in the Streisand-Brolin story is how seamlessly they’ve blended their families.
Streisand brought one son to the marriage: Jason Gould (born 1966), an actor and musician who famously performed duets with his mother in concert, including a moving rendition of “How Deep Is the Ocean” in 2012. He released his debut album Dangerous Man in 2017.
Brolin brought three children from two previous marriages:
- Josh Brolin (born 1968) — Oscar-nominated actor known for No Country for Old Men, Milk, and Thanos in the Avengers franchise. He served as best man at his father’s wedding to Streisand.
- Jess Brolin (born 1972) — has lived a more private life away from Hollywood.
- Molly Elizabeth Brolin (born 1987) — daughter from Brolin’s second marriage to actress Jan Smithers.
Through Josh Brolin’s marriages, Streisand and Brolin are also proud step-grandparents. Streisand has spoken warmly about grandparenthood, describing it as “joyful and special.”
A modern family built on choice and commitment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Barbra Streisand’s Husband
Who is Barbra Streisand married to now?
Barbra Streisand is married to actor James Brolin. They wed on July 1, 1998, at her Malibu estate and have been together ever since — nearly 28 years as of 2026.
How did Barbra Streisand and James Brolin meet?
They met on a blind date arranged by mutual friends at a dinner party on July 1, 1996. Streisand famously insulted Brolin’s haircut upon meeting him, but he says he fell in love with her honesty that same night.
Who was Barbra Streisand’s first husband?
Barbra Streisand’s first husband was actor Elliott Gould. They married in 1963, had son Jason Gould in 1966, separated in 1969, and officially divorced in 1971.
Does Barbra Streisand have children?
Streisand has one biological son, Jason Gould, from her first marriage to Elliott Gould. Through her marriage to James Brolin, she also has three stepchildren: Josh Brolin, Jess Brolin, and Molly Brolin.
What is the age difference between Barbra Streisand and James Brolin?
James Brolin is approximately two years older than Barbra Streisand. He was born on July 18, 1940 (age 85), and she was born on April 24, 1942 (age 83).
What is Barbra Streisand and James Brolin’s combined net worth?
Streisand’s net worth is estimated at $400–430 million, while Brolin’s is approximately $50 million, for a combined net worth of roughly $450–480 million.
Is Barbra Streisand still married to James Brolin?
Yes. As of 2026, Barbra Streisand and James Brolin are still happily married. They celebrated their 27th wedding anniversary in July 2025.
What is the secret to Barbra Streisand and James Brolin’s long marriage?
Both credit couples therapy, active listening, separate bank accounts, giving each other space, and prioritizing quality time together. Brolin has called being a “negotiator” essential, while Streisand emphasizes learning to “agree to disagree.”
The Bottom Line
Barbra Streisand’s husband James Brolin isn’t just a Hollywood spouse standing in a shadow. He’s a two-time Golden Globe winner, a father of four, and — by all accounts — the partner who finally matched Streisand’s intensity with equal parts patience and authenticity.
Their story is proof that love can arrive unexpectedly, survive honestly, and last a very long time when both people are willing to do the work. Nearly 30 years in, the couple who started with an insult about a haircut is still going strong.
For more on Barbra Streisand’s life and career, see her Wikipedia page. For James Brolin’s full filmography, visit his Wikipedia entry.
