The Unexpected Secret To Barbra Streisand And James Brolin's 27-Year Marriage

The question of "who is Barbra Streisand married to" has a definitive and enduring answer: the legendary actress, singer, and filmmaker has been married to actor, producer, and director James Brolin since 1998. As of this writing in late 2025, their remarkable Hollywood union has spanned nearly three decades, recently celebrating their 27th wedding anniversary on July 1, 2025.

The longevity of their relationship—which began as a blind date when Streisand was 54 and Brolin was 56—is a rare feat in the entertainment industry. It is a testament to their mutual respect, separate finances, and a willingness to embrace an unconventional lifestyle that includes couples therapy and a shared love for staying up late.

James Brolin: A Complete Biography and Profile

Barbra Streisand’s husband is a highly accomplished Hollywood veteran whose career spans over six decades, earning him two Golden Globe Awards and a Primetime Emmy Award.

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• Full Name: Craig Kenneth Bruderlin
• Born: July 18, 1940
• Age (as of late 2025): 85 years old
• Birthplace: Westwood Village, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
• Occupations: Actor, Producer, Director, Television Director, Film Producer
• Notable Works: Marcus Welby, M.D. (Dr. Steven Kiley), Hotel (Peter McDermott), The Amityville Horror, Westworld, Traffic, and the recent Netflix series Ransom Canyon.
• Net Worth: Approximately $50 million.
• Previous Marriages:
  1. Jane Cameron Agee (m. 1966; div. 1984)
  2. Jan Smithers (m. 1986; div. 1995)
• Children:
  • Josh Brolin (Actor, from his first marriage)
  • Jess Brolin (from his first marriage)
  • Molly Brolin (Producer, from his second marriage)
• Spouse: Barbra Streisand (m. July 1, 1998)

The Hilarious Blind Date That Started a Hollywood Fairytale

The love story between Barbra Streisand and James Brolin is anything but conventional, beginning with a hilarious moment of brutal honesty that Brolin credits as the reason he fell in love instantly.

"Who Fd Up Your Hair?"

The couple was set up on a blind date at a dinner party on July 1, 1996. Streisand, who had not been in a relationship for some time, expected to meet the actor she remembered from his roles—a man with a brown, wavy beard and a "mountain man" look.

Instead, Brolin showed up with a buzz cut and no beard. Streisand, known for her straightforwardness, walked right up to him, ran her hand through his hair, and asked, "Who fd up your hair?"

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Far from being offended, Brolin was completely charmed. He recalled thinking, "This girl tells the truth right from the beginning. I’m crazy about her." Streisand, meanwhile, was attracted to the fact that he was "very masculine" and didn't feel threatened by her success.

The Two-Year Courtship and Star-Studded Wedding

The pair quickly became inseparable, despite Brolin having to travel to Ireland three months later to direct his political thriller, My Brother's War. Streisand later recounted falling asleep on the bathroom floor with the phone pressed to her ear to stay connected with him.

Exactly two years after their first date, on July 1, 1998, they tied the knot in a highly-anticipated, star-studded backyard wedding at Streisand's Malibu home. The guest list was a who's who of Hollywood royalty, including Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson, John Travolta, Kelly Preston, and Quincy Jones.

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At the reception, Streisand serenaded her new husband with two new love songs. Brolin’s wedding speech captured the late-life romance perfectly: "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."

The Unconventional Secrets to Their Long-Lasting Marriage

After nearly 30 years together, Barbra Streisand and James Brolin have openly discussed the pragmatic and sometimes surprising strategies they employ to maintain their marriage, which they recently celebrated in July 2025.

1. Separate Finances and Separate Lives

One of the most candid revelations about their long marriage is that the couple maintains separate bank accounts and finances. Brolin, who had been married twice before, stated in a 2015 interview that they "bifurcated" their finances to avoid any potential conflict, explaining, "I didn't want any reason that I would ever have to be either divorced or married again."

This financial independence is complemented by a deep respect for each other's creative space and time. Brolin has praised Streisand for never asking him the destructive question of "Where were you?" when he was working late, saying her trusting nature fosters "incredible loyalty."

2. The Power of Couples Therapy and Negotiation

While some couples shy away from professional help, Brolin has been a vocal advocate for couples counseling, calling it the real secret to their success. He believes bringing in a "referee" to talk things over can dispel problems by the end of the session.

In addition to therapy, Brolin emphasizes the importance of knowing when to walk away to cool down and, most importantly, learning how to negotiate. Their marriage is a balance of opposites: Streisand is the perfectionist who takes her time, while Brolin is the quick decision-maker and problem solver. He noted that their differences actually bring out the best in each other.

3. A Shared "Night Owl" Schedule (and a Good Mattress)

In a charmingly modern update to their relationship in 2025, Streisand revealed that they are both "night owls" who keep a "different schedule" than most. They love the "silence of the night" and often stay up very late, sometimes not getting out of bed until the early afternoon.

Brolin also joked in April 2025 that the best investment they ever made was their mattress, where they spend a lot of time reading, working, and relaxing side-by-side.

The Blended Family and the Aerosmith Connection

Streisand and Brolin preside over a large, successful blended family. Barbra is mother to son Jason Gould (from her first marriage to Elliott Gould) and a loving stepmother to James's three children, including the globally famous actor Josh Brolin.

Streisand is also a proud grandmother. In recent years, she has embraced her role as "grandma," doting on her step-grandchildren, including Josh Brolin’s daughters, Westlyn Reign and Chapel.

The depth of their love story even transcended their private life and inspired one of the most famous rock ballads of all time. In her memoir, My Name Is Barbra, Streisand revealed that she recounted a moment to Barbara Walters where Brolin, half-asleep, told her, "I don’t want to fall asleep. ’Cause I’ll miss you."

Songwriter Diane Warren was watching the interview and jotted down the exchange, which became the emotional core of the Aerosmith hit, "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing," released in 1998. Streisand noted that this moment of poetic bliss was the one that convinced her she would marry James Brolin.

From a blunt joke about a bad haircut to a 27-year marriage celebrated in the summer of 2025, Barbra Streisand and James Brolin continue to be one of Hollywood's most enduring and fascinating couples, proving that sometimes, two very different people need only honesty, communication, and a great mattress to make a relationship last.