My Name Is Barbra

My Name Is Barbra Plot Summary

Introduction

In the pantheon of entertainment legends, few stars shine as distinctly as Barbra Streisand. From her emergence in the early 1960s to her continued relevance today, Streisand has defied every convention of what a female entertainer could be and achieve. With her distinctive nose, Brooklyn accent, and unwavering self-belief, she challenged Hollywood's narrow beauty standards while building an unprecedented career as a vocalist, actress, director, producer, and activist. "I never tried to be anyone other than myself," she once remarked, a simple statement that belies the revolutionary impact of her authenticity in an industry built on conformity. Streisand's journey offers profound insights into the power of artistic integrity, the courage required to maintain one's vision against overwhelming pressure to conform, and the transformative potential of talent when paired with unwavering determination. Through her story, we witness not just the evolution of an extraordinary artist but a template for how genuine self-belief can overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Her career serves as both inspiration and instruction—demonstrating how perfectionism, when channeled productively, can elevate art to its highest form, and how using one's voice—both literal and metaphorical—can reshape culture and create lasting change far beyond the entertainment world.

Chapter 1: Brooklyn Beginnings: The Roots of Determination

The story of Barbra Streisand begins in Brooklyn, New York, where she was born on April 24, 1942, to a working-class Jewish family. Tragedy struck early when her father, Emanuel, a highly respected English teacher, died suddenly from complications of an epileptic seizure when Barbra was just fifteen months old. This profound loss shaped her childhood and created a void that would influence her throughout life. Her mother Diana, left to raise Barbra and her older brother Sheldon alone, worked as a school secretary, struggling to make ends meet while providing little emotional support or encouragement to her daughter. Growing up in modest apartments in Williamsburg and later Flatbush, young Barbra developed an inner resilience that would serve her throughout life. Her childhood was marked by a painful contradiction: she possessed extraordinary talent yet received minimal recognition or nurturing at home. "My mother never told me I was good at anything," Streisand has recalled. This lack of maternal affirmation created a hunger for validation that would later fuel her relentless drive for perfection. When her mother remarried, her stepfather Louis Kind showed little interest in her, further reinforcing her sense of being an outsider within her own family. Despite these emotional challenges, Barbra displayed remarkable self-confidence from an early age. Even as a teenager at Erasmus Hall High School, she had already developed a clear vision of her future. "I always knew I'd be a star," she would later say, not as a boast but as a statement of the inner certainty that sustained her through years of rejection. This conviction wasn't mere teenage fantasy but a profound self-knowledge that would prove prophetic. While her classmates saw an awkward girl with unusual looks, Barbra saw herself through a different lens, already imagining the acclaim that awaited her. The Brooklyn of Streisand's youth provided both limitations and inspiration. Its working-class Jewish culture gave her a rich heritage of humor, resilience, and expressive tradition. At the same time, its provincialism created a hunger for broader horizons. She would spend hours in movie theaters, absorbing performances by actresses like Bette Davis and Katherine Hepburn, studying their techniques while developing her own distinctive approach. These cinematic escapes nurtured her imagination and reinforced her determination to transcend her circumstances through artistic achievement. At sixteen, Barbra made the bold decision to pursue her dreams, moving to Manhattan and supporting herself through odd jobs while seeking theatrical opportunities. This period of struggle—sleeping on friends' couches, working as a theater usher and switchboard operator—taught her self-reliance and strengthened her resolve. When early acting auditions yielded more rejection than opportunity, she began singing at small Greenwich Village clubs like the Lion and the Bon Soir, where her unique interpretive abilities quickly attracted attention. Even then, she approached each song as an actress, finding the emotional truth within lyrics and creating mini-dramas in three-minute performances. What emerged from these Brooklyn beginnings was not just a talented performer but a singular artistic vision. Unlike many young artists who seek to emulate established stars, Barbra developed a style entirely her own—vocally, visually, and temperamentally. She refused suggestions to change her name, fix her nose, or conform to conventional standards of beauty and behavior. This authenticity, born from both inner confidence and the outsider perspective developed in her Brooklyn youth, would become her greatest strength, allowing her to connect with audiences through genuine emotional truth rather than manufactured appeal.

Chapter 2: Breaking Through: Redefining Beauty and Talent

Barbra's transition from nightclub singer to international star began with her Broadway debut in the musical "I Can Get It For You Wholesale" in 1962. Cast in the supporting role of Miss Marmelstein, a harried secretary, she transformed what could have been a forgettable character into a show-stopping performance. Her comic timing and vocal prowess earned her a Tony nomination and industry attention far beyond what such a minor role typically received. This pattern—elevating material through the sheer force of her talent and distinctive approach—would become a hallmark of her career. The true breakthrough came with "Funny Girl," the musical based on the life of comedienne Fanny Brice. The parallels between Brice and Streisand were striking—both Jewish women with unconventional looks who succeeded through extraordinary talent and force of personality. When Barbra opened the show on Broadway in 1964, her performance was nothing short of revelatory. Critics struggled to find superlatives adequate to describe her impact, with Walter Kerr of the New York Times declaring, "I don't think I've ever seen a more exciting instance of a performer taking stage and holding it with a grip of iron until an audience is reduced to total surrender." What made Barbra's rise particularly significant was how completely she challenged entertainment industry norms. In an era when female stars were expected to conform to narrow beauty standards, she refused to alter her appearance, embracing her distinctive nose and asymmetrical features as part of her unique identity. When advised to change her name to something more conventionally appealing, she simply dropped an 'a' from Barbara. This insistence on authenticity represented a radical stance in a business built on manufactured images and artificial personas. Her recording career paralleled her theatrical success, with her debut album "The Barbra Streisand Album" winning two Grammy Awards in 1964, including Album of the Year. Unlike most female vocalists of the era who relied on standardized arrangements and predictable repertoire, Barbra selected challenging, often obscure songs that showcased her interpretive abilities. Her approach to recording was equally distinctive—she insisted on artistic control unusual for any performer, particularly a woman, demanding final approval on arrangements, photographers, and album design. This level of involvement established a precedent for female artists taking charge of their creative output. When Hollywood beckoned with the film adaptation of "Funny Girl," Barbra faced significant resistance. Many industry executives questioned whether an unconventional-looking Broadway performer could carry a major motion picture. Her insistence on starring in the film version represented another battle for artistic integrity over commercial calculation. The result vindicated her completely—her film debut earned her the Academy Award for Best Actress in 1969, an unprecedented achievement for a performer's first film role. Her acceptance speech, with its famous opening line "Hello, gorgeous" addressed to her Oscar, captured the self-aware humor that balanced her intense perfectionism. Throughout this period of breakthrough success, Barbra maintained the same fierce independence and artistic vision that had sustained her through earlier struggles. Success didn't soften her edges or make her more compliant with industry expectations. If anything, it reinforced her determination to maintain control over her career and artistic choices. This combination of extraordinary talent with unwavering self-direction established a new paradigm for female performers—one based on artistic integrity rather than accommodation. In redefining what a star could look like, sound like, and be like, Barbra Streisand didn't just build a career; she expanded the possibilities for generations of performers who would follow.

Chapter 3: The Director's Chair: Fighting for Creative Control

By the mid-1970s, Barbra had conquered Broadway, recording, film, and television, yet she harbored ambitions that extended beyond performing. Having observed directors closely throughout her acting career, she developed a comprehensive understanding of filmmaking and a desire to tell stories from behind the camera. This transition would prove her most challenging professional battle, as Hollywood's resistance to female directors was even more entrenched than its narrow beauty standards for actresses. Her journey to the director's chair began with "A Star Is Born" (1976), which she produced and starred in, taking an active role in every aspect of production from script development to final edit. Though officially directed by Frank Pierson, industry insiders recognized Barbra's substantial creative input. The film's success—it became one of the highest-grossing pictures of the year—reinforced her confidence in her filmmaking instincts. Yet when she expressed interest in directing, studio executives were dismissive, suggesting she stick to what she knew best: performing. The project that would become her directorial debut, "Yentl," based on Isaac Bashevis Singer's story about a Jewish girl who disguises herself as a boy to study Talmud, faced rejection for over fifteen years. Studio after studio declined to finance the film, citing concerns about its commercial viability. The subtext was clear: they doubted a woman could successfully direct a major motion picture, particularly one with religious themes and period setting. Barbra's response to this resistance was characteristic—she deepened her preparation, studying every aspect of filmmaking from lighting techniques to editing principles. When "Yentl" was finally released in 1983, with Streisand serving as director, producer, co-writer, and star, it represented a groundbreaking achievement. She became the first woman to write, produce, direct, and star in a major studio film. The movie's exploration of gender roles and identity reflected Barbra's own experience challenging societal limitations. Critics were divided, but audiences responded enthusiastically, making the film a commercial success. More significantly, it established Streisand as a filmmaker with a distinctive visual style and thematic concerns. Her subsequent directorial efforts faced similar industry skepticism despite proven success. "The Prince of Tides" (1991), her second film as director, received seven Academy Award nominations including Best Picture, yet Barbra was notably absent from the Best Director category. This omission highlighted the double standard applied to female directors—the film was deemed worthy of recognition, but its director was not. Similarly, her third directorial project, "The Mirror Has Two Faces" (1996), demonstrated her continued growth as a visual storyteller while exploring themes of beauty, identity, and self-acceptance that had resonated throughout her career. Throughout these directorial endeavors, Barbra maintained the same meticulous attention to detail and emotional authenticity that characterized her performances. She created environments where actors could explore their characters deeply, drawing on her own experience to guide their work. Her visual approach emphasized emotional truth over flashy technique, using camera movement and composition to enhance narrative rather than call attention to themselves. This substantive approach to filmmaking, focused on character and story rather than technical pyrotechnics, reflected her fundamental artistic values. What made Barbra's achievement as a director particularly significant was the context in which it occurred. In the 1980s and 1990s, female directors remained exceedingly rare in Hollywood, with most relegated to small independent productions rather than major studio films. By leveraging her star power to create directing opportunities, Barbra established a precedent for female creative control in an industry structured to resist it. Her persistence in the face of institutional skepticism opened doors not just for herself but for future generations of women filmmakers who would build on her pioneering efforts.

Chapter 4: The Voice: Perfecting the Art of Musical Storytelling

At the core of Barbra Streisand's multifaceted career lies her extraordinary voice—an instrument of remarkable technical precision and emotional expressiveness. With a range spanning three octaves, perfect pitch, and exceptional breath control, her vocal abilities alone would place her among the great singers of her generation. But what truly distinguishes Barbra's singing is her approach to interpretation—her ability to find the emotional truth within lyrics and communicate it with unparalleled authenticity. Unlike many vocalists who rely primarily on technical display, Barbra approaches each song as an actress approaches a role. She immerses herself in the narrative, finding the character within the lyrics and the dramatic arc within the melody. This theatrical approach transforms even familiar standards into revelatory emotional journeys. As composer Marvin Hamlisch observed, "When Barbra sings a song, she doesn't just perform it—she inhabits it completely. You forget anyone else ever sang it before." This quality explains why songs like "People," "The Way We Were," and "Evergreen" have become so completely identified with her, despite being covered by countless other artists. Her recording process reflects the same perfectionism that characterizes all her artistic endeavors. In the studio, Barbra is famously meticulous, often recording dozens of takes to capture precisely the emotional shading she envisions. She involves herself in every aspect of production—from arrangement to microphone placement to final mix—creating a unified artistic vision rather than simply delivering a vocal performance. This comprehensive approach has sometimes frustrated collaborators accustomed to more conventional working methods, but the results speak for themselves in the extraordinary consistency and quality of her recorded output. Throughout her recording career, Barbra has demonstrated remarkable versatility, moving confidently across musical genres while maintaining her distinctive artistic identity. From Broadway standards to pop, jazz, classical, and even disco, she has consistently chosen material that challenges her abilities and expands her range as an interpreter. Albums like "Classical Barbra" (1976), where she applied her interpretive gifts to works by composers from Handel to Debussy, demonstrated her willingness to take artistic risks rather than rely on proven formulas. This adventurousness has kept her work fresh and relevant across six decades of recording. Perhaps the most striking aspect of Barbra's vocal artistry is how it has evolved over time. Unlike many singers whose technical abilities diminish with age, her voice has gained richness and emotional depth in maturity. Compare her early recordings of signature songs with later interpretations, and you hear not deterioration but development—a deepening of emotional understanding and a more nuanced approach to phrasing. This growth reflects her commitment to continuous artistic development rather than mere preservation of past achievements. Barbra's approach to concert performances further demonstrates her commitment to musical storytelling. Rather than simply presenting a collection of songs, she creates thematic journeys that integrate personal anecdotes with carefully sequenced musical selections. Her legendary 1994 concert tour, coming after a 27-year absence from live performance due to stage fright, wasn't merely a greatest hits collection but a carefully crafted narrative about her artistic journey. This conceptual approach transformed what could have been conventional concerts into meaningful theatrical experiences, elevating the form just as she had previously elevated recording and film. The impact of Barbra's vocal artistry extends far beyond her own performances. Generations of singers across genres—from Whitney Houston and Celine Dion to Adele and Lady Gaga—have cited her as a primary influence, not just vocally but in her approach to artistic integrity and emotional authenticity. By refusing to compromise her musical vision or conform to industry expectations, she created a template for female artists as complete creative forces, not just interpreters of others' material. Her legacy stands not just in the perfection of her recordings but in how she expanded the possibilities for what a female recording artist could achieve.

Chapter 5: Political Awakening: Using Fame as a Platform

Barbra Streisand's political consciousness emerged alongside her artistic development, reflecting her fundamental commitment to authenticity in all aspects of her life. Unlike many celebrities who carefully avoid controversial stances to protect their commercial appeal, Barbra has consistently used her platform to advocate for causes she believes in, often at considerable professional risk. This willingness to speak truth to power represents another dimension of her refusal to conform to limiting expectations. Her political awakening began during the turbulent 1960s, when she performed at fundraisers for civil rights organizations and anti-Vietnam War candidates. As a young star still establishing her career, such activism carried significant potential consequences in an entertainment industry that preferred its female performers to be apolitical. Yet Barbra felt a moral obligation to engage with the pressing issues of her time. "I've never been able to separate my art from my humanity," she has explained. "If I see injustice, I can't just sing a pretty song and ignore it." This commitment deepened during the 1970s, when she discovered she had been placed on President Nixon's infamous "enemies list" due to her support for progressive causes and Democratic candidates. Rather than intimidating her into silence, this targeting strengthened her resolve to speak out against what she perceived as governmental abuses of power. Her activism during this period extended beyond political campaigns to include environmental causes, nuclear disarmament, and women's equality—issues that would remain central to her advocacy throughout her career. The 1980s saw Barbra become increasingly focused and strategic in her political engagement. Concerned about the rightward shift in American politics under the Reagan administration, she organized the groundbreaking "One Voice" concert at her Malibu home in 1986. The event raised $1.5 million for progressive causes and Democratic candidates, demonstrating how artistic prominence could be leveraged for political impact. More significantly, it led to the establishment of the Streisand Foundation, which has since donated millions to organizations supporting environmental protection, civil liberties, women's issues, and democratic participation. Throughout her career, Barbra has maintained particularly strong advocacy for women's rights and gender equality. Having experienced sexism firsthand throughout her career—from being dismissed as "too controlling" when male directors were praised for the same behavior, to being denied directing opportunities despite proven success—she has been outspoken about gender discrimination in Hollywood and beyond. In 2014, she established the Barbra Streisand Women's Heart Center at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, addressing gender inequality in medical research after learning that most cardiac research had been conducted exclusively on men despite heart disease being the leading killer of women. What distinguishes Barbra's political engagement is its substantive nature. Unlike celebrities whose activism consists primarily of social media statements, she has committed significant resources—both financial and personal—to causes she believes in. She educates herself thoroughly on issues, meets with experts, and strategically deploys her influence for maximum impact. When testifying before Congress on environmental issues or meeting with political leaders about healthcare funding, she arrives meticulously prepared with facts and figures, commanding respect even from those who disagree with her politics. Throughout decades of activism, Barbra has maintained that artists have not just a right but a responsibility to engage with the pressing issues of their time. "Art is inherently political," she has said. "It should make you think, make you feel, make you want to change things." This philosophy has guided her career choices and public statements, even when taking controversial positions might have alienated potential audiences. Her willingness to risk commercial success for her principles represents a level of integrity increasingly rare in public life, cementing her legacy not just as an entertainer but as a citizen committed to creating a more just and equitable world.

Chapter 6: Personal Evolution: Finding Balance Beyond Stardom

Behind Barbra Streisand's public persona as an entertainment icon lies a complex personal journey marked by both vulnerability and strength. Her early relationships were shaped by the absence of her father, who died when she was just fifteen months old. "I never knew my father," she has reflected. "There are no photographs of him holding me as a baby. That was very disappointing." This fundamental loss created a yearning for connection that influenced her romantic relationships throughout her life. Her first marriage to actor Elliott Gould began during the Broadway run of "Funny Girl" when she was just twenty-one. The relationship provided stability during her meteoric rise to fame, but as her career expanded into film and television, the marriage faced increasing strain. The birth of their son Jason in 1966 brought tremendous joy—"I was so happy! I finally felt normal for once!"—but couldn't overcome the growing distance between them. Their divorce in 1971 marked a painful transition, particularly as Barbra struggled to balance the demands of single motherhood with her flourishing career. Throughout the 1970s and early 1980s, Barbra's romantic life became fodder for tabloid speculation as she dated several high-profile men, including Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, producer Jon Peters, and actor Don Johnson. These relationships often played out under intense media scrutiny, contributing to her increasing desire for privacy. "I never understood why people envied me," she once said. "I walk out on the street and there are people following me. I don't know what they want." The tension between her public and private selves created significant challenges. While millions admired the confident, accomplished star they saw on screen, Barbra struggled with insecurities and anxieties that few witnessed. Her legendary perfectionism, while producing extraordinary artistic results, exacted a personal toll. She developed debilitating stage fright after forgetting lyrics during a 1967 concert in Central Park, leading to a 27-year absence from live performance. This anxiety reflected the tremendous pressure she placed on herself to meet the expectations of audiences and her own exacting standards. Therapy became an important tool in Barbra's journey toward greater self-acceptance and emotional balance. Through years of self-examination, she gained insight into how childhood experiences had shaped her adult patterns. "I had to learn that perfection isn't possible," she has said of this process. "And maybe it isn't even desirable." This growing self-awareness allowed her to approach both her work and relationships with greater compassion for herself and others. It wasn't until 1996 that Barbra found lasting romantic partnership with actor James Brolin. Their relationship, which led to marriage in 1998, has provided the stability and support that eluded her earlier in life. "He has the first smile I see in the morning and the last smile I see at night," she has said of Brolin. The relationship coincided with a period of greater personal contentment and selective professional engagement, suggesting she had finally achieved a balance that had long seemed elusive. This personal evolution has been reflected in Barbra's artistic choices in recent decades. While maintaining her commitment to excellence, she has become more selective about projects, focusing on those with personal meaning rather than pursuing constant activity. Her concerts have incorporated more personal stories and reflections, revealing a woman more comfortable sharing her authentic self with audiences. This integration of personal growth and artistic expression represents a natural evolution for an artist whose work has always been grounded in emotional truth. Perhaps the most profound aspect of Barbra's personal growth has been her journey toward self-acceptance. The young woman who was told she wasn't pretty enough, whose distinctive features were mocked, and whose ambition was deemed inappropriate gradually embraced these very qualities as the source of her uniqueness. "I used to walk around with my head down, ashamed of my nose," she once admitted. "Now I realize it's what makes me special." This hard-won self-acceptance extended beyond physical appearance to encompass her outspoken nature, her perfectionism, and her unwillingness to compromise on matters of artistic integrity. In embracing these aspects of herself, Barbra transformed potential liabilities into the foundation of an authentic identity that resonates with millions of fans who have found inspiration in her journey.

Chapter 7: Legacy: Reshaping Entertainment for Generations

As Barbra Streisand approaches her ninth decade, her cultural impact extends far beyond her record-breaking achievements. With over 150 million albums sold worldwide, ten Grammy Awards, two Oscars, five Emmys, a Tony, and a Peabody Award, she stands as the only artist to have number one albums in six consecutive decades. Yet statistics alone cannot capture the profound influence she has had on entertainment and society at large. Musically, Barbra revolutionized vocal performance with her emotional transparency and technical brilliance. Unlike many of her contemporaries who adopted a more homogenized approach, she maintained her distinctive Brooklyn inflections and Jewish cultural sensibilities, refusing to sand down her ethnic identity to fit mainstream expectations. Her interpretive approach to lyrics—treating each song as a dramatic monologue with a beginning, middle, and end—influenced generations of singers from Celine Dion to Adele. Even artists who don't directly emulate her style acknowledge her as a pioneer who expanded the possibilities of what popular singing could express. As a filmmaker, her contributions have been equally significant though often underrecognized. When she directed "Yentl" in 1983, only a handful of women had helmed major studio productions. Her subsequent directorial efforts—"The Prince of Tides" and "The Mirror Has Two Faces"—further demonstrated her visual storytelling abilities and skill with actors. Though the Academy consistently overlooked her directorial achievements, time has vindicated her work, with many contemporary female directors citing her as an inspiration and role model who proved women could successfully navigate the male-dominated studio system. Perhaps most importantly, Barbra redefined what a female entertainment icon could be. She refused to conform to conventional beauty standards, embracing her distinctive features rather than surgically altering them. She insisted on creative control at a time when women were expected to be malleable vessels for male directors' and producers' visions. She spoke openly about politics when female celebrities were advised to remain apolitical. In doing so, she created a template for authentic artistic expression that values substance over surface and personal truth over marketability. Her perfectionism, often criticized as difficult behavior, has been reappraised in recent years as necessary artistic integrity. What was once dismissed as "diva" behavior is increasingly recognized as the same exacting standards male directors like Kubrick or Coppola were praised for maintaining. This reassessment reflects broader cultural shifts in understanding how gender bias shapes perceptions of ambition and authority, with Barbra's career serving as a case study in the double standards women face in creative industries. For Jewish Americans in particular, Barbra's unapologetic embrace of her heritage represented a watershed moment. At a time when many Jewish performers changed their names and downplayed their backgrounds to succeed in Hollywood, she proudly maintained her identity and incorporated Jewish themes and characters into her work. This visibility helped normalize Jewish presence in American popular culture and provided representation for a community still processing the trauma of the Holocaust within living memory. Beyond her artistic contributions, Barbra's philanthropic work has created lasting impact through the Streisand Foundation's support for environmental protection, civil liberties, women's health research, and democratic participation. The Barbra Streisand Women's Heart Center at Cedars-Sinai has pioneered gender-specific cardiac research, addressing historical inequities in medical science. More recently, the establishment of the Barbra Streisand Institute at UCLA focuses on truth in public discourse, climate change, intimacy and power between genders, and the impact of art on culture—areas that reflect her lifelong commitments. As she continues to create—releasing albums, performing concerts, writing her autobiography, and developing film projects—Barbra demonstrates that artistic vitality need not diminish with age. Her longevity serves as a rebuke to an industry that often discards female performers as they mature, proving that audiences remain hungry for authentic voices regardless of demographic marketing categories. The standing ovations that greet her rare public performances testify to a connection with audiences that transcends generational boundaries and confirms her status as not merely a star but a cultural touchstone whose influence will endure long after the final curtain falls.

Summary

Barbra Streisand's extraordinary journey from Brooklyn obscurity to global icon represents one of the most remarkable careers in entertainment history. Her legacy transcends her unprecedented achievements across multiple disciplines—singing, acting, directing, producing, and philanthropy—to encompass how she fundamentally transformed our cultural understanding of female power and artistic authenticity. By refusing to compromise her vision, alter her appearance, or silence her voice—both literal and metaphorical—she created a template for success based not on conformity but on the courage to remain true to one's unique gifts and perspectives. The lessons of Streisand's life resonate far beyond the entertainment industry. Her persistence in the face of rejection, her willingness to challenge institutional barriers, and her refusal to separate her artistic expression from her personal values offer inspiration to anyone pursuing their own path against conventional wisdom. For women especially, her insistence on creative control and her ability to transform perceived liabilities into distinctive strengths provide a powerful model for authentic leadership and self-definition. In both her triumphs and struggles, Barbra Streisand embodies the transformative potential of combining extraordinary talent with uncompromising vision and the courage to remain authentically oneself—a legacy that continues to inspire new generations to pursue their own unique voices and visions, regardless of whether they conform to existing expectations.

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Barbra Streisand

Barbra Streisand is an American two time Academy Award-winning singer, film and theatre actress. She has also achieved some note as a composer, political activist, film producer and director. She has won Oscars for Best Actress and Best Original Song as well as multiple Emmy Awards, Grammy Awards, and Golden Globe Awards.She is considered one of the most commercially and critically successful female entertainers in modern entertainment history and one of the best selling solo recording artists in the US, with RIAA-certified shipments of over 71 million albums. She is the highest ranking female artist on the Recording Industry Association of America's (RIAA) Top Selling Artists list. She has sold approximately 145 million albums worldwide.[citation needed]Streisand is a member of the short list of entertainers with the distinction of having won an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar and a Tony award.

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