Barbra Steisand is known for many things. Her singing, acting, and directing have received many accolades. She is one of the few to receive an Oscar, a Grammy, an Emmy, and a Tony award. She was named the Best Selling Female Singer of the 20th Century, having sold over 68 million records. She is the only artist to have a Billboard #1 album in four decades (60’s, 70’s, 80’s and 90’s). But, according to a new biography titled “Barbra: The Way She Is” by Christopher Andersen, she has also dated some of the most famous men in the world.
I was aware of some of the men Barbara had dated. I remember Jon Peters, whom she dated during the 70’s. I knew of her marriage and subsequent divorce from Elliott Gould. And of course, her romance with current husband James Brolin. But, did you know Elvis wooed her. Of course, this was while he was doing concerts in Las Vegas, so he was not young, handsome Elvis, but older, fatter Elvis at best. She dated actor Don Johnson for a year in 1988 until he left her to remarry first wife Melanie Griffith. She and Warren Beatty reportedly spent a few days together in 1972, but then who in Hollywood did not spend time with Warren Beatty in the 70’s? She dated hunky Steve McQueen – as payback to Ryan O’Neal for cheating on her. What a revenge date!
There were younger men in her life as well. When Barbra was 50, she dated tennis ace Andre Agassi, who at 23 was 27 younger her junior. Actor Peter Weller was five years younger than she was when they dated.
She had a “private tea” with Prince Charles, but he was not the only man of Princess Diana’s that she saw. She also dated Dodi al-Fayed, Princess Diana’s boyfriend at the time of her death. Throw in newsman Peter Jennings, actors Richard Gere and Jon Voight, and renaissance man Kris Kristoffersen, and Barbra has had quite a colorful past. But, those days seem to be over as she seems to have found the love of her life in James Brolin. They will celebrate their eighth anniversary this July. However, it is still fun to remember “the way she was.”
If you would like to read more about Barbra and her men, the book “Barbra: The Way She Is” is available at Amazon.com or check out Marjorie’s blog about Barbra.