Barbara Joan Streisand was born in Brooklyn, New York, to Diana (née Ida Rosen), a school secretary, and Emanuel Streisand, a high school teacher. Her early life was marked by the absence of her father, who died when she was just 15 months old. This early loss deeply impacted her and fueled her ambition to succeed.

Streisand began her career singing in Greenwich Village nightclubs, quickly gaining attention for her powerful voice and unique interpretations of classic songs. She won a talent contest at the Lion, a gay nightclub in Greenwich Village, in 1960. These early performances honed her craft and laid the groundwork for her future success.