Barbra Streisand and Stevie Wonder
Barbra Streisand made “People” famous in Funny Girl in 1964. Fifty years later, she recorded it again, this time as a duet with Stevie Wonder, who added his harmonica and soulful voice to her classic. The pairing brought together two of the most celebrated voices in music history.
Barbra Streisand and Stevie Wonder have won dozens of Grammys between them and sold hundreds of millions of records. This article looks at their lives, their careers, their famous duet, and where each stands in 2026.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Barbra Streisand | Stevie Wonder |
|---|---|---|
| Born | April 24, 1942, Brooklyn, New York | May 13, 1950, Saginaw, Michigan |
| Age in 2026 | 84 | 76 |
| Education | Erasmus Hall High School | Michigan School for the Blind |
| Known for | “The Way We Were,” Funny Girl, Yentl | “Superstition,” “Isn’t She Lovely,” Songs in the Key of Life |
| Grammy wins | Ten, including honorary awards | 25 |
| Their duet | “People” on Partners (2014) | “People” on Partners (2014) |
| 2026 update | Honorary Palme d’Or at Cannes; sang at the Oscars | Songs in the Key of Life 50th anniversary tour |
Barbra Streisand: The EGOT Icon
Early Life and Education
Barbara Joan Streisand grew up in Brooklyn. Her father died when she was 15 months old, and her family struggled with money. She sang in her building’s hallways and dreamed of acting. She graduated from Erasmus Hall High School at 16 and soon began singing in Greenwich Village nightclubs.
Career Timeline
- 1962: Made her Broadway debut in I Can Get It for You Wholesale.
- 1963: Released The Barbra Streisand Album, which won two Grammys.
- 1964: Starred as Fanny Brice in Funny Girl on Broadway and sang “People.”
- 1968: Won the Best Actress Oscar for the Funny Girl film.
- 1973: Starred with Robert Redford in The Way We Were.
- 1976: Won an Oscar for co-writing “Evergreen.”
- 1983: Directed, produced, and starred in Yentl.
- 2004: Starred in Meet the Fockers.
- 2014: Released Partners, a duets album featuring Stevie Wonder.
- 2023: Published her memoir, My Name Is Barbra.
- 2025: Released The Secret of Life: Partners Volume Two.
- 2026: Sang “The Way We Were” at the Oscars to honor Robert Redford and received an honorary Palme d’Or at Cannes.
Streisand Today
Streisand has sold more than 150 million records and has had No. 1 albums in six decades. She’s one of the few people to win an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony. She lives in Malibu with her husband, James Brolin.
Stevie Wonder: The Musical Genius
Early Life and Education
Stevland Hardaway Judkins was born six weeks early in Saginaw, Michigan. Too much oxygen in his incubator caused him to lose his sight. His family moved to Detroit, where he learned piano, harmonica, and drums as a young child. He signed with Motown at 11 and attended the Michigan School for the Blind, where he studied classical piano.
Career Timeline
- 1961: Signed with Motown’s Tamla label at age 11.
- 1963: “Fingertips” made him the youngest artist to top the Billboard Hot 100, at 13.
- 1972: Released Talking Book with “Superstition” and “You Are the Sunshine of My Life.”
- 1973: Released Innervisions and survived a serious car crash.
- 1976: Released Songs in the Key of Life, often called one of the greatest albums ever.
- 1983: Led the campaign that made Martin Luther King Jr. Day a national holiday.
- 1985: Won the Oscar for “I Just Called to Say I Love You.”
- 1989: Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
- 2014: Received the Presidential Medal of Freedom and recorded “People” with Streisand.
- 2026: Launched a world tour for the 50th anniversary of Songs in the Key of Life.
Wonder Today
Wonder has won 25 Grammys, one of the highest totals ever. In fall 2026, he’s performing Songs in the Key of Life in full on a tour that runs from Europe to North America. He has said his next album, Through the Eyes of Wonder, will arrive in 2027.
The “People” Duet
The clearest link between Barbra Streisand and Stevie Wonder is their recording of “People.” Streisand first sang it in Funny Girl on Broadway in 1964, and it became one of her signature songs. In 2014, she included a new version with Wonder on Partners, an album of duets with famous male singers.
Partners went to No. 1 on the Billboard 200, making Streisand the first artist to top that chart in six straight decades.
Two Ways to Make Music History
| Achievement | Barbra Streisand | Stevie Wonder |
|---|---|---|
| Child start | Nightclub singer at 18 | Motown star at 11 |
| Signature album | The Barbra Streisand Album | Songs in the Key of Life |
| Oscars | Two | One |
| Biggest strength | Voice, acting, directing | Songwriting, instruments, voice |
| Social cause | Women’s heart health, politics | Civil rights, MLK Day |
Streisand built her fame as a performer, actress, and director. Wonder built his as a songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist who often plays every part on his records.
Activism
Both legends have used their fame for causes.
Streisand has supported women’s heart health research at Cedars-Sinai and backed many political causes over the years.
Wonder led the push to make Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday a federal holiday. His song “Happy Birthday” helped rally support. Ronald Reagan signed the holiday into law in 1983.
Overcoming Challenges
Barbra Streisand and Stevie Wonder both faced challenges early in life. Streisand lost her father as a baby and grew up poor. Wonder lost his sight as an infant. Both turned those early struggles into drive.
Streisand also battled severe stage fright for years and avoided live concerts for almost three decades. Wonder survived a car crash in 1973 that left him in a coma for days.
Why People Search for Them Together
Searches for Barbra Streisand and Stevie Wonder often come from fans of their duet and from readers comparing music legends. Both are on almost every list of the greatest singers of all time, and both remain active in their 70s and 80s.
Lessons From Their Paths
- Start early and keep going. Wonder signed at 11. Streisand was on Broadway by 20.
- Collaborate across styles. Their duet blended Broadway and soul.
- Use your voice for good. Both are known for activism.
- Celebrate your legacy. In 2026, both were honored for decades of work.
Duets Beyond Their Pairing
Both legends love collaborations. Streisand has sung famous duets with Neil Diamond, Barry Gibb, Celine Dion, and Bryan Adams. Wonder has recorded with Paul McCartney, Michael Jackson, Ariana Grande, and many others. Their pairing shows how Barbra Streisand and Stevie Wonder enjoy blending their voices with other artists.
Their Impact on Younger Artists
Singers from Lady Gaga to Beyoncé have named Streisand and Wonder as major influences. Gaga’s A Star Is Born echoed Streisand’s 1976 version, and Wonder’s songwriting has shaped R&B and pop for decades. Fans who love Barbra Streisand and Stevie Wonder can hear their influence in many of today’s biggest hits.
Marriage and Family
Streisand married actor Elliott Gould in 1963 and has a son, Jason Gould. She married James Brolin in 1998. Wonder has nine children and married fashion designer Tomeeka Robyn Bracy in 2017. Both have spoken about how family keeps them grounded.
Final Thoughts
Barbra Streisand and Stevie Wonder represent different sides of American music, Broadway and pop on one side and soul and funk on the other. Their 2014 duet on “People” brought those worlds together.
In 2026, Streisand was honored at Cannes and sang at the Oscars, while Wonder took Songs in the Key of Life on a 50th anniversary tour. Both remain legends still adding to their stories.
Key Takeaways
- Barbra Streisand was born April 24, 1942, in Brooklyn. Stevie Wonder was born May 13, 1950, in Saginaw, Michigan.
- Barbra Streisand and Stevie Wonder recorded “People” together on Streisand’s 2014 album Partners.
- Streisand graduated from Erasmus Hall High School. Wonder attended the Michigan School for the Blind.
- Streisand is an EGOT winner with two Oscars. Wonder has 25 Grammys and an Oscar.
- Wonder led the campaign for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
- In 2026, Streisand received an honorary Palme d’Or and sang at the Oscars for Robert Redford.
- In fall 2026, Wonder began a world tour for the 50th anniversary of Songs in the Key of Life.
