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James Brolin Reveals He Was Celibate for Three Years Before Marrying Barbra Streisand

James Brolin Reveals He Was Celibate for Three Years Before Marrying Barbra Streisand

A little over 25 years after saying “I do” to Barbra Streisand, James Brolin reveals some interesting facts about his marriage to the singing icon. 

While promoting her new memoir My Name is Barbra, Streisand spoke to CBS Mornings earlier this week about what she and Brolin were like when they first got together. “I had to try him out for at least three years,” Streisand joked. To which Brolin declared “And I had been – literally, this is a wild word – but I had been celibate for three years, saying, ‘Who needs this?’”

In her response, Barbra Streisand playfully swatted James Brolin’s knee and declared “You’re not supposed to tell that.” 

Meanwhile, Brolin spoke about wanting to make sure this was the relationship for him. Before meeting Streisand in the mid-90s, Brolin was married twice. Streisand was previously married to Elliott Gould from 1963 to 1971. “I had not had any interest in getting involved in a lousy situation,” Brolin explained. 

When CBS’ Gayle King said that three years of celibacy must have resulted in a “hell of a night,” James Brolin responded with, “Wild,” which caused everyone on stage to crack up laughing. 

King also read part of Brolin’s anniversary letter to Streisand. “Home is not a place; home is a person. You know someone is right for you you love to be with them all the time. And when I go, when I finally go, I will love you then.” 

Barbra Streisand Says She Wants to ‘Live Life’ and ‘Wander’  in James Brolin’s Truck 

Meanwhile, Barbra Streisand opened up about her future plans and how she wants to spend more time with her husband, James Brolin, as well as their family. 

“I want to live life,” Streisand stated. “I want to get in my husband’s truck and just wander, hopefully with the children somewhere near us. Life is fun for me when they come over. They love playing with the dogs and we have fun.”

However, Streisand admitted that she hasn’t had much fun in her life. “And I want to have more fun,” she continued. She has a son Jason Gould as well as her three stepchildren Josh, Jess, and Molly. She also has four grandchildren Trevor, Eden, Westlyn, and Chapel.

Streisand also wrote about first meeting James Brolin at a point in her life when she had basically given up on finding someone. “I had my son, I had great friends to keep me company, my work was fulfilling, and I loved my new house in Malibu overlooking the ocean. Maybe you have to be happy with yourself before you can be happy with someone else.”