If you’ve ever watched Funny Girl or The Way We Were, you’ve probably noticed that Barbra Streisand has this way of owning every single frame she’s in. It’s a presence. She’s got this "large and in charge" energy that makes her feel like she’s towering over everyone else, even when she’s standing next to Hollywood hunks like Robert Redford. But if you actually put her next to a measuring tape, the numbers might surprise you.
How Tall Is Barbra Streisand, Really?
Basically, Barbra Streisand stands at 5 feet 5 inches tall.
That’s about 165 centimeters for those of you on the metric system.
Honestly, 5'5" is the definition of average. According to the CDC, the average height for an adult woman in the U.S. is around 5 feet 4 inches. So, Barbra is actually a tiny bit taller than the statistical norm, but she’s certainly not the "Amazonian" figure her stage presence often suggests.
She once joked in a 1969 interview that she’s "5’5” tall and when I’m not overweight I weigh 110 pounds." Of course, weight fluctuates for everyone, but that height has stayed the consistent baseline throughout her six-decade career.
The Illusion of Stature
Why do we think she’s taller? It’s the "star quality" thing.
Proportion matters. Streisand has a "moderate Soft Dramatic" silhouette, at least according to the folks over in the Kibbe body typing community. This means she has a natural "vertical line." Her limbs are long for her frame, and she’s rarely seen without a pair of heels that add a good 3 or 4 inches to her stature.
When she directed Yentl, she was famously a powerhouse on set. She was the first woman to write, produce, direct, and star in a major studio film. When you’re calling the shots like that, nobody is looking down at you. You’re the tallest person in the room by default.
The Co-Star Comparison
One of the best ways to gauge a celebrity's height is to see them standing next to someone whose stats we know for sure.
- James Brolin: Her husband of over 25 years is a solid 6 feet 4 inches. When they stand together on a red carpet, the height difference is pretty dramatic. Even in her tallest stilettos, Barbra usually only comes up to his shoulder. It’s kinda sweet, actually.
- Robert Redford: In The Way We Were, Redford (who is about 5'10") looks significantly taller than Barbra, but the cinematography was designed to make them look like a classic romantic pair.
- Omar Sharif: Her Funny Girl co-star was around 5'11". If you watch the "Don’t Rain on My Parade" sequences, you’ll notice she uses her movement and posture to bridge that 6-inch gap.
The "Difficult" Label and Height
There’s a weird psychological thing in Hollywood.
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When a woman is assertive, she’s often described as "imposing." Barbra has been called "difficult" or "demanding" for years—labels she’s pushed back against, noting that men who do the same thing are just called "committed."
This perceived "bigness" of personality often translates into people remembering her as being physically larger than she is. You’ll find fans on Reddit who have met her in person and are shocked to find she’s a "normal" size. One fan noted, "I met her at a party and based off her proportions I would have told you she was 5’10”."
That’s the Streisand magic.
Why Her Height Never Held Her Back
In the early 60s, Hollywood had a very specific "look" for leading ladies. Think Audrey Hepburn or Grace Kelly. Barbra didn't fit that mold. She was a girl from Brooklyn with a "non-standard" nose and a voice that could break windows.
She didn't try to shrink herself.
She leaned into being different. By being 5'5", she was tall enough to carry off high-fashion gowns but short enough to play the "vulnerable underdog" when she needed to.
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Beyond the Inches
The real "height" of Barbra Streisand isn't measured in feet and inches. It’s measured in EGOTs.
- Emmy: 5 wins
- Grammy: 10 wins (including a Lifetime Achievement Award)
- Oscar: 2 wins (one for acting, one for composing "Evergreen")
- Tony: 1 Special Award
She’s the only artist to have a #1 album in six different decades. When you have that kind of legacy, your physical height is basically a footnote.
Finding Your Own "Vertical"
If you’re 5'5" like Barbra, you’ve actually got a lot of versatility.
You aren't so tall that you struggle with standard clothing sizes, but you aren't so petite that you get lost in a crowd. Barbra’s style has always focused on long lines—monochromatic outfits, floor-length capes, and high-waisted trousers. These are classic "height-boosting" tricks that work for anyone.
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Honestly, the takeaway here isn't just a number. It's about how you carry the inches you have. Barbra Streisand taught us that you can be "average" height and still be a giant in your field.
Next Steps for the Streisand Fan:
If you're curious about how Barbra maintained her iconic look throughout the years, you might want to check out the costume design history of Funny Girl. The way they used 1910s-style silhouettes actually played up her 5'5" frame to make her look more "willowy" and theatrical. It's a masterclass in using fashion to manipulate perception.