When Barbra Streisand Briefly Dated Justin Trudeau’s Dad, Ex-Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau

Amidst the glitz and glamour of the late 1960s, Barbra Streisand and former Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau came together in an enchanting yet short-lived love story. Streisand, the acclaimed singer and actress, openly admitted that their relationship was not destined to endure, largely because of the significant 23-year age disparity between them. Nevertheless, their combined fame solidified their status as one of the most iconic couples of that era. As time passed, Streisand candidly discussed Trudeau in various interviews and even delved into their connection in her memoir titled Hi, My Name Is Barbra , which was published in November 2023.

As reported by PEOPLE , their initial meeting took place in 1968 at the premiere of Streisand’s film Funny Girl . Yet, Streisand revealed in her memoir that she had been acquainted with the then-newly elected Prime Minister even before their formal introduction. Months earlier, she had come across a magazine article featuring Trudeau, sparking an intrigue that led her to mention to a friend that he was the type of man she would find ‘like to date.’ Upon meeting him face-to-face, Streisand discovered Trudeau to have an undeniable charm that left an impression on her. Additionally, in 2018, she disclosed that she had made a lasting impact on Trudeau’s architectural tastes.

The Yentl actress also recalled Trudeau being notably more worldly compared to other men she had been involved with. She said, “Trudeau was very dapper, intelligent, intense … kind of a combination of Albert Einstein and Napoleon (only taller). And he was doing important work. I was dazzled.” During their time together, they graced numerous formal gatherings, capturing the spotlight as a prominent couple. Despite their public presence, their relationship didn’t stand the test of time. She stated, “He was a captivating combination of contradictions. An elegant man who was still enough of a free spirit of wear sandals to Parliament. But for me, there was still something missing.”

“My brain was in love, but not my body,” said Streisand. While their romantic relationship never fully blossomed into something more, they forged a lasting and enduring friendship that spanned decades. Over 30 years, the two maintained a meaningful connection. Their paths crossed again in 1994 when Streisand extended him an invitation to an Elie Wiesel Foundation dinner dedicated to honoring Hillary Clinton. Furthermore, in 2000, Streisand discovered that he had fallen ill, prompting her to express in a heartfelt letter the depth of their connection and the significance he held in her life.

As per Nicki Swift , their enduring and strong connection reached such a depth that it nearly transitioned into a marriage. “When he died later that year, the world lost a great leader … and I lost a great friend,” she said. Naturally, his legacy endured through his son, Justin Trudeau, who consented to give Streisand a tour of his late father’s residence, a home passionately restored by the elder Trudeau over the years to reflect its original grandeur.