Barbra Streisand is showbiz royalty, and few people are apt to argue that fact. It’s difficult enough to excel at one career, yet Streisand has managed to build a career, as a successful singer, actress, and film director, that has lasted for more than forty years, an almost unthinkable accomplishment in the fickle and cutthroat entertainment industry.

Streisand got her start in the 1960s, when she left her regular nightclub performing gig for the bright lights of Broadway. She joined the cast of “I Can Get It For You Wholesale,” in 1962, and the following year secured her own recording contract with Columbia Records. Her debut album, “The Barbra Streisand Album,” was released in 1963 and quickly went gold. It also shot to the top of the charts, officially making Streisand a force with which to be reckoned.

In 1964, Streisand opted for another starring role on Broadway, this time in “Funny Girl,” rather than release another album. She would stay in that role for two years before making the leap to television with her first special “My Name is Barbra.”

The bright lights of Hollywood beckoned shortly thereafter, and Streisand found herself in Tinseltown while filming “Funny Girl,” a role that garnered her the prestigious Academy Award. From there, Streisand again turned to music with the hit single, “Stoney End.”

Soon, Streisand realized she could have it all in one fall swoop. She starred in the film, “The Way We Were,” and scored her first number one hit with the film’s theme song. She did the same with “A Star Is Born.” From then on, everything she touched turned to gold, and her ensuing albums would all earn the distinction of selling at least a million copies.

Streisand would also release numerous successful duets, including “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers” with Neil Diamond, and “No More Tears” with Donna Summer. The dawn of the 1980s brought with it Streisand’s biggest success with her album “Guilty.” The 1980 released album also produced the hit single, “Woman in Love.”

While she was on fire musically, and Barbara Streisand concert tickets were at a premium, Streisand’s focus turned to a new creative activity: directing. She made her directorial debut with the successful film, “Yentl” in 1983. She would return to the director’s chair with “The Prince of Tides” in 1994. In 1996, she followed by directing “The Mirror Has Two Faces.”

Despite her directing and acting, Streisand still found time for music and went on to release numerous albums, including “The Concert” (1994), “A Love Like Ours” (1999), and “Guilty Pleasures” (2005).

It’s been more than four decades since her debut, and Streisand still shows no sign of slowing down, having earned her a spot as one of the most well-respected singers, actresses, and directors in the entertainment industry.