Barbra Streisand - Barbra Streisand Opens Malibu Home For Heart Disease Fundraiser

Barbra Streisand has hosted a lucrative, star-studded fundraiser in her Malibu home, to raise money for research into women's heart disease. During the glitzy event, Streisand performed live for her guests, who included the fashion designer Donna Karan as well as the actors Diane Lane and Streisand's husband, James Brolin and his son Josh Brolin. The Press Association reports that guests paid up to $100,000 per couple for their tickets to the event and got the chance to watch the veteran Hollywood star perform four songs for them, including the Grammy-winning song 'Evergreen.' The comedian, Martin Short acted as master of ceremonies for the evening.

Speaking about her reasons for holding the event, Streisand said that she was spurred on to raise money specifically for research into heart disease in women, as the focus of heart disease research tends to focus on men. The singer explained that she "can't stand inequality, whether it's about civil rights, gay rights or gender discrimination. Even in scientific research, women are still treated as second-class citizens," she explained "and to me, that's just unacceptable." The former US president Bill Clinton also attended the dinner and gave a speech.

Streisand herself has personally donated 10 million dollars to a new research centre and treatment facility, named the Barbra Streisand Women's Heart Centre at Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre. She has reportedly also solicited million dollar donations from wealthy friends.