Last night (April 22, 2013), Barbra Streisand was the centre of attention at the Lincoln Center in New York. The 70 year old actress, singer, and filmmaker received the Film Society of Lincoln Center’s 40th annual Chaplin award, CBC News reports. Throughout the evening, tribute was paid to the star, with a variety of musical lumanaries taking to the stage to praise her work, or sending in video messages that were played to those gathered for the glitzy event.

“Ever since I can remember, people have been calling me bossy and opinionated," Streisand said, accepting the award. “Maybe that's because I am. Three cheers for bossy women!" she declared, sparking roars from the star-studded audience. Streisand has won Oscar awards, Tony awards and Emmys for various aspects of her work but last night was solely focused on the entirety of her show-business career. “Thank God I was given a good voice,” she joked.

Paying tribute to the star were the jazz trumpeter Wynton Marsalis, along with singers Liza Minnelli and Tony Bennett. Her former movie co-stars, Omar Sharif, Blythe Danner, Ben Stiller and Robert Redford all chipped in with warm words about the actress. Even President Bill Clinton had a thing or two to say: “Every great person is driven," friend and former U.S. president Bill Clinton said onstage. But if that person has massive talent, big brains and a bigger heart, you want to go along for the ride." 

Barbra Streisand
Barbra Streisand at last night's awards

Barbra Streisand
Streisand, with James Brolin, at the Lincoln Center