If there’s one thing Brooklynites love, it’s their mothers. And there’s nothing like a Brooklyn mom! The following women prove our point:
Barbra Streisand
Barbra is probably one of Brooklyn’s most famous children. Then she went and married another famous Brooklynite, Elliot Gould who’s from Bensonhurst, making a dynamic duo. The two had a child named Jason who is an incredible singer just like his mom. You can hear the two of them singing Irving Berlin’s “How Deep Is the Ocean,” on her album “Partners”.
“When he was 15, I heard him through the door, and I brought it up that the humming was such a beautiful sound. He said, ‘Mom, just go away!’” Imagine him having this beautiful voice and not using it because he was afraid of the comparison [with me]. But then he said, ‘My need to express myself was greater than my fear.’ That’s courage.”
Joan Rivers
Joan Rivers grew up in the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn before becoming the mother of all comedians and mother to actress Melissa Rivers.
When Melissa was 9 months old, Joan and her husband had their baby delivered to Johnny Carson as a birthday gift. They attached a note that read:
“We wanted to thank you for everything you’ve done for us, so we’ve sent you our most prized possession, our daughter, Melissa. FYI, she doesn’t like Brussels sprouts; they make her windy.”
Priscilla Presley
Priscilla Ann Wagner was born at Bay Ridge Hospital in Brooklyn while her Dad was stationed at Fort Hamilton.
Here’s what she had to say about how motherhood changed her,
“My God, this is a product of Elvis and me and I’m going to be there for her. The moment you have the child, everything changes. It is terrifying and it is beautiful and it changed my life and it brought Elvis and me closer together.”
Anne Hathaway
Anne Hathaway attended Brooklyn Montessori when she was a child. Now that she’s a mother she has solid advice for all women who might struggle with motherhood.
“We’re all dealing with balance, but I just don’t want to feel guilty. […] I don’t need to be a perfect mom to be a good mom. So I just try to not let that get to me. I had to learn a long time ago to not let my feelings about not being perfect stand in the way of enjoying my life.”
Anne Meara
Anne Meara and Brooklynite husband, Jerry Stiller, raised some of the funniest kids in entertainment. It’s no wonder why, people from Brooklyn have a special sort of wit about them.
Her son Ben Stiller knows exactly where his talent and success come from:
“Whatever talent I had, I’m sure it helped that my parents were in the business and that I grew up around actors, comedians and directors.”
Another time he stated, “If my parents were, like, plumbers, who knows what I would be doing?”
Leah Remini
Photo: Leah Remini Instagram
Actress and activist Leah Remini was born in Bensonhurst, but moved to Los Angeles at an early age with her mother. She didn’t forget her Brooklyn roots as she taught her daughter the proper way to eat a slice at Da Vinci Pizzeria in Brooklyn.
“My actions and the things I say and do, I wonder if they have an effect on my daughter and the way she’s going to be as a person. I just want her to be a good person.”
Connie Stevens
Connie Stevens was born Concetta Rosalie Ann Ingoglia in Brooklyn. She had two daughters with then husband Eddie Fisher who both happen to be actresses: Joely Fischer and Tricia Leigh Fisher.
“I was more secure being a mother than I was walking on a set. I was a single mom that raised two bright, beautiful, and compassionate girls.”
It’s easy to see what makes Brooklyn mothers so special. What makes your mom special? Tell us in the comments.
Judge Judy Sheindlin
Judge Judy may be tough in court, but she’s a pushover with her grandkids. She has 12 of them!
“Welcoming this beautiful little girl is a treat, but whoever said it’s cheaper by the dozen … hasn’t had a dozen grandchildren.”
“I spoil them. I’m trying to think of how we don’t, but the answer is we do. We don’t even think we’re doing it, but their parents are very smart. They try to put the skids on it.”
