Barbra Streisand is set to receive an incredible lifetime achievement honor at the 79th Festival de Cannes awards ceremony, as it was announced that she will be receiving an honorary Palme d’Or.
However, the legendary EGOT winner revealed that she is unable to attend after suffering a knee injury.
She is the third recipient of a Cannes honorary Palme d’Or this year, joining “Lord of the Rings” filmmaker Peter Jackson and John Travolta.
Barbra Streisand Shares A Statement, Revealing Why She Will Be Absent
Streisand announced the news in a statement
“On the advice of my doctors, as I continue recovering from a knee injury, I am sadly unable to attend the Festival de Cannes this year,” Streisand said (per Variety). “But I am deeply honored to receive the honorary Palme d’Or and had so been looking forward to celebrating the remarkable films of the 79th edition.”
“I was also very much looking forward to spending time with colleagues whom I so admire — and, of course, returning to France, a place I have always loved,” she added. “While I regret that I can’t be there in person, I want to extend my warmest congratulations to all of the filmmakers from around the world whose extraordinary talent and creative vision are being celebrated this year. My heartfelt thanks to the Festival, and to everyone who continues to support and champion the art of cinema.”
Streisand will be honored during the closing ceremony on May 23.
“Iris Knobloch, Thierry Frémaux and the entire festival team send Barbra Streisand their warmest wishes for a prompt recovery,” the festival said in a press release.
When it was first announced that she would be receiving this award, Streisand took to Instagram to share how much this meant to her.
t is with a sense of pride and deep humility, that I’m honored to join the company of past Honorary Palme d’Or recipients whose work has long inspired me,” she shared. “In these challenging times, movies have the ability to open our hearts and minds to stories that reflect our shared humanity, and to perspectives that remind us of both our fragility and our resilience. Cinema transcends borders and politics, and affirms the power of imagination to shape a more compassionate world.”
Fans Send Well Wishes To Barbra Streisand Following News Of Her Knee Injury
Getty“I’m very sorry to hear that she’s not feeling well. Wishing her a fast recovery,” one person wrote.
“Barbra Streisand’s absence from Cannes due to injury adds a subdued note to an otherwise celebratory moment at the festival. Her Honorary Palme d’Or recognition underscores a landmark career in film and music, and the statement maintains a tone of gratitude and professionalism despite the disappointment of not attending in person,” another person commented.
“Barbra Streisand missing Cannes due to injury is disappointing, especially for such a major honorary moment—but health comes first. Still, a well-deserved recognition for her legendary career,” someone posted.
