Alan Bergman, Oscar-winning songwriter behind Barbra Streisand classics, dies at 99

Alan Bergman, legendary songwriter and one-half of the Bergman songwriting duo has passed away at age 99. Alan and his wife Marilyn Bergman who passed away in 2022 were responsible for some of the hit songs from Frank Sinatra, Barbara Streisand and Sting.

A spokesperson for Bergman revealed in a statement that Bergman died with Julie Bergman, his daughter, by his side. The songwriter is also reported to have battled with respiratory issues:

"Bergman suffered from respiratory issues in recent months, but continued to write songs till the very end."

Barbara Streisand, who recorded the song The Way, written by Bergam paid tribute to the late songwriter in an Instagram post on July 18, 2025. Streisand stated that Bergman was not only a prolific lyricist, but also an incredible husband, father and grandfather.

She added:

"We met over 60 years ago, and we never stopped loving each other and collaborating together," the singer wrote. "My last conversation with him was about a wonderful song he was working on. At 99, his creative gifts still flowed. I think he’s again in Marilyn’s warm embrace, and I’m sure they have started collaborating again on another song! I will miss them both."

Alan and Marilyn Bergman won three Oscar awards, two Grammys, four Emmys and were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1980.

Who was Alan Bergman? More details about the legendary songwriter explored as he passed away at 99

Alan Bergman was one-half of the songwriting couple Alan and Marlyn. They wrote lyrics for the critically-acclaimed soundtracks The Way We Were and The Windmills of Your Mind. The group also created theme songs for Maude, Alice, Good Times and other 1970s television comedies.

Alan described songwriting in 1980 as an enjoyable process:

"Making songs is very enjoyable. There's not much pain connected with it. When you're creating something, you sometimes have to go through a lot of stupid or silly things to spark your collaboration. You learn to say what comes into your head."

Marilyn explained how the songwriting process worked between them, adding that they always had to reach a compromise. Alan Bergman said that when either of them felt strongly about a creative process, the rule was to sleep on it and search for an alternative option.

When Marliyn passed away in 2022, Alan Bergman kept writing and in an August 2022 interview reminisced over how he would sit facing her as they tossed ideas back and forth.

Alan Bergman is survived by Julie Bergman, his daughter and Emily Sender, his granddaughter.

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