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Barbara Branden (born 1929, Winnipeg, Manitoba) is a writer, editor, and lecturer. She is the author of The Passion of Ayn Rand, a biography.

Barbara met her husband, Nathaniel Branden, on account of their mutual interest in Ayn Rand's works. The two married, with Rand and her husband, Frank O'Connor, serving as the bridesmaid and best man, respectively. Barbara cowrote the book Who Is Ayn Rand? with Nathaniel in 1960. This was the first biography of Rand, and it was influential in the formation of the Objectivist movement. Rand considered Barbara to be one of the most important proponents of Objectivism, second only to Nathaniel.

In 1954, Nathaniel and Rand began a romantic affair, to the dismay of Barbara. Despite her knowledge and nominal acceptance of the affair it eventually led to the couple's separation in 1965.

In 1968, Ayn Rand terminated her relationship with Nathaniel Branden after she discovered that he was engaged in an ongoing romantic relationship with actress Patrecia Scott, and with Barbara for keeping this from her.

Barbara Branden has remained active in Objectivist circles and, in 1986, published The Passion of Ayn Rand, a biography. Her book portrayed Rand as a brilliant but temperamental woman. In 1999, the Showtime cable network adapted her book into a film, in which she was portrayed by Julie Delpy, and Ayn Rand by Helen Mirren.

The details of the split between the Brandens and Ayn Rand, as well as the contents of her book, are disputed by James S. Valliant in his book. The Passion of Ayn Rand's Critics.

Barbara Branden currently lives in Los Angeles, California. She is the (estranged) cousin of Leonard Peikoff.

• Branden, Barbara; Nathaniel Branden [1962] (1964). Who is Ayn Rand? : an analysis of the novels of Ayn Rand. New York: Paperback Library. OCLC 2848682. 
• Branden, Barbara (1986). The Passion of Ayn Rand. Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday. ISBN 0-385-19171-5. 

• Valliant, James S. (2005). The Passion of Ayn Rand's Critics: The Case Against the Brandens. Dallas: Durban House. ISBN 1-930754-67-1. 

• Barbara Branden.com -- Barbara Branden's homepage
• 1986 audio interview of Barbara Branden, RealAudio
• Sense of Life Objectivists — SOLO includes several topical discussions of James Valliant's book: The Passion of Ayn Rand's Critics.
• Objectivist Living — an internet forum to which Barbara Branden regularly posts.