Diane Keaton faced a sudden and unforeseen health issue in the final months of her life. Her health deteriorated almost suddenly and unexpectedly. "She declined very suddenly, which was heartbreaking for everyone who loved her," a friend of the Oscar-winning actress told People following Keaton's death on Saturday at age 79.
"It was so unexpected," the friend added, "especially for someone with such strength and spirit." The close friend of Keaton also said that her family chose to keep her health struggles out of the public eye. "In her final months, she was surrounded only by her closest family, who chose to keep things very private," the heartbroken friend shared.
Unexpected Death
"Even longtime friends weren't fully aware of what was happening," the friend added. Fans were also surprised when Keaton put her "dream home" in Los Angeles—a five-bedroom, seven-bathroom property—on the market for $29 million in March, especially since she had reportedly said she planned to live there for good.
Additionally, a source told the outlet that Keaton hadn't been seen leaving her home in the past several months.
"She lived in Brentwood for many years. She loved her neighborhood," the source said. "Up until just a few months ago, she'd walk her dog every day. She was usually dressed the same, with a hat and her signature sunglasses regardless of the weather."
"She was always very nice, funny and chatty," the insider continued. "She'd talk to her dog like he was a person. She was eccentric and had this old-school Hollywood aura. She was very, very special.
Died Almost Alone
Keaton died on Saturday in California, her family confirmed, though the cause of death has not been revealed. The acclaimed actress rose to stardom in the 1970s, earning fame for her roles in iconic films such as "The Godfather", "Annie Hall", "Baby Boom", "First Wives Club", and "Something's Gotta Give".
She won the Academy Award for Best Actress in 1977 for her unforgettable performance in "Annie Hall."
Keaton's last Instagram post, shared in April, showed her looking cheerful and healthy alongside her dog, Reggie.
E! News reported that she was last spotted in public in late 2024 while out holiday shopping, with earlier photos capturing her running errands in August of the same year.
Keaton leaves behind her two adopted children: daughter Dexter, 29, and son Duke, 25.
