Legendary actress Diane Keaton has died at the age of 79 in California, her family announced. While she maintained her privacy in her final months, Keaton had a long and well-documented history of significant health struggles, including a decades-long fight against both skin cancer and the eating disorder bulimia.
Keaton’s public persona was intrinsically linked to her health, most notably through her trademark hats. This iconic accessory was adopted after she was first diagnosed with skin cancer at the young age of 21. She later revealed the disease was prevalent in her family, affecting multiple relatives, which underscored the seriousness of her condition and her commitment to sun protection in her later years.
Her battle with skin cancer was a recurring theme in her life. What began as basal cell carcinoma in her 20s later evolved into squamous cell cancer, which required two surgeries to treat. Keaton often expressed her regret for not taking skincare seriously when she was younger, a mistake she said “dogged” her throughout her adult life and prompted her to become a vocal proponent of using sunblock.
In a separate, deeply personal battle, Keaton struggled for years with bulimia. The disorder was triggered early in her career when she was advised to lose weight for a role. This led to a dangerous cycle of binging and purging, with the actress admitting to consuming as many as 20,000 calories in a day. She referred to herself as an “addict in recovery,” speaking openly about the compulsive nature of her illness.
Keaton eventually sought help through intensive therapy and found a path to recovery. This personal transformation preceded her decision to adopt two children in her 50s, a chapter of her life she cherished. She chose to share her experiences in her memoir, not for attention, but to build a sense of community with others facing similar challenges, leaving behind a powerful legacy of vulnerability and strength.