Diane Keaton, the beloved actress known for her unique charm and fierce independence, has died at 79 after a period of private health decline. Her passing marks the quiet end to a life that was, at times, punctuated by very loud and courageous conversations about her personal health, including her fights with skin cancer and bulimia.
Long before it was common for celebrities to do so, Keaton spoke candidly about the challenges that shaped her. Her signature hats, for instance, were not just a fashion statement. She began wearing them as a necessity after a skin cancer diagnosis at age 21, a condition she noted was prevalent in her family, affecting her father, brother, and aunt.
This was a recurring battle, not a singular event. After an initial diagnosis of basal cell carcinoma, she later faced squamous cell cancer, which required two surgeries. Keaton often used her platform to stress the importance of sun protection, framing her own youthful neglect of sunblock as a cautionary tale for younger generations.
Keaton was also remarkably forthright about her years-long struggle with bulimia. She identified the trigger as a directive to lose weight for a role, which spiraled into an addiction she fought for years. Her graphic description of consuming 20,000 calories a day provided a stark, unforgettable picture of the severity of her eating disorder.
Through therapy, she found a path to recovery and later found joy in motherhood, adopting two children. In her memoir, she embraced her past struggles, writing that she had “nothing to hide.” This willingness to be vulnerable and to speak out on difficult subjects remains a cornerstone of her powerful and enduring legacy.
7