Why Diane Keaton Chose Motherhood Later in Life

The late Diane Keaton took an untraditional route to motherhood, adopting her children in her 50s, and openly shared her motivations behind this choice.

“I never believed that I would be ready to become a mother,” Keaton — who passed away at the age of 79 on October 11 — told Ladies’ Home Journal previously. “Motherhood wasn’t an irresistible urge for me; rather, it was something I had contemplated for a long time. So I decided to go for it.”

As a single parent in her 50s, Keaton adopted daughter Dexter, now 29, and son Duke, 25. Throughout her illustrious film career, she never married, although she had relationships with several notable figures, including Woody Allen, Warren Beatty, and Al Pacino.

In 2019, the star of Something’s Gotta Give discussed her choice to stay single when she spoke with People.

“Reflecting on today, I realize I am 71, and I might be the only one from my generation — or perhaps even before — who has remained a single woman throughout my life,” she noted, adding that it probably wouldn’t have been wise for her to marry.

“I’m really grateful that I chose not to marry, and I’m sure my former partners appreciate it too,” she said, referencing her relationships in Hollywood.

In 2023, the actress once more emphasized her satisfaction with her life as a single mother.

“I don’t date,” she shared with AARP The Magazine, expressing that it was “highly unlikely” she would pursue another romantic involvement in the future. “I can’t recall the last time someone called me saying, ‘This is So-and-So, I’d like to take you out.’ That just doesn’t happen.”

The beloved actress elaborated on her long-held views regarding marriage, a perspective she formed in her teenage years.

“One day in high school, a boy approached me and said, ‘You’re going to make a wonderful wife one day,’” she recalled. “I thought, ‘No, I don’t want to be a wife.’”

Following her passing, Keaton’s family requested privacy, yet numerous friends and colleagues in Hollywood honored her memory.

“The brilliant and beautiful Diane Keaton has passed away,” shared Bette Midler, her co-star from The First Wives’ Club, via Instagram on Saturday. “She was incredibly funny, completely unique, and lacked the guile or competitiveness one might expect from a star of her caliber. What you saw was truly who she was … oh, la, la!”

The cast of Father of the Bride also expressed their condolences.

“This truly saddens me. Working alongside Diane Keaton is one of the most cherished experiences of my life,” wrote Kimberly Williams-Paisley — who notably portrayed Keaton’s daughter in the beloved films — in the comment section of People’s Instagram post announcing her passing, accompanied by a red heart emoji.

Steve Martin, who starred as Keaton’s spouse, the anxious George Banks, also shared his thoughts on her death.

“Loved her!” Martin, 80, expressed via X on Saturday, posting a black and white nostalgic photo of a youthful Keaton.