Diane Keaton frequently talked about her choice to remain unmarried, despite having relationships with some of Hollywood’s most sought-after men in the 1970s.
“I was reflecting on this today. At 73, it seems I’m one of the few in my generation, possibly going back even further, who has lived as a single woman all my life,” she shared with People in 2019.
The acclaimed actress, who passed away at the age of 79 on October 11, was known for her celebrated romances with fellow actors. Keaton served as a inspiration for director Woody Allen during their time together and also had notable relationships with Al Pacino and Warren Beatty, her co-stars from The Godfather and Reds, respectively.
<pLater in life, Keaton embraced motherhood, adopting two children, Dexter and Duke, when she was in her 50s, yet she never felt compelled to marry.
Continue reading for insights into Keaton’s thoughts on her decision not to marry.
The Right Choice
When asked in a 1996 ABC News interview about her choice to remain unmarried, Keaton responded candidly.
“The reason I never married is simple—I didn’t want to,” she asserted. “I never chose that path, and for the people in my life, it was probably best that we never made that commitment. I made the right decision.”
An Outsider’s Perspective
In a 2019 discussion with People, Keaton speculated that perhaps marriage wasn’t meant for her as she viewed herself as an outsider.
“I’ve always felt a bit strange,” she remarked. “I don’t possess much knowledge, and age hasn’t necessarily imparted any wisdom on me.”
She elaborated that there was “something lacking within me,” suggesting a partner might require someone with nurturing qualities, which she felt she lacked.
Diane Keaton in November 2019. Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Netflix
“I’ve always felt like an oddball,” she reflected. “I remember a guy telling me in high school that I’d be a good wife someday, and I thought to myself, ‘Actually, I don’t want to be a wife. No thanks.’”
‘Captivated by Talent’
Despite speculation that she might regret her decision not to marry, the First Wives Club star emphasized her contentment.
“I’m not sad at all because I believe I required more of a nurturing instinct,” she expressed to People. “Marriage would likely not have suited me, and I couldn’t be happier about my choices. I’m sure others are relieved as well.”
She further elaborated, “When I was younger, my desire for love often led me to extraordinary individuals. I now realize I should have aimed for a nice, kind person—perhaps someone who isn’t in the same industry.”
Mixed Emotions
In a 2019 interview with YouTuber Kjersti Flaa, Keaton reconsidered whether her stance on marriage had been entirely candid.
“I did make that claim, but at times I ponder if that’s really true,” she acknowledged. “In a theoretical sense, being married could have been a rewarding journey. It’s a beautiful institution for people, but I don’t think I possessed what it takes to make it work.”
Keaton remarked that fulfilling the role of her mother, a housewife, would have been “demanding.”
“I never desired that life. I didn’t want to mirror my mother’s experience of unfulfilled ambition due to being tied down with a family in the ‘50s,” she asserted.
‘A Unique Kind of Love’
Keaton emphasized that since marriage wasn’t part of her life, she fostered “a unique kind of love” for those around her.
“I truly cherish my family and friends; they hold a significant place in my life,” she added.
Fantasy Husband
While Keaton often shared profound views on marriage, she once humorously mused about a potential suitor.
“Who would marry me?” she joked on The Ellen Degeneres Show in 2015, adding, “Oh, wait—Channing Tatum?”
When Ellen Degeneres pointed out that Tatum was already married to Jenna Dewan, Keaton quipped in mock disappointment, “Channing Tatum, married to someone else… not me?”
