logo
Getty Images
Getty Images

Neil Diamond Fell 'Completely' in Love at 71 with 29-Years-Younger Wife & Muse Katie McNeil

Stephen Thompson
Dec 10, 2021
09:30 A.M.

After two failed marriages and a long time being single, Neil Diamond found love again at 71. The movie icon fell heads over heels for his manager Katie McNeil who is 29 years his junior, and he is "completely" in love.

Advertisement

As a pop music performer, American singer-songwriter Neil Leslie Diamond is one artist who has made singing and performing look effortless with his flawless mastery on stage. Diamond is also an occasional actor, amongst other things.

Over the years, the now 80-year-old music icon blessed fans globally with various mind-blowing pieces. Since rising to fame, Diamond has sold over 100 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling musicians of all time.

Singer Neil Diamond performs onstage in circa 1977 in Los Angeles. [Left] | Singer Neil Diamond and wife Katie McNeil attend a ceremony honoring Neil Diamond with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on August 10, 2012  [Right] | Photo: Getty Images

Singer Neil Diamond performs onstage in circa 1977 in Los Angeles. [Left] | Singer Neil Diamond and wife Katie McNeil attend a ceremony honoring Neil Diamond with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on August 10, 2012 [Right] | Photo: Getty Images

Although he smoothly created an unmatched legacy with his hard work and consistency, forming a perfect home wasn't that easy. And, away from the screen, the artist couldn't maintain an ideal nuptial as his two marriages went down the drain.

Advertisement

DIAMOND AWAY FROM BROKEN MARRIAGES

Diamond, 80, is most famous for hit singles like "Sweet Caroline," "America," and "Heartlight." Born January 24, 1941, the pop star grew up in Brooklyn, New York, and started writing songs while studying at New York University.

Diamond is the brain behind 1966 hit songs, including "I'm A Believer" and "A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You," performed by The Monkees. His hit singles came during the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, and the good music continued for years.

Neil Diamond at the Billboard Music Awards on May 22, 2011, in Las Vegas, Nevada. | Photo: Getty Images

Neil Diamond at the Billboard Music Awards on May 22, 2011, in Las Vegas, Nevada. | Photo: Getty Images

But before landing his hit single, the artist spent a while working as a songwriter for different companies. It happened after Diamond dropped out of New York University, where he was supposed to be a pre-med student.

Advertisement

Eventually uniting with Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich, two talented songwriters and producers, who helped promote him as a singer and songwriter, Diamond soon had his first taste of pop success with the 1966 single "Solitary Man."

For the next few years, the artist continued to make music on his own, including "Cherry, Cherry." In 1970, Diamond had his first solo hit pop single with "Cracklin' Rosie."

Neil Diamond and wife Marcia Murphey circa 1977 in New York City. | Photo: Getty Images

Neil Diamond and wife Marcia Murphey circa 1977 in New York City. | Photo: Getty Images

He made it to the top of the charts again with "Song Sung Blue" two years later. By 2008 the 80-year-old icon reached the top of the album charts with "Home Before Dark."

However, while Diamond kept winning the hearts of fans with several excellent tracks, his own heart got stolen by his high school sweetheart Jayne Posner, who he eventually married.

Advertisement

Unfortunately, the marriage only lasted for a while, and after they divorced, the superstar moved on with Marcia Murphey.

Singer Neil Diamond and wife Katie McNeil attend the Clive Davis annual Pre-Grammy Gala at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on February 11, 2017. | Photo: Getty Images

Singer Neil Diamond and wife Katie McNeil attend the Clive Davis annual Pre-Grammy Gala at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on February 11, 2017. | Photo: Getty Images

DIAMOND'S EXUBERANT SECOND DIVORCE

Diamond and Murphey were married for 25 years, but his second marriage also went down the drain despite several years. The couple's marriage ended in one of the most expensive divorces in history.

The iconic pop star gave up $150 million — half of his estate — to ex-wife Murphey in a divorce settlement, and she was "worth every penny," according to a statement once made by Diamond.

Advertisement

It also turned out the "Sweet Caroline" singer continued carrying the guilt of his second failed marriage for a few years. He later expressed his feelings in a song, and once during an interview, the pop star revealed that he felt pretty bad at the time of their divorce.

While Diamond wasn't happy after his second failed marriage, he moved on a year later with Australian production assistant Rae Farley. He and Farley had a long-term relationship, but things fell apart, and Diamond was left single for a very long time.

He remained single until Katie finally walked into his life. Although he wasn't exactly searching for a relationship when he met music manager Katie McNeil, Diamond admitted in an interview that he was lonely at the time.

Advertisement

DIAMOND AND MCNEIL

McNeil is Diamond's manager and the producer of his 2009 documentary. The two met in 2007 when the pop star signed to the company where she worked.

Shortly after the two started dating, Diamond was ready to make her his bride. Mindy Weiss designed their romantic wedding at the Beverly Hills Hotel.

Diamond couldn't contain his joy following their wedding, and he shared his love with fans and loved ones on social media. Once speaking in an interview, Diamond, who was 71 at the time of his third marriage, gushed:

Advertisement

"The wedding was incredible. I've never seen anything like it."

After saying "I do," the newlywed took to Twitter a note that revealed that he and the music manager were husband and wife. He described their wedding as something "magical" as he wished all eyes could have seen the beautiful ceremony.

Diamond and his bride have proven their love to the public with different updates. On McNeil's Twitter bio, she described herself as a music manager, amateur wildlife photographer, and a rockstar's wife.

Advertisement

WEDDING BELLS

The music legend and McNeil got married in a gathering filled with friends and loved ones. News that Diamond proposed to his manager came out when the pop star made a public announcement on social media.

He posted a photo of her taken in London and wrote that he was "lovestruck. Their marriage is McNeil's first, and she was 42 when they tied the knot.

Advertisement

For the ceremony held in Los Angeles, McNeil looked spectacular in a Monique Lhuillier dress. Diamond's granddaughters served as flower girls, and his son Micah was the best man.

In a statement, the happy husband revealed that it felt nice to know that a 71-year-old can still fall in love "so completely." More interestingly, Diamond talked about how he is happy he finally found someone who's up to the task of being his wife.

Advertisement

During an interview, he first reflected on his past marriages calling his ex-wives spectacular women before moving on to say:

"I felt if I couldn't make something wonderful and lifelong happen with them, then maybe I wasn't capable of it. But I'm throwing myself back in because I like being married..."

As the two love birds continue to enjoy their lives as a married couple, Diamond launched his 2021 tour in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He also took to Los Angeles with some performances.

Advertisement

Once speaking about the new project in an interview, the 80-year-old music star made it known that the happiness his new bride brought him inspired his work on "Melody Road." For Diamond, there is no better motivation for work than being in love.

He revealed that love was one thing he dreamt of as a creative person. He was also able to start the project, write it, and complete the album due to his love.

Advertisement
info
Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories!
By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy
Advertisement
Related posts

Usher Will Not Be Paid for His Super Bowl Performance — Why Users Agree with This

February 13, 2024

Usher Will Not Be Paid for His Super Bowl Performance – What Happened

February 12, 2024

Frank Sinatra & His Daughter Didn't Talk for a Year – She Revealed His Last Apology before Death

December 21, 2023

Jon Bon Jovi Has Remained in Love with His Wife for 4 Decades – How Does She Look Now?

February 01, 2024

Jon Bon Jovi Has Remained in Love with His Wife for 4 Decades – How Does She Look Now?

January 30, 2024

Vince Neil's 4 Wives: More about Beth Lynn, Sharise Ruddel, Heidi Mark & Lia Gerardini

November 14, 2023

Barbara Campbell Was Sam Cooke’s Wife Who Remarried Just Months after His Death

December 25, 2023

Cher’s Child Went through Transition & Found Happiness as a Married Man – Inside His New Life

January 24, 2024

This Cop Met His Superstar Wife Just 3 Days before Fathering His Love Child

February 14, 2024

Vince Neil’s Girlfriend Rain Hannah Is a YouTuber and Fitness Enthusiast

December 14, 2023

Brenda Lee Tops Billboard Hot 100 at 79 Yet Leads a Regular Chore-Filled Life

December 12, 2023

Why Aretha Franklin's Son with Special Needs Might Get Nothing from Her Will – Explanations

January 12, 2024

This GIrl Left Her Family at 14 to Pursue Music in Another Country — Now She’s World-Famous with Guinness Records

December 01, 2023

Paul McCartney Found Love with Woman Called 'Not Good for Him' – One Evening Made Him Fall For Her

February 15, 2024