Diane Keaton Took an Unexpected Step Months Before Her Sudden Health Decline and Death at 79

The Hollywood icon, who dazzled on screens for decades and was known for her quirky charm and unshakable poise, was quietly slipping away.

In the months leading up to her unexpected passing, Diane Keaton made a decision that left many close to her puzzled. It was a quiet yet telling move that, in hindsight, seemed to mark the beginning of a profound change in the beloved star's life.

A Heartbreaking Farewell to Her 'Dream Home'

Keaton, who died at age 79 on October 11 in California, had been facing a noticeable decline in her health, according to a source close to her. The news deeply saddened those who knew her, as she had always been seen as a woman of remarkable vitality and determination.

The source shared, "In her final months, she was surrounded only by her closest family, who chose to keep things very private. Even longtime friends weren't fully aware of what was happening."

Amid these private struggles, Keaton made a major life decision that caught many by surprise. In March, she put up for sale a property she had long described as her "dream home," despite previously saying she intended to stay there permanently.

After purchasing the residence in 2017, she spent eight years transforming it through meticulous renovations. Yet in March, she listed the five-bedroom, seven-bathroom home for $29 million — a move that now carries deeper meaning for those who knew her best.

The Little Girl Who Dreamed of Brick Walls

Known for her love of architecture and design, Keaton had gained admiration beyond Hollywood for her refined sense of style. She even authored "The House That Pinterest Built," a book inspired by her passion for her home's design.

In her book, Keaton revealed that her fascination with her home was rooted in a childhood story — "The Three Little Pigs." She wrote that when her mother read her the tale, she became captivated by the third pig's brick house and took its message to heart. From that moment, she knew she wanted to live in a sturdy brick home of her own one day.

Years later, that childhood vision became reality. In a 2017 interview with "Wine Spectator," Keaton explained that she had always been drawn to houses. However, she rarely felt fully settled in one place, as she would eventually find flaws that kept her from staying put.

Her final Los Angeles residence, however, felt different. She described it as her ideal home, one that finally matched her long-held dream and sense of belonging.

A Fortress of Beauty Built for the Ones She Loved

At 71, Keaton finally moved into the home. After years of design and construction, she settled into her custom-built home in Los Angeles's Sullivan Canyon, where she lived with her daughter, Dexter, her son, Duke, and their golden retriever, Emma.

The expansive residence spans over 9,200 square feet on a 0.65-acre lot, complete with several fireplaces, high ceilings, an outdoor pool, and a separate guesthouse.

The property's listing emphasized the extraordinary effort that went into every stage of its creation. It describes it as a secluded, gated estate that captures both grandeur and artistry.

The listing also highlighted the home's intricate design details and use of reclaimed materials. Keaton blended traditional craftsmanship with modern elegance, a perfect reflection of her meticulous taste and creative spirit.

The listing adds, "The estate's rich textures, thoughtful design elements, and bespoke accents make it not just a residence but a work of art - an extraordinary sanctuary where home meets artistry in perfect harmony."

Then Came the Vanishing

The home sale wasn't the only significant shift in Keaton's life during that period. Known for her strong sense of routine, she had long been a familiar presence in her Brentwood neighborhood. The actress was often spotted strolling with her dog each day.

Neighbors grew accustomed to her distinctive style — always wearing a hat and her trademark sunglasses, no matter the weather. However, those daily walks came to an abrupt end just months before her passing.

According to a source, Diane Keaton had spent many happy years in Brentwood and deeply cherished the community, making her sudden absence all the more noticeable to those who saw her regularly.

The source noted, "She was always very nice, funny, and chatty. She'd talk to her dog like he was a person. She was eccentric and had this old-school Hollywood aura. She was very, very special."

With Keaton gone, grief is rippling through every corner of Hollywood. From Oscar-winning legends to TV darlings and pop royalty, the tributes are pouring in across the globe — because no one was ready to say goodbye to the actress.

'Sleep Well, Diane': A Heartbreaking Farewell from Friends and Fans

Keaton's death on Saturday morning came suddenly and without warning, leaving the industry reeling. Tributes from her devastated co-stars, lifelong admirers, and heartbroken fans are flooding social media, each more emotional than the last.

Donna Mills, best known for 'Knots Landing,' posted a touching photo of Keaton smiling at a newborn.

"The incredible Diane Keaton. This photo is from my daughter, Chloe's baby shower," she wrote. "She was such a major talent and a wonderful Mother as well. Sleep well, Diane. You will be so missed by all 🤍."

'A Heartbreaking Loss': Michael Douglas, Jane Fonda, and Others Remember the Legend

Michael Douglas, who starred with Keaton in "And So It Goes" in 2014, honored her memory with a still from the film.

"RIP to my friend Diane Keaton. A heartbreaking loss of one of the greatest icons in our industry," he shared. "I have so many fond memories of working with Diane on our film And So It Goes nearly twelve years ago. Sending my deepest condolences to the Keaton family during this difficult time."

Jane Fonda, who formed a fierce on-screen bond with Keaton in the "Book Club" films, wrote with raw disbelief. "It's hard to believe… or accept… that Diane has passed," she began. "She was always a spark of life and light, constantly giggling at her own foibles, being limitlessly creative."

"Unique is what she was," Fonda said. "And though she didn't know it or wouldn't admit it, man she was a fine actress!"

'My Idol': Cynthia Nixon's Childhood Love for Keaton

Cynthia Nixon, of "Sex and the City" fame, recalled idolizing Keaton from the age of 12. "I tried to dress like her. I wore my hair long. I sported men's hats and vests… I wore bookish glasses because I thought they made me look more like her," she confessed.

Getting to work alongside Keaton in "5 Flights Up" was the kind of dream that only comes true once. "I was very shy around her, but I think she liked me and that meant everything to me," Nixon said, going on to add, "She was one of a kind. I'm so sad she is gone. 💔"

'She Could Do It All': Rita Wilson, Melissa Gilbert, and Hollywood's Sisterhood In Grief

Rita Wilson couldn't hold back her admiration for Keaton's endless artistic spirit "Every time I met Diane she was laughing, smiling, creating, observing, reflecting. Her work as an artist is simply outstanding. She could do it all," she wrote.

"It's so hard to lose someone who inspired us, for many reasons, and yet, so grateful her beauty and artistry will live on. We will miss you Diane," Wilson added. "May her memory be eternal."

Melissa Gilbert, of "Little House on the Prairie," shared a bittersweet regret — she idolized Keaton so much, she hid it from her. "I didn't want her to know that she was my idol ..so much so..that I knew I'd gush and say something embarrassing," Gilbert admitted.

"I have so many questions for her…that I guess won't be answered this lifetime," she went on to add. "So I will simply say 'good night sweet woman. May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.'"

She Changed Cinema — And How Women Saw Themselves

With her floppy hats, boyish charm, and that quirky, unforgettable voice, Keaton burst into Hollywood in the 1970s and never looked back.

She captured hearts as Kay Adams in "The Godfather," then rewrote the rules with her Oscar-winning turn in "Annie Hall." She wasn't just acting — she was shaping culture, one tailored vest and oversized tie at a time.

Her legacy lived on in "The First Wives Club," "Something's Gotta Give," and "Book Club" — where she celebrated aging unapologetically, with elegance and a wink.

A True Original, Right Until The End

Born Diane Hall in Los Angeles in 1946, she was the eldest of four. Her mother's maiden name — Keaton — would one day appear in lights. She was a fashion rebel, a rom-com queen, and a woman who gave the world permission to be awkward, brilliant, and entirely themselves.

Her family has not yet released details about her cause of death, and they've asked for privacy as they mourn one of the most distinctive voices cinema has ever known.

She made us laugh. She made us cry. She made us feel. Farewell, Keaton — the world already misses your magic.