Diane Keaton Would Have Turned 80: Her Best Fashion Moments Through the Years

For decades, she captivated audiences with her screen presence and offbeat style. As the world reflects on her lasting impact, one thing is clear: she never followed the script.

It's been nearly three months since Diane Keaton — the singular, scene-stealing star of "Annie Hall," "The Godfather," and so many more — died at 79, but the shock still lingers.

The beloved actress passed away in California on Saturday, October 11, 2025, following a mysterious early-morning emergency that prompted paramedics to rush to her home just after 8:08 a.m.

She was transported to a nearby hospital, where she was later pronounced dead. "There are no further details available at this time, and her family has asked for privacy in this moment of great sadness," a spokesperson said at the time.

From California Suburbs to Cinematic Glory

Born Diane Hall in Los Angeles in 1946, Keaton was the eldest of four children. Her father was a civil engineer, her mother a homemaker — but Keaton was never meant for quiet domesticity.

Her passion for performing emerged early. After high school, she studied drama, but soon abandoned college to chase the footlights in New York. To avoid a naming conflict with another actress, she adopted her mother's maiden name, and Diane Keaton was born.

She landed an understudy role in "Hair" in 1968, just as she was privately battling bulimia. She would later reveal the harrowing nature of her illness, calling it a mental health challenge rooted in deeper emotional needs. It was therapy, she said, that finally helped her heal.

A Career Launched by a Role She Didn't Even Prepare For

Keaton's screen debut in "Lovers and Other Strangers" (1970) barely hinted at what was to come. Her breakthrough arrived in 1972, when she was cast as Kay Adams in "The Godfather" — a role she nearly stumbled into. "I didn't know a single thing," she confessed in a 2022 interview. "I just was going around auditioning."

Yet that offhand audition led to a defining moment in cinematic history. "The Godfather" won Best Picture and became a cultural landmark. Keaton returned for both sequels, cementing her place in film legend.

But it was 1977's "Annie Hall" that sealed her legacy. As the quirky, unforgettable title character, she won the Oscar for Best Actress, and a generation of women copied her style — and envied her ease.

Decades of Fearless Roles and Unapologetic Choices

For over four decades, Keaton lit up screens large and small. From "The First Wives Club" to "Something's Gotta Give," from Nancy Meyers' rom-coms to the "Book Club" franchise, she proved again and again that women over 40 — and 60 — and 70 — still mattered.

Off-screen, she adopted two children — Dexter in 1996, and Duke in 2001 — choosing motherhood on her own terms. "Getting older hasn't made me wiser," she once mused. "I don't know anything, and I haven't learned." But that didn't mean she lacked clarity. "Being a person who always knew simplifies things," she said.

Even in her final months, Keaton remained active in film and public life, a beacon of artistic bravery, personal reinvention, and unfaltering individuality.

The Star Who Never Said 'I Do' — And Never Looked Back

She never married — and was proud of it. "I'm the only one in my generation, and maybe before, who has been a single woman all her life," she said. "I'm really glad I didn't get married."

She remembered the moment she realized traditional roles weren't for her. "In high school, this guy came up to me and said, 'One day you're going to make a good wife.' And I thought, 'I don't want to be a wife. No.'"

Keaton was often pursued — and sometimes smitten — by larger-than-life men, including Woody Allen, Warren Beatty, and Al Pacino. But time gave her clarity. Diane Keaton admitted that, in her youth, she had sought the love of extraordinary individuals and later reflected that she probably shouldn't have been so easily captivated by talent.

Despite this self-awareness, she retained a playful spirit throughout her career. She once shared that she thoroughly enjoyed kissing Andy Garcia during the filming of "Book Club," joking that if there were a sequel, Garcia might request to kiss one of the other women instead.

Late Motherhood, Lasting Love

Keaton never hid the fact that adopting at 50 came with challenges. She once reflected that it wasn’t easy for a woman her age to adopt, acknowledging that she had a lot to learn — something she believed was ultimately beneficial for both herself and her children.

She also recognized the weight of her celebrity, noting that it must have been difficult for her children to grow up with an older mother in the public eye. According to her, the attention was often focused on her rather than on them, which she admitted couldn't have been easy. Still, she emphasized that she loved them deeply and considered them the center of her life.

Keaton famously resisted the pressure of Hollywood’s beauty standards, openly sharing that she never underwent plastic surgery and never felt compelled to do so. However, she did reveal that she had her teeth capped, explaining they had been damaged due to bulimia in her 20s and admitted that her teeth had become the best part of her face as a result.

As she got older, she increasingly leaned on her female friendships, cherishing their humor and nurturing presence. She said she missed her mother and found that her close friends offered a similar kind of emotional support.

She specifically mentioned Candice Bergen and Mary Steenburgen, her "Poms" and "Book Club" co-stars, as essential companions during that time in her life. Keaton also found solace in therapy, appreciating the safe space to speak freely without judgment.

Fashion That Sparked a Movement

Late in life, Keaton became something unexpected: an Instagram darling. "I love Instagram!" she exclaimed. "But how many days can I post pictures of my outfit?"

Still, she was hooked. "You keep checking on how many followers you have. I say, 'Don't do it, Diane! One hundred more followers, are you really going to check it?' Yeah, I am.'" And yes — the outfits mattered. Her style was never trendy, always iconic.

It all began with "Annie Hall" — the film, and the fashion revolution. The look? Oversized jackets, wide-legged trousers, men's ties, slouchy hats — all from Keaton's real-life closet. It wasn't just style. It was a statement.

The costume designer reportedly balked. But director Woody Allen supported her. The result was a cultural shift. Nearly 50 years later, she was still rocking bowler hats, layered blazers, gloves, and signature belts. She didn't follow trends — she invented them.

Designer Ralph Lauren was a frequent collaborator, crafting looks for red carpets and awards shows. From the Chaplin-inspired suit at the 2004 Oscars to a velvet tuxedo at the 2014 Golden Globes, Keaton wore every piece with confidence and flair.

That night in 2014, she accepted the Cecil B. DeMille Award on Allen's behalf — dressed not for Hollywood, but for herself. Keaton didn't just act in films — she changed the way women talk, dress, age, mother, and exist in the public eye.

And though she's gone, her voice — wry, warm, and wildly original — still echoes. So do the roles, the outfits, the offbeat wisdom.

She was, and always will be, one of a kind.

Fans Mourn the Loss of a Hollywood Original

In the months since Diane Keaton's passing, tributes have poured in from around the world — not just from colleagues and critics, but from the everyday admirers who saw themselves in her wit, her warmth, her fearlessness, and her unforgettable fashion.

One heartbroken fan summed it up simply, "She was amazing!!!" Another echoed the sentiment with tender nostalgia, "Always the greatest smile, loved her in all her movies." Others celebrated her iconic sense of style just as much as her performances. "RIP beautiful lady! Always a sharp dresser! Beautiful lady."

Their voices join in chorus — a fitting farewell to a woman who meant so much to so many, and whose legacy will never fade.