Diane Keaton’s close friend Carole Bayer Sager speaks out about the actress’ health in the weeks before her death at 79. The iconic star was known for her creativity and upbeat personality despite recent health struggles.
Diane Keaton’s close friend, Carole Bayer Sager, has spoken out about the legendary actress’s health in the weeks leading up to her death at the age of 79. Keaton, who passed away on October 11 in California, was remembered for her remarkable talent and vibrant personality. While details about her passing have not been publicly disclosed, her friend shared an emotional reflection of her final days.
In an interview with People magazine, Carole Bayer Sager, an Oscar-winning songwriter, revealed how she was shocked by Keaton’s appearance when they last saw each other just weeks before her death. “I saw her two or three weeks ago, and she was very thin,” Sager said. “She had lost so much weight.”
The Grammy-winning songwriter, who co-wrote Keaton’s only single “First Christmas” in 2024, explained that she had seen her friend less frequently after Keaton relocated to Palm Springs due to damage from California wildfires that tore through her home. “She had to go to Palm Springs because her house had been damaged inside, and they had to clean everything,” Sager explained. “She was down there for a while, and when she came back, I was kind of stunned by how much weight she’d lost.”
Despite the changes in her appearance, Sager spoke warmly of Keaton’s enduring spirit. “She was still a magic light for everyone,” Sager recalled. “I just loved her. She was so special, she just lit up a room with her energy. She was happy and upbeat and taking photographs of everything she saw. She was completely creative; she never stopped creating.”
Sager fondly remembered how Keaton maintained her unique sense of style, often dressing as if she were preparing for another film scene. “She went to the movies always dressed like she was about to shoot another scene for Annie Hall,” Sager said. “She’d wear her hats and her jackets and her baggy pants, and her belts. She was a fashion icon of her own making.”
A Life Lived on Her Own Terms
Keaton’s friends also shared that she remained true to herself until the end. Another close friend described her as “funny right up until the end,” adding that she “lived exactly how she wanted to, which was on her own terms, surrounded by the people and things she really loved.”
Health Struggles and Personal Challenges
Throughout her life, Keaton faced numerous health challenges. In a 2015 interview with the Los Angeles Times, she revealed her family’s history with cancer, particularly skin cancer, and acknowledged that she had not taken the risks seriously when she was younger. Keaton battled basal cell carcinoma and later developed squamous cell cancer, undergoing two surgeries to remove it.
Keaton was also open about her struggle with bulimia, an eating disorder that affected her for years. She shared that she would eat large quantities of food and then make herself throw it up. However, she sought professional help to overcome the condition.
Despite these struggles, Keaton’s resilience and creative energy remained a hallmark of her personality, and she continued to inspire those around her with her passion for life and art.
