Oscar-winning actor and famed style icon Diane Keaton has died at 79 and is survived by two children.
The “Annie Hall” star adopted daughter Dexter, 29, and son Duke, 25, when she was in her 50s, and subsequently raised them as a single mother.
In a 2008 interview with Ladies’ Home Journal, Diane Keaton called motherhood “an urge I couldn’t resist,” adding, “it was more like a thought I’d been thinking for a very long time.”
“I’ve had such an unusual life. Obviously career-oriented. I was happy to be a daughter well into my 40s. That was something that meant a lot to me,” she said. “I didn’t think that I was ever going to be prepared to be a mother.”
Diane Keaton told the magazine she originally wanted to be in a “strong and substantive” relationship before having a child, explaining that “never happened for me, and that prolonged my indecisiveness.”
While Diane Keaton dated several fellow Hollywood greats, including Al Pacino, Woody Allen and Warren Beatty, she never married and, in 2021, told Interview magazine why.
Speaking about her own mother’s choice to wed, Diane Keaton said at the time, “I feel like she chose family over her dreams. And she was just the best mother, but I think that she is the reason why I didn’t get married. I didn’t want to give up my independence.”
The actor rarely brings her two children into the limelight, but they did accompany her in 2022 to a ceremony at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.
Jordan White, Dexter Keaton, Diane Keaton and Duke Keaton at the Diane Keaton Hand & Footprint Ceremony held at the TCL Chinese Theater in Hollywood, Calif., on Aug. 11, 2022.Sthanlee B. Mirador / Sipa USA via AP
Dexter Keaton White and Duke Keaton were all smiles proudly standing beside their mother as she was was honored with her own handprint and footprint in cement ceremony. The family was also joined by Jordan White, Dexter’s husband.
Dexter White
Dexter Keaton White, Diane Keaton’s first adopted child, was born Dec. 15, 1995, according to her IMDb profile.
Dexter Keaton and Diane Keaton attend The People Concern’s Celebrating Change Gala at Casa Vertigo on April 29, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. Tiffany Rose / Getty Images for The People Conc
Dexter Keaton White married now husband Jordan White in a June 2021 ceremony.
Diane Keaton, dressed in a head-to-toe white pantsuit and matching hat, was seen dancing with her daughter at her wedding, per Dexter’s August 2021 Instagram post. At the time, she was proudly promoting her mom’s new book, “Fashion First.”
Diane Keaton’s daughter has shared several snippets and flashbacks with her mom on social media, including a snowy picture from 2015 and a shot of the mother-daughter duo playing in a pool when she was a child.
Dexter Keaton White shares a 2015 picture with her mom, Diane Keaton. @mrs.whitenoize on Instagram
In January 2021, Dexter Keaton White shared a shot on Instagram seemingly from her preteen years, standing behind her brother and in front of her mom and nanny.
“I don’t have any current photos of my mom and I, so here’s a throwback with my brother and our wonderful nanny at the time Sandra!” she captioned the post. “Also, peep my mom not wearing shoes, which is not out of the ordinary for her.”
In May 2014, Dexter Keaton White shared a Mother’s Day post, sharing an image of her leaning into the actor and captioning the post, “Happy Mother’s Day to my amazing momma!”
“I’m so thankful to have been adopted by such a strong, beautiful, and talented woman. I couldn’t thank you enough for everything you’ve done for me. I love you!” she wrote.
Duke Keaton
Duke Keaton, Diane Keaton’s adopted son, was born Feb. 8, 2000. Over the years, his family has celebrated his birthday on social media.
In 2022, Diane Keaton shared a compilation of birthday photos and wrote, “HAPPY BIRTHDAY DUKE!!!” with a red heart emoji. Years earlier, Dexter Keaton White made a 2014 Instagram post for her brother, writing, “Happy birthday to the best little brother. I can’t believe you’re 13! I hope you have a great day. Even though you can be a pain I still love ya!”
Diane Keaton and her son Duke Keaton attend the “And So It Goes” premiere at Guild Hall on July 6, 2014, in East Hampton, New York.Sonia Moskowitz / Getty Images
Duke Keaton appears to be taking an artistic journey of his own, promoting his own music on social media.
In June, he shared a shot of him in the recording studio and in a separate post, wrote that he planned to release a single titled “Passenger Princess” in August.
In his Instagram bio, Duke Keaton tags record company 11:11 Music Group and includes a link to his website, where his bio describes him as “an American creative talent and public figure emerging from Hollywood legacy.”
“As the son of legendary actress Diane Keaton, he grew up surrounded by timeless artistry — but his creative instincts are distinctly his own,” the bio reads, adding that he works in music, fashion, acting and songwriting.
The bio also mentions Duke Keaton has “taken the quieter road” while growing up with a famous mother. Over the years, he’s been seen on occasion in public settings with the actor.
Diane Keaton and her son Duke attend the Los Angeles Lakers versus Denver Nuggets game at Staples Center on April 9, 2009.Noel Vasquez / Getty Images
Along with a handful of premieres and ceremonies, Duke Keaton and Diane Keaton sat courtside at a Los Angeles Lakers game in 2009. The two were photographed laughing the night away, while enjoying popcorn and avidly watching the matchup at the Staples Center.