For over half a century, Diane Keaton charmed Hollywood with her wit, grace, and instantly recognizable sense of style. But behind her famous wardrobe — the timeless turtlenecks, wide-brimmed hats, and precisely tailored outfits — was a deeply personal and tragic story few ever knew.
On October 11, the beloved actress passed away at the age of 79, leaving fans and colleagues heartbroken. Her family has not disclosed the cause of death, but the loss has reverberated throughout the entertainment world. Director Woody Allen, her longtime friend and collaborator, described her in The Free Press as “charming, beautiful, and so magical that I questioned my sanity.” Friends close to her said she had been in declining health during her final weeks but kept her condition private.
A Style That Defined Her
Keaton’s fashion choices were as iconic as her performances in Annie Hall, The Godfather, and The First Wives Club. Her love for classic suits, hats, and turtlenecks made her a true style icon — a symbol of independence in an industry that often rewards conformity.
“I’ve always admired that look — women in pants and ties — from 1970s New York,” she told the Houston Chronicle in 2015. “Ralph Lauren was among the first to give women suits and ties. Katharine Hepburn and Marlene Dietrich did it long before me.”
She once joked about her signature covered-up look: “It just looks better to hide everything. Trust me, you don’t want arms flailing around after a certain age.”
Her “Hat Obsession”
In a 2023 interview with People, Keaton said her fashion formula was simple: “A turtleneck, suit, big belt, and of course a hat and glasses.” The look became her trademark — elegant, confident, and unmistakably her own.
“How did I become someone who fell in love with hats and big shoes? What am I really covering up?” she reflected in Flare, suggesting there was deeper meaning behind her choices.
Her love for hats was legendary. In a playful 2020 Instagram video, she modeled a variety of them for her 2.6 million followers, declaring, “Hats are worth it — they don’t get enough attention!” The clip, captioned “CARY GRANT IN A TOP HAT IS THE REASON WHY I’M ADDICTED TO HATS,” showed her lighthearted humor. “A frilly hat and frilly face makes the day,” she quipped.
The Hidden Battle Beneath the Style
Keaton’s signature look wasn’t just a fashion statement — it was a shield. For most of her life, she battled recurring skin cancer, a struggle that quietly shaped her wardrobe.
“It hides a multitude of sins — flaws, anxiety, things like that,” she told InStyle. “And hats protect you from the sun. I’ve had so many skin cancers.”
Her battle began early. At just 21, Keaton was diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma, the first of many skin cancer diagnoses she would face throughout her life. “In my twenties, I didn’t care or research,” she admitted to the Los Angeles Times. “That was stupid, because it’s haunted me my entire adult life. I didn’t start sun protection until my forties.”
Years later, she was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma, a more aggressive form of the disease that required multiple surgeries. “You can die from it if it spreads,” she told Total Beauty. “If you’re going to care about beauty, you need to care about your life first.”
Skin cancer ran in her family. “My father, brother, and Aunt Martha all had it,” she told the Times in 2015. “It’s a tricky disease — you have to wear sunscreen, always.”
More Than an Icon
Beyond her fame, Diane Keaton was a devoted mother, artist, and a woman who lived life fearlessly. In her 50s, she adopted her two children, Dexter and Duke, and raised them as a single parent with remarkable strength and independence.
Diane Keaton was never defined by her illness — she defined herself through courage, creativity, and authenticity. Every hat she wore and every turtleneck she buttoned told part of her story: one of resilience, self-expression, and grace.
Her legacy endures — not only in film history, but in the quiet message she left behind: that true beauty is not about showing everything, but about living with confidence, humor, and heart — one brave layer at a time.