Diane Keaton has always marched to the beat of her own drum, especially when it comes to love and marriage. Despite romancing some of Hollywood’s most sought-after bachelors back in the 1970s, the acclaimed actress famously chose a different path. In fact, she’s often spoken openly about her lifelong decision to remain unmarried.
"I was thinking about this today," Keaton told People magazine in 2019. "I’m 73 and I think I’m the only one in my generation, and maybe even earlier generations, who has been a single woman her entire life." It’s a remarkable distinction in an industry known for its revolving door of relationships.
Early in her career, Keaton had several high-profile romances with her co-stars. She was a muse and partner to actor and director Woody Allen for several years. She also dated her The Godfather co-star, Al Pacino, and Reds co-star, Warren Beatty. Even with these dazzling relationships, marriage was never on her agenda. Later in life, in her fifties, Keaton became a mother, adopting her daughter Dexter and son Duke. Still, the urge to tie the knot never quite hit her.
So, what exactly did Diane Keaton have to say about staying single? Let’s take a look at her candid thoughts.
Knowing What’s Right
Back in a 1996 interview with ABC News, Keaton didn’t beat around the bush when asked why she never married. Her answer was as straightforward as it gets. "I think I never married because I didn’t want to get married," she stated simply. "I didn’t choose to marry, and with the people I was with, it was better that we didn’t marry. I did the right thing." It seems she had a clear sense of what would work for her, and what wouldn’t.
A Bit of a Quirky Soul
In that 2019 chat with People, Keaton joked that maybe marriage just wasn’t in the cards because she saw herself as a bit odd. "I think I’m weird," she quipped. "I don’t know anything and I haven’t learned. Getting older hasn’t made me wiser."
She went on to explain that she felt "something was missing in me." Keaton believed a husband would need someone to "nurture" him, which wasn’t her natural inclination. It wasn’t just a recent thought, either. She confessed, "I’m a weirdo. I remember one day in high school, a boy came up to me and said, ‘One day you’re going to be a good wife.’ And I thought, ‘I don’t want to be a wife. No.’"
Diane Keaton in November 2019. Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Netflix
“Seduced by Talent”
The star of First Wives Club firmly pushed back against any idea that she might feel "sad" about never getting married. She was clear that wasn’t the case. "[I’m not sad] because I think I needed a more maternal aspect," she explained to People. "I don’t think it would have been a good idea for me to marry, and I’m very glad I didn’t, and I’m sure they’re happy about it too."
She also reflected on her past dating choices. "When I was young, I was looking to be loved by these extraordinary people," she added. "I think I shouldn’t have let myself be so seduced by talent. When you both do the same job, it’s not so good. I should have simply found a good person, someone familiar." It seems her priorities shifted over time, recognizing that shared work didn’t always make for a harmonious home life.
Mixed Feelings and a Mother’s Influence
In a 2019 interview with YouTuber Kjersti Flaa, Keaton took a moment to truly ponder if she was "really being honest" when she said she never wanted to "be someone’s wife."
"I said that, and sometimes I think it’s not entirely true," she admitted. "I think, in abstract, it could have been a very good idea to get married, because I think it truly is an important and wonderful institution for people to come together, stay, and live together. However, I don’t think I had that in me."
Keaton shared that taking on "the role my mother had" as a housewife would have been "exhausting." She didn’t want that life. "I didn’t want my mother’s role," she stressed. "I saw that she had many ambitions that she couldn’t fulfill because she had four children and a husband in the ’50s." Her mother’s experience clearly shaped her own decisions.
“A Different Kind of Love”
During that same 2019 interview, Keaton emphasized that since marriage "never really happened," she simply found "a different kind of love" for the other important people in her life. "I truly love the family I have," she shared. "Those people are very, very important to me, and so are my friends." Her happiness clearly comes from these deep, meaningful connections.
An Ideal Husband?
While Keaton often offered thoughtful insights on marriage, she once humorously considered if a certain Hollywood heartthrob could change her mind. On The Ellen DeGeneres Show in 2015, she playfully asked, "Who’s going to marry me?" Then, with a twinkle in her eye, she added, "Wait, Channing Tatum?"
When host Ellen DeGeneres broke the news that Tatum was married at the time to Jenna Dewan, Keaton let out a mock complaint: "Channing Tatum is actually married to someone else… and not me?" It was a lighthearted moment that perfectly captured her enduring charm.