We previously reported that the Oscar-winning Hollywood star Diane Keaton had died on the morning of Saturday, October 11. She was 79 years-old.
Now, Keaton’s cause of death has finally been revealed. Indeed, it offers fans some heartbreaking insights about the Annie Hall star’s final days.
Keaton’s Cause Of Death
Keaton’s death certificate, which was obtained by People Magazine, has revealed that her cause of death was primary bacterial pneumonia. At the time of her passing, Keaton had reportedly been battling this condition for days.
Daily Mail reported that “primary bacterial pneumonia is a lung infection.” It is “caused by bacteria that can develop on its own or after a viral infection. Symptoms include cough, fever, chest pain, and difficulty breathing.”
This indicates that Keaton’s final days were unfortunately far from easy.
Keaton’s family has since confirmed that she died of pneumonia.
“The Keaton family are very grateful for the extraordinary messages of love and support they have received these past few days on behalf of their beloved Diane, who passed away from pneumonia on October 11,” the family’s statement read.
“She loved her animals and she was steadfast in her support of the unhoused community,” they continued. “So any donations in her memory to a local food bank or an animal shelter would be a wonderful and much appreciated tribute to her.”
Keaton’s death certificate stated that aside from pneumonia, there were no other significant contributing conditions to her passing. It also revealed that Keaton was cremated.
Keaton’s Friends Speak Out
A longtime friend of Keaton’s told TMZ on Wednesday that the former The Godfather star had been struggling with an unnamed illness before her death. This meant that her passing was “not a shock” to the friend.
Another friend of Keaton’s spoke out this week to say that the star “declined very suddenly, which was heartbreaking for everyone who loved her. It was so unexpected, especially for someone with such strength and spirit.”
“Even longtime friends weren’t fully aware of what was happening,” the insider added, going on to say that Keaton’s family “chose to keep things very private.”
The Grammy and Oscar-winning songwriter Carole Bayer Sager, a close friend of Keaton’s, had seen her just a few weeks before she died. Sager was stunned by just how thin Keaton was during their final meeting.
“I saw her two or three weeks ago, and she was very thin,” lamented Sager, 81. “She had lost so much weight.”
“[Keaton] had to go to Palm Springs because her house had been damaged inside [from the L.A. wildfires], and they had to clean everything,” she continued. “She was down there for a while, and when she came back, I was kind of stunned by how much weight she’d lost.”
Keaton Was ‘A Magic Light’
Despite her frailty at the end, Keaton was still “a magic light for everyone,” according to Sager.
“I just loved her,” the songwriter gushed. “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.”
Keaton was a true legend, and there will never be another like him. While it’s sad that she’s gone, we can all find comfort in knowing that she is no longer suffering.
Rest in peace, Diane Keaton.