Diane Keaton, who passed away at 79, lived a life of fascinating contradictions. She was a fiercely private individual who, at the same time, was a trailblazer in speaking openly about her deeply personal health struggles. Her death brings renewed attention to her courageous battles with skin cancer and bulimia, which she shared with the world in her own time and on her own terms.
Her public style was a direct reflection of her private health. The hats that became synonymous with her name were adopted for practical reasons after a skin cancer diagnosis at 21. She explained it was a “family history,” a genetic inheritance that she managed with a combination of medical treatment and personal protective measures that became iconic.
The actress’s struggle with skin cancer was a persistent part of her adult life, progressing from basal cell carcinoma to squamous cell cancer that required two surgeries. By sharing her story, including her regret over not using sunscreen in her 20s, she became an unintentional but effective advocate for dermatological health.
Keaton also broke significant ground by discussing her eating disorder with unflinching honesty. She described her bulimia as an addiction, sparked by career pressures, that led her to binge on up to 20,000 calories a day. Her confessions helped humanize a disease that is often misunderstood and hidden in shame.
Despite these immense challenges, Keaton built a rich life, finding recovery through therapy and embracing motherhood in her 50s. Her decision to write about her past was an act of empowerment, a way to connect with others and show that vulnerability is not a weakness. It is this duality—the private star and the public survivor—that defines her unique legacy.
