Everything to know as Diane Keaton dies - from her children to why she never married

Hollywood icon Diane Keaton has died at the age of 79, a family spokesperson has announced. The Oscar-winning actress, famed for her role in The Godfather films, passed away in California, and her family has requested privacy.

Despite never marrying, Keaton was the mother of two adopted children, Dexter, 29, and Duke, 25, and was happy living a single life. During her esteemed career, which began on stage in the 1960s, the actress won a BAFTA, two Golden Globe Awards, and received two Emmy nominations. She is best-known for playing Kay Adams, the girlfriend of Al Pacino's Michael Corleone, in The Godfather, released in 1972. Keaton revealed in 2017 that she struggled with bulimia during her early career after a director told her she needed to lose weight.

Diane Keaton never married as she desired independence. The actress believed that marriage would require too much compromise, so she stayed single to focus on her own development.

As well as her acting career, Keaton prioritised other interests such as photography and architecture. However, she did adopt two children in her 50s, a move which reportedly "fulfilled" her.

Keaton, who throughout her life was linked to many famous men, did not regret staying single. She was content with having her children and close friends as her main source of companionship.

Keaton leaves behind her daughter Dexter, 29, and son Duke, 25. She adopted the pair when she was in her 50s and raised them alone.

As reported by People, she said in 2008: "I didn't think that I was ever going to be prepared to be a mother." She added: "Motherhood was not an urge I couldn't resist, it was more like a thought I'd been thinking for a very long time. So I plunged in."

Keaton adopted Dexter in 1996 and the pair had a very close relationship. Dexter would often post pictures of them together on social media, writing in a Mother's Day tribute in 2014: "I'm so thankful to have been adopted by such a strong, beautiful, and talented woman."

Meanwhile, Duke was adopted by Keaton in 2001. The 25-year-old has stayed out of the public eye but has got a known love for photography.

Keaton told Life Magazine in 2005: "The shocking thing is that I worry differently now. Before kids, if I worried, it was only about myself, but that's all you do is worry as a parent.

"It's rule number one in parenting: secretly worry without letting the kids know you're worried."

Keaton always covered her neck and arms due to her history of skin cancer. As well as a family history of the cancer, she was diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma at age 21.

Her iconic style preference also made her feel more comfortable as it drew attention to other aspects of her look. Keaton's strategy to remain protected against the sun also involved wearing hats and gloves.

She told InStyle in 2019: "Yes, it's very protective. It hides a multitude of sins. Flaws, anxiety-things like that. I would not feel comfortable in a short skirt or something cut off with my arms hanging out there.

"And I've always liked hats. They just frame a head. But, of course, nobody really thinks they're as great as I do. And, you know, hats also protect you from the sun-I've had so many skin cancers."

Diane was not related to Michael Keaton. Her birth name was Diane Hall which she changed to her mother's maiden name as a Diane Hall was already in the Actors Guild.

Michael also changed his birth name from Michael Douglas for similar reasons. He eventually opted for Keaton.

In an interview with the BBC, Keaton revealed that her favourite role was in the 2003 comedy Something's Gotta Give. She described it as the "best of all possible worlds".

Keaton said: "It's the best of all possible worlds for me. Not only do I get to kiss Keanu Reeves and have a big romance with him, but I also get to have the same experience with Jack! He's the original bad boy so that's about as exciting as it gets."

She plays the role of a professional who falls in love with a man despite being the complete opposite. The film received positive reviews from critics, with Keaton's role landing her with nominations for the Academy Award for Best Actress, the Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Actress and the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role.