One of the most sought after actresses in the ’70s and ’80s, Diane Keaton became romantically entangled with a slew of Hollywood heartthrobs.

But there was one reason she ultimately chose her ‘independence’ over marriage and never settled down. 

The legendary actress, who passed away at the age of 79 last Saturday, had well-publicized relationships with iconic figures like Al Pacino, Warren Beatty, and the controversial director Woody Allen.

At a time when women were expected to marry, Keaton was an outlier, admitting she didn’t want to sacrifice her independence. 

Now, in a resurfaced Interview with a host of famous friends and family, it has been revealed that Keaton’s true motivation for never marrying was down to her mother. 

Keaton said she saw her mother give up her dreams in order to raise their family while her father worked – and the actress did not want that life for herself. 

Diane Keaton became romantically entangled with a slew of Hollywood heartthrobs – but there was one reason she ultimately chose her ‘independence’ over marriage and never settled down (Seen with Woody Allen in 1977)

The late actress, who passed away on Saturday aged 79, had high profile relationships with the likes of Al Pacino (Pictured in 1989), Warren Beattie and disgraced filmmaker Woody Allen

Asked by Friends star Lisa Kudrow what informed her feeling that women shouldn’t have to get married, Keaton said: ‘It goes back to my mother, because, for me, most everything does. 

‘I love my dad, of course—that goes without saying—but she was always there, and he was always working.’

‘I saw how much she gave up, I mentioned watching her get that crowning glory and being Mrs. Highland Park – after that, we moved down to Santa Ana, and it was over,’ she continued. 

Keaton added: ‘I feel like she chose family over her dreams – and she was just the best mother, but I think that she is the reason why I didn’t get married.’

The First Wives Club star became a defining face of 1970s cinema and later cemented her legacy with hits like Baby Boom, Father of the Bride and Something’s Gotta Give. 

Keaton was never ashamed of the fact that she didn’t get married, stating in 2014: ‘I don’t think that because I’m not married it’s made my life any less. That old maid myth is garbage.’ 

She also reflected in 2019: ‘I’m 73 and I think I’m the only one in my generation and maybe before who has been a single woman all her life.

‘I don’t think it would have been a good idea for me to have married, and I’m really glad I didn’t.’

Keaton and Allen dated after they starred together in his Broadway show Play It Again, Sam and Keaton went on to star in eight of his films from 1972 to 1993. They’re seen in 1977

She also had a romance with Beatty after she starred in his 1981 movie Reds

When asked why she never tied the knot in 2021, she admitted: ‘I didn’t want to give up my independence.’ 

While she may have embraced single life in recent years, she was linked to a slew of famous faces during the early years of her career. 

Keaton and Allen dated while she was starring in his Broadway show Play It Again, Sam in 1969.

While their relationship was brief, Keaton went on to star in eight of his films from 1972 to 1993 and was said to have been the inspiration behind his award-winning movie Annie Hall.

The two remained close friends after their split, and Keaton came to Allen’s defence in 2018 after he came under fire for past allegations made against him by his adopted daughter.

‘Woody Allen is my friend and I continue to believe him,’ Keaton tweeted at the time. 

She also told People while reflecting on their romance in 2017, ‘He is so hilarious and I just adored him, I really did.’ 

Keaton said she developed a fierce ‘crush’ on Pacino while they were filming The Godfather together in 1971.

But it wasn’t until they were making the 1974 sequel that things turned romantic between them. 

‘I was mad for him. Charming, hilarious, a nonstop talker,’ she reflected to People years later. There was an aspect of him that was like a lost orphan, like this kind of crazy idiot savant. And oh [so] gorgeous.’

They were on and off for years but ultimately split for good in 1990 because he wouldn’t commit to marriage.

She also had a brief romance with Beatty after she starred in his 1981 movie Reds.

‘He is just a brilliant character. So complex and charming. He should have made more movies,’ she later gushed to People.

She also told Variety: ‘He was, I mean, to die for. A Dream… Not only was he beautiful, gorgeous and sexy and captivating and mysterious and a great movie star but he was also an unbelievable producer and director.’

While Keaton never settled down, that didn’t stop her from becoming a mom.

She adopted her daughter, Dexter Keaton, in 1996 at age 50 and her son, Duke Keaton, in 2001 at age 55

A family spokesperson confirmed the tragic news that she had passed away on Saturday to People.

Her loved ones have requested privacy as they mourn her loss. No further details have been released.