Diane Keaton wasn’t just a powerhouse onscreen — she was unmistakable off it. The wide-brimmed hats, high-neck sweaters, oversized belts, and tailored suits became her signature, a fashion armor that fans adored. After her death at 79 on October 11, 2025, in Los Angeles, a deeply personal reason behind that iconic look has come into focus: a lifelong battle with skin cancer that she largely kept private.
Keaton rose to fame in classics like *The Godfather*, *Annie Hall*, and *The First Wives Club*, earning an Academy Award, a BAFTA, two Golden Globes, multiple Emmy nominations, and even a Tony nod over her 50-plus-year career. Yet in her final weeks, close friends noticed concerning changes. Songwriter Carole Bayer Sager told *People* that Keaton appeared “shockingly thin” when she saw her just weeks before her passing.
Hollywood long celebrated Keaton’s quirky, tailored fashion, but the actress revealed that her wardrobe wasn’t just about style — it was about protection. In a 2015 *Los Angeles Times* interview, she shared that she had battled multiple skin cancers since age 21, a disease that ran in her family. “My aunt’s case was so severe that doctors had to remove her nose. My father and my brother had it too,” she said. Keaton admitted she had neglected sun care in her youth but became vigilant in her 40s, later facing squamous cell carcinoma requiring multiple surgeries.
Her covered-up wardrobe offered more than physical protection. In a 2019 *InStyle* interview, Keaton explained, “It hides a multitude of sins — flaws, anxiety. I would not feel comfortable in a short skirt or something sleeveless.” Hats, she added, became both a shield and a comfort: “They just frame a head — I’ve always loved them.”
Even before her death, Keaton urged others to learn from her experience. “You’ve got to wear sunscreen,” she stressed, never leaving home without SPF 50. Now, as tributes pour in for the legendary actress, fans see her iconic look in a new light — not just as a fashion statement, but as a reflection of a silent, decades-long fight she carried with grace and resilience.
