Diane Keaton, a Hollywood icon, was renowned for many attributes—her sharp wit, unique sense of humor, and a remarkable acting career spanning over fifty years. Yet, there was more beneath the surface than many realized.
The cherished film star sadly passed away on Saturday, October 11. Her family has requested privacy, and the exact cause of her death remains unconfirmed.
Fans and celebrities alike have been offering heartfelt tributes, including frequent collaborator Woody Allen. Meanwhile, a close friend has provided insights into her condition in the weeks preceding her passing.
Keaton’s style was as legendary as her roles in films such as Annie Hall, The Godfather, and The First Wives Club. Her fashion sense, featuring turtlenecks, oversized suits, chunky belts, and signature hats, was iconic.
Her bold fashion choices and the quirky confidence she exuded captivated fans for years, making her one of cinema’s most distinctive personalities.
Keaton’s look was so recognizable that it became nearly inseparable from her persona: timeless, elegant, and effortlessly cool.
In describing her signature style, Keaton once explained that her look needed “a turtleneck, suit, large belt, and of course, a hat and glasses.”
Behind the glamour and individuality, there was a poignant reason for her meticulously chosen wardrobe.
The star’s preference for covering her neck and head was not merely about fashion; it was intensely personal and, at times, a matter of survival.
In a 2019 InStyle interview, Keaton disclosed that her signature style was more than a fashion statement, saying: “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.”
She further explained how hats served as a kind of armor: “And I’ve always liked hats. They just frame a head. But, of course, nobody really thinks they’re as great as I do.”
Moreover, the Oscar-winning actress had a significant medical reason for her choice of covered attire.
Keaton had been fighting skin cancer for much of her adult life. At just 21, she was diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma, followed by a diagnosis of squamous cell cancer years later, necessitating multiple surgeries.
She advised TotalBeauty readers, “Wear sunscreen. You’ve got to put it on,” mentioning she always carried factor 50 sunscreen after her ‘serious’ diagnosis.
Skin cancer was prevalent in her family; her father, brother, and aunt all had the disease, with her aunt losing her nose to it. Reflecting on her youthful sun exposure, she called it ‘stupid,’ urging others to protect their skin before it was too late.
Keaton shared with the LA Times that her hats were a part of her strategy to shield her face from the sun. Similarly, her preference for turtlenecks protected her neck.
While her iconic hats and high collars appeared effortlessly chic, they were also symbols of self-protection—shielding her from Hollywood’s harshness and the dangers of UV exposure.
Underneath that iconic brim, Diane Keaton was not only a style icon but also a survivor.