‘Annie Hall’ actress Diane Keaton passed away on October 11 at the age of 79. Celebrated for her legendary contribution to the film industry, Keaton’s death was mourned by many. However, the reason for Diane Keaton’s death was not known at the time. Days after her demise, a family member revealed that the actress died of pneumonia, according to People Wednesday.
“The Keaton family are very grateful for the extraordinary messages of love and support they have received these past few days on behalf of their beloved Diane, who passed away from pneumonia on October 11,” read the statement. They revealed that her love for animals was “steadfast in her support of the unhoused community,” and urged her fans to make donations in the form of food or care towards the animal shelter.
The 79-year-old’s health was on a rapid decline, “very suddenly and unexpectedly” in the months leading up to her death. As per several reports, she had put her Palm Springs ‘dream’ home for sale for nearly $29 million in March, thus triggering major personal changes in her life. While she was never married, several rumours arose of her relationship with Godfather star Al Pacino till 1990, when they officially called it quits after two decades. She did, however, adopt two children nearly thirty years ago and is survived by both Dexter and Duke.
Pneumonia in elderly
Pneumonia is a serious lung infection and is triggered when one or both of the air sacs are filled with bacteria or pus. Common in both infants and elders, the range of illness can depend on the individual factors like age, overall health, and cause of infection.
As per a WebMD study, ‘What to Know About Pneumonia in Older People’ reviewed by Dr Sabrina Felson (2025), the risk for developing pneumonia gets higher as one gets older, especially aspiration pneumonia. It is when food is inhaled from the stomach, commonly seen with an impaired swallowing reflex. The immune system also plays a significant role in the severity of the infection.
Common causes
Pneumonia, being a communicable disease, is a dangerous situation for elderly homes. Not only does it put the caregivers at risk, but they can also become carriers of the infection. Prolonged stays in the hospital can also be a trigger for the infection, as per the WebMD report. Fungal pneumonia is common among the elderly and primarily affects those with a pre-existing chronic health issue.
‘I want to be there for them’
In an interview in 2012, Keaton had opened up about the anxiety of not being there for her children as she aged. Speaking to AARP, she revealed that her father passed away when he was 68, and her mother in her early 70s “when her brain really started to go.” Looking back at it, she said, “When I think about my kids in their 20s and 30s, and me in my 70s and 80s, I worry about that, definitely.
“I want to be there for them,” she remarked, expressing her desire to stay healthy, both mind and body. She was also reportedly struggling with an eating disorder and had taken steps to take care of her mental health. In fact, she was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 21, and again with squamous cell cancer. Beating the chronic disease twice, Keaton truly struggled with her health for most of her life.