Diane Keaton's daughter, Dexter 'Dexie' White, has shared a touching tribute to the late actress as she marked her first Mother's Day since the Hollywood icon's death. Dexie, whom Keaton adopted in her fifties, posted three candid photos with the star on Instagram on Sunday.
'First Mother's Day without you. I miss you more than words can say. Missing her voice, her hugs, her presence, and everything that made her home. I love you, Mom,' she wrote in the caption. She also re-shared one of the photos to her Instagram Stories, writing, 'I miss smiling with you. I just miss you, mom...'
One sweet snap showed the Annie Hall star, who died from pneumonia at age 79, giving her daughter a kiss on the cheek. Another throwback photo showed a younger Dexie and her mom enjoying a day on the beach. The third photo captured Dexie on her wedding day, receiving a warm embrace from her mother.
Keaton never married but adopted two children: Dexie in 1996 and son Duke in 2001. Duke found a unique way to pay tribute to Keaton in October, stepping out wearing two cross necklaces in a look made famous by his mother.
In 2003, Keaton told Film Monthly about her experience of becoming a mother: 'Motherhood has completely changed me. It's just about the most completely humbling experience I've ever had.'
The Oscar winner never wed despite heated romances with co-stars Jack Nicholson, Warren Beatty, Al Pacino, and Woody Allen. 'It goes back to my mother, because, for me, most everything does,' Keaton explained to Interview in 2021. 'She had four kids, and I was the firstborn. I saw how much she gave up. 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. I didn't want to give up my independence. By the way, no one has ever asked me to marry them, either, so that might be a good answer. I should've started with that and called it a day.'
The Hollywood legend died on October 11, with her family revealing she passed away from pneumonia. Her death certificate, obtained by the Daily Mail, confirmed Keaton had battled primary bacterial pneumonia for days before her death. The document listed no other significant contributing conditions and said Keaton was cremated on October 14. Primary bacterial pneumonia is a lung infection caused by bacteria that can develop on its own or after a viral infection.
Keaton's family issued an emotional statement: '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.' They also offered insight into what the Hollywood icon had been dedicated to, including her love for animals. 'She loved her animals and she was steadfast in her support of the unhoused community, so any donations in her memory to a local food bank or an animal shelter would be a wonderful and much appreciated tribute to her.'
A friend close to Keaton had previously told People that the star's health had 'declined very suddenly' and was 'heartbreaking for everyone who loved her.' 'In her final months, she was surrounded only by her closest family, who chose to keep things very private. Even longtime friends weren't fully aware of what was happening.'
Keaton's final moments were also revealed in a chilling 911 call placed on early Saturday morning. In a recording obtained by TMZ, a dispatcher called for the Los Angeles Fire Department to respond to reports of a 'person down' at Keaton's residence around 8am. The Godfather actress was transported to a nearby hospital by ambulance where she was later pronounced dead.
Keaton first found fame playing Michael Corleone's second wife Kay Adams in The Godfather trilogy and went on to star in eight Woody Allen movies, including Annie Hall.
