Diane Keaton's death certificate has confirmed that the Oscar-winning actress died from primary bacterial pneumonia, according to documents obtained by the Daily Mail. The 79-year-old passed away on October 11, with the certificate noting she had the infection for days before her death and listing no other significant contributing conditions. She was cremated on October 14.
Primary bacterial pneumonia is a lung infection caused by bacteria, often developing after a viral illness, with symptoms including cough, fever, chest pain, and difficulty breathing. Keaton's family issued a statement expressing gratitude for the outpouring of love and requesting donations to local food banks or animal shelters in her memory, reflecting her dedication to the unhoused community and her love for animals.
A longtime friend told TMZ that Keaton had been battling an unnamed illness prior to her death, making it 'not a shock.' Another friend described her health as declining 'very suddenly' in her final months, with only her closest family present. A 911 call placed on the morning of her death revealed she was found unresponsive at her home and transported to hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Friend Carole Bayer Sager recalled seeing Keaton weeks before her death and being 'stunned by how much weight she'd lost.' Sager noted that Keaton had been affected by the LA wildfires in January, requiring her to stay in Palm Springs while her home was cleaned. She described Keaton as 'a magic light for everyone.'
In the wake of her death, it was also reported that former partner Al Pacino harboured a lifelong regret of not marrying Keaton, calling her 'an amazing woman' and admitting he 'will forever regret he didn't make his move when he had the chance.'
