Diane Keaton, who has died at 79, was celebrated for her unique style, but her life story carries a much deeper message about health and survival. The actress used her platform to speak with rare candor about her personal battles with skin cancer and bulimia, turning her struggles into powerful public warnings.
Her ever-present hats were the most visible sign of her health journey. After a skin cancer diagnosis at 21, she made them her signature, not for fashion, but for protection. She spoke of a strong family predisposition to the disease, a grim reality that drove her to be vigilant about sun exposure and, in turn, a vocal advocate for sunblock. “That’s why you’ve got to put the sunblock on,” she once urged.
This was a fight she faced repeatedly. After an initial diagnosis of basal cell carcinoma, she later contended with squamous cell cancer, which required surgical intervention twice. Her story was a sobering reminder of the long-term dangers of sun damage, a point she emphasized by sharing her own regret over neglecting skincare in her youth.
Keaton was equally forthright about her struggle with bulimia, which she described as an addiction. The illness took root after she was told to lose weight for a role, leading to a compulsive cycle of binging on up to 20,000 calories a day. Her willingness to share the graphic details of her binges provided a stark and necessary look at the reality of eating disorders.
By seeking professional help and committing to recovery, Keaton reclaimed her life. She later embraced motherhood and used her memoir to connect with others who had similar experiences. In doing so, she transcended her role as an actress to become a beacon of honesty, using her own painful past to educate and inspire.
More Than a Fashion Icon: Diane Keaton’s Candid Health Warnings on Cancer and Addiction
