**Woody Allen Remembers Diane Keaton After Her Passing**

Woody Allen has publicly expressed his grief following the death of Diane Keaton, his longtime muse and former partner, who passed away on Saturday at the age of 79. The 89-year-old director shared an emotional tribute in The Free Press on Sunday, reflecting on their deep connection that began in the late 1960s.

Allen wrote, “It’s grammatically incorrect to say ‘most unique,’ but all rules of grammar and I suppose everything else are suspended when talking about Diane Keaton. Unlike anyone the planet has experienced or is unlikely to ever see again, her face and laugh illuminated any space she entered.”

The pair first met in 1969 when Keaton auditioned for Allen’s Broadway play, *Play It Again, Sam*. She secured the role, earning a Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actress, which marked the beginning of a creative partnership that would shape both their careers. Allen revealed in his tribute how much he valued Keaton’s opinion, stating, “I never read a single review of my work and cared only what Keaton had to say about it. If she liked it, I counted the film as an artistic success.”

Their collaboration resulted in eight films, including the iconic *Annie Hall* in 1977, which earned Keaton an Oscar for Best Actress. Allen lamented, “A few days ago, the world was a place that included Diane Keaton. Now it’s a world that does not. Hence, it’s a drearier world.” He added, “Still, there are her movies. And her great laugh still echoes in my head.”

Keaton died suddenly in California on October 11. Paramedics were called to her Los Angeles home at 8:08 a.m., and she was later pronounced dead at the hospital. A source revealed that Allen was “extremely distraught, surprised, and upset” by the news, noting that he had not been aware of her declining health.

Despite their romantic relationship ending decades ago, Allen and Keaton maintained a close friendship. In her 2011 memoir, *Then Again*, Keaton expressed her feelings for Allen, stating, “I miss Woody. He’d cringe if he knew how much I care about him... What am I supposed to do? I still love him.”

Keaton also defended Allen amid the sexual abuse allegations against him, stating in 2018, “Woody Allen is my friend and I continue to believe him.” According to a source, their bond remained strong, with Allen grateful for her support.

During Keaton’s 2017 AFI Life Achievement Award ceremony, Allen praised her as “a great, great inspiration,” crediting her with much of his success. A family spokesperson confirmed her passing, describing it as “very sudden and heartbreaking.” A close friend noted that she was surrounded by her closest family in her final months, with even longtime friends unaware of her condition.

Keaton, who never married, adopted two children in her 50s, raising them as a single mother. She once remarked, “I was never going to be prepared to be a mother. Motherhood was not an urge I couldn't resist. It was more like a thought I'd been thinking for a very long time.”

Before her death, Keaton had amassed a fortune of approximately $100 million, primarily from her acting career, but also as a savvy real estate investor with a passion for interior design and house flipping. Her legacy continues through her films and the impact she had on those around her.