Here’s The Sad Reason Why Diane Keaton Always Wore Hats And Turtlenecks

Diane Keaton wasn’t just a powerhouse onscreen — she was unmistakable off it. The wide-brimmed hats, the high-neck sweaters, the oversized belts and tailored suits became her armor and her brand. But after her death at age 79, a deeply personal reason behind that beloved look has resurfaced — and it traces back to a lifelong health battle the actress largely kept private.

Keaton — who rose to fame in classics including The Godfather, Annie Hall, and The First Wives Club — died on October 11, 2025, in Los Angeles. The Oscar-winning star had spent more than 50 years in the public eye, collecting an Academy Award, a BAFTA, two Golden Globes, multiple Emmy nominations, and even a Tony nod along the way. Yet in her final weeks, close friends now say there were signs that something was wrong.

Songwriter Carole Bayer Sager, a longtime confidant, told People that Keaton looked “shockingly thin” when she saw her just weeks before she passed. “She’d become extremely thin,” Sager recalled, emphasizing how abrupt and obvious the change was.

While Hollywood fans had long celebrated Keaton’s trademark fashion as quirky and iconic, the actress herself admitted years ago that it wasn’t just about style — it was about protection.

In a 2015 interview with The Los Angeles Times, Keaton revealed she had battled “many skin cancers” throughout her life, beginning with a basal cell carcinoma diagnosis at just 21 years old. The disease ran in her family. “My aunt’s case was so severe that doctors had to remove her nose.” My father and my brother had it too,” she said, explaining why she never left home without sunscreen and covered up whenever possible.

She admitted she ignored sun care in her younger years — a decision she called “stupid” — and said she didn’t start aggressively protecting her skin until her 40s. Later in life she faced squamous cell carcinoma as well, which required multiple surgeries.

In a separate interview with InStyle in 2019, Keaton openly said her covered-up wardrobe provided more than physical protection. “It hides a multitude of sins — flaws, anxiety,” she confessed. “I would not feel comfortable in a short skirt or something sleeveless.” Hats, she added, became both a shield and a comfort: “They just frame a head — I’ve always loved them.”

Even before her death, Keaton urged others to learn from her experience. “You’ve got to wear sunscreen,” she warned in a beauty interview, stressing that she never left the house without an SPF 50.

As tributes pour in for the legendary actress, fans now see her iconic look in a new light — not just as a fashion statement, but as evidence of a silent fight she carried with grace for decades