Diane Keaton’s Death Was ‘Not a Shock,’ Friend Claims She’d Been Ill for a While

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A close friend of Diane Keaton is speaking out following news that the beloved actress died of pneumonia.

A longtime friend of Keaton’s told TMZ on Wednesday, October 15 that she had been struggling with an undisclosed illness for a while leading up to her October 11 death, and that the decline in her health made news of her passing “not a shock.”

That same day, Keaton’s family released a statement thanking fans for the outpouring of love and support following her passing.

“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,” the statement to People read.

They added that Keaton “loved her animals and was steadfast in her support of the unhoused community,” encouraging donations to local food banks or animal shelters in her memory.

Keaton’s final Instagram post, shared months ago, reflected her love of animals as she partnered with Hudson Grace in honor of National Pet Day. In the photo, she’s seen smiling beside her golden retriever, Reggie.

Carole Bayer Sager, another friend of Keaton’s, recently told People that the star was looking “very thin” in the weeks leading up to her passing. “She had lost so much weight,” Sager said.

As Star previously reported, the Godfather actress was pronounced dead on October 11 after Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics responded to her home around 8 a.m. and transported her to a nearby hospital.

Keaton is survived by her two children, son Duke, 25, and daughter Dexter, 29. Stars from around the world have continued to share tributes honoring the Oscar winner’s remarkable life and career.