Al Pacino Reveals Biggest Regret Following On-Screen Wife Diane Keaton’s Death

Al Pacino’s Regret After Diane Keaton’s Passing: “I Should Have Married Her”
(Include image: Diane Keaton and Al Pacino in The Godfather with caption: "The co-stars shared a decades-long romance after meeting on set.")

The sudden death of Oscar-winning actress Diane Keaton at 79 has left Al Pacino, 85, reflecting on his lifelong regret: not marrying her. The pair dated on and off from 1971 to 1987 after meeting during the filming of The Godfather, where Pacino played Michael Corleone and Keaton his wife, Kay. Despite their deep connection, Pacino never proposed, even after Keaton issued an ultimatum.

“Al admits Diane was the love of his life. He’ll always regret not committing,” a friend told the Daily Mail. When Keaton demanded marriage or a breakup, Pacino walked away, later saying, “If it’s meant to be, it’s never too late for a do-over.” Tragically, that chance is now gone.

(Include image: Diane Keaton in 2019 with caption: "Keaton passed away on Saturday; her cause of death remains undisclosed.")

Though both lived in Beverly Hills for years, they hadn’t spoken recently. “They said all they needed to say back then,” Pacino once explained. Friends reveal Keaton privately wished he’d proposed, but she valued independence, shaped by her mother’s self-reliant example. “Marriage wasn’t a priority, but with Al, she imagined a life together,” a source shared.

Keaton, known for Annie Hall and collaborations with Woody Allen, battled skin cancer early in life, inspiring her iconic turtlenecks and wide-brimmed hats. She adopted two children in her 50s—Dexter, 27, and Duke, 22—while Pacino fathered four children with three partners, including twins with ex Beverly D’Angelo.

(Include image: Al Pacino in 2025 with caption: "Pacino, pictured in 2025, prioritized fatherhood but avoided marriage.")

Their romance’s end marked a turning point. “Al doesn’t let anyone pressure him,” a friend noted, referencing his parents’ divorce and rebellious streak. Keaton later reflected, “I loved him deeply, but maybe I pushed too hard.”

Fellow stars like Woody Allen and Warren Beatty, whom she briefly dated, mourned her passing. Neighbors noted her recent absence from walks with her dog, sparking speculation about undisclosed health struggles.

(Include image: Keaton’s final Instagram post with her dog, caption: "Her last social media post showed her smiling with her beloved dog, Emma.")

Both icons remained unmarried, but their legacy endures through their children and films. As Pacino grapples with loss, their story remains a poignant Hollywood “what if.”

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