Barry Manilow’s 39-Year Secret Romance: The Hidden Wedding at 71
For decades, Barry Manilow was a beloved figure in the music world, enchanting fans worldwide with his smooth voice and heartfelt performances. His music, particularly the hit song “Mandy,” made him a household name. Yet, the news that shocked many of his fans came when he revealed his 39-year-long relationship with a man, whom he married at the age of 71. To add to the surprise, the couple later had a child together.
Born Barry Alan Pincus to Edna Manilow, Barry’s rise to fame began with his pop-rock ballads that resonated deeply with his audience. His career was marked by constant media presence, and he became an iconic figure, especially among his large female fanbase.
Many were shocked when he abruptly disclosed that he had been seeing a man for 39 years, especially since he had previously been married to Susan Deixler, his high school sweetheart. At one point, their relationship was well reported since fans loved following the singer around.
Deixler was Manilow’s first love outside of music. It was said that she was the “prettiest girl in the class.” She had a voluptuous shape, excellent legs, and was adorable, according to his affectionate description of her. Dark brown eyes, jet-black hair, and a beaming smile that filled the room.
Ultimately, Deixler reciprocated Manilow’s feelings, and in 1964, at the ages of 19 and 21, they exchanged vows in a simple court ceremony. Due to her family’s wishes, they later had a rabbi perform the ceremony again.
Unfortunately, their marriage didn’t last, and they separated just two years later. Despite being deeply in love with Deixler at the time, Manilow later admitted that the wedding had been rushed and that he wasn’t truly ready for the lifelong commitment that marriage requires.
The pop-rock sensation claims that his relationship with Deixler quickly soured because he was too busy creating music. He stated:
“I was too young, so I was out every night making music and planting my wild oats.” I wasn’t prepared to start a family.
Despite the fact that it resulted in the dissolution of his marriage, Manilow’s dedication to music eventually began to pay off. The breakthrough song “Mandy” launched his meteoric rise to popularity, followed by timeless hits like “Copacabana (At the Copa),” “Can’t Smile Without You,” and “Looks Like We Made It.”
Four years after “Mandy” became popular, he was able to meet the man who would become his lifelong love, Garry Kief, a TV executive. Manilow would accept that the person he was in love with was a male, even if he insists he was not having sexual difficulties at the time of his breakup with Deixler.
Although Manilow had found “the one,” he was forced to keep his sexual orientation and same-sex relationship a secret to avoid public scandal and unwanted media attention. He admitted that during that time, having open conversations about his personal life was incredibly challenging. “It was very difficult to do that back then,” he reflected, acknowledging that speaking out would have likely led to negative press.
The man whose life was transformed
The TV executive quickly became Manilow’s manager after meeting Kief, a position he still holds today. For good reason, he is also the president of Barry Manilow Productions. Manilow claims that “[Kief is] the smartest person I’ve ever met in my life – and a great guy, too.”
The singer maintains that he is the one who won the lottery, despite the fact that some may believe Kief struck gold when he first met Manilow in 1978. He was certain that he had finally found “the one,” and this belief still endures today. “This was it, I knew. One of the fortunate ones was myself. Before then, I felt quite alone,” he exclaimed.
ON MAINTAINING A SECRET RELATIONSHIP
Although it wasn’t always easy for the pair, Manilow and Kief have been content to stay together for over 40 years. Because fans were getting hostile and would express their disapproval, they had to conceal their relationship and Manilow’s sexual orientation.
Kief got into a car with Manilow when they went to one of his performances early in their relationship. After the car was rocked by fans, Kief immediately acknowledged that he couldn’t take it. Manilow was happy he stayed in the end.
Manilow finally made the decision to keep quiet about his sexual orientation after the terrifying incident out of concern for his admirers. Manilow had always wanted them to be proud of his personal qualities and of the work he produced.
One interviewer once questioned Kief about his sexual orientation, but generally no one would bring up the fact that he and Manilow would eat supper together in public. He had no choice but to lie. The singer acknowledged that if the question had been asked again, he would have proudly and truthfully responded.
MARRYING AT THE AGE OF 71
Manilow and Kief have been blissfully married since 2014, so they don’t need to hide any longer. Even after their wedding, the singer acknowledged at the time that he was still reluctant to come out in public and talk about their relationship with the media.
In April 2014, in front of their closest loved ones, Manilow and Kief exchanged vows in a private ceremony at their Palm Springs home. News of their marriage and Manilow’s sexual orientation eventually surfaced a year later.
The celebrity acknowledges that it is “a blessing and a curse.” Since he believed that revealing his sexual orientation to his admirers would be a letdown, he had always been thoughtful of them.
Ultimately, he felt thrilled that people were pleased to learn about him and Kief, and he was moved by all of their supportive remarks for their union. Their marriage has remained strong to this day, and they have raised Kief’s biological daughter Kirsten together.
The TV executive was married and had a one-year-old kid when Kief and Manilow first met. Being a proud stepfather, Manilow has nothing but positive things to say about his hubby. He once said:
That is the relationship’s miracle. We have a respectful relationship and have never had any disagreements.
At one time, Deixler, Manilow’s ex-wife, learned of the wedding and said she was happy for him. She referred to their prior union as “ancient history” and sent her best wishes to Manilow and Kief.
Manilow acknowledges that nothing has changed now that everyone is aware of his sexual orientation because his friends and family have always known. The obvious distinction, though, is that he can openly discuss his sexual orientation with the rest of the world. He revealed:
There has never been a problem with it in my opinion. Being a homosexual man with a wonderful life and a wonderful partner for forty years makes me really proud.
Singers like Harry Styles have followed suit and have openly discussed sexuality as it is no longer a taboo subject. Manilow and Styles, for example, have nothing to conceal and can offer their whole to the world, whether as public figures or performers.
