Hollywood star Diane Keaton has passed away at the age of 79, leaving not only an indelible mark on film history but also a considerable fortune. Her death came as a surprise to many, as the actress kept her health problems a secret until the very end, with her condition worsening sharply in recent months. She chose to spend this time surrounded by only her closest loved ones, away from the press—very much in her trademark style: always a little distant and mysterious.
Over decades of a brilliant career, Keaton managed to amass a fortune estimated by experts at $100 million. However, the main source of her wealth was not so much her acting fees as her remarkable talent as an investor. Few people knew that behind the image of the eccentric intellectual from Woody Allen films was a shrewd businesswoman with an impeccable eye for real estate. She turned her passion for design and architecture into a highly profitable business, which became the cornerstone of her financial empire.
Her strategy was simple yet brilliant: she bought unique homes, breathed new life into them with her distinctive taste, and then sold them at a substantial profit. For example, in 2004, she purchased a mansion in Laguna Beach for 7 million euros and, just two years later, sold it to a new owner for 12 million. A similar story happened with a house in Pacific Palisades, bought in 2012 for 5 million dollars and sold in 2016 for 6.5 million. And the property in Arizona, acquired in 2018 for 1.2 million, brought her a net profit of one million in just two years.
The pinnacle of her passion was a house in Los Angeles, to which she even dedicated a book, “The House That Pinterest Built.” It was more than just a residence—it was a true art object, embodying her design ideas. In March of this year, she put it up for sale but changed her mind and withdrew it from the market shortly before her death. Now, this landmark property, like all her other assets, will be inherited by her adopted children—her daughter Dexter and son Duke, whom she adopted at a mature age, building a strong and very private family with them.
Of course, for millions of viewers, Diane Keaton will always be remembered as the Oscar winner for her role in “Annie Hall,” as Woody Allen’s muse, and as an unforgettable presence in iconic films from “The Godfather” to “The First Wives Club.” Her signature style, blending menswear elements with bohemian chic, made her a fashion icon across generations. But the story of her life has proved far more versatile, revealing not only a great actress, but also a talented entrepreneur and devoted mother who built her legacy brick by brick.
