Diane Keaton Had Skin Cancer and Bulimia Before Her Sudden Death: Exploring The Medical Conditions

The entertainment world was shaken when Diane Keaton died very suddenly at age 79. Her death came after a reportedly “very sudden” decline in health. Reports from those close to her say her health took a sudden turn for the worse over the last few months. For a star who spent decades openly sharing her ups and downs, this final chapter has left many questions unanswered and plenty of reflection on her remarkable and challenging life. However, before her death, she had openly battled skin cancer and bulimia during her lifetime.

Diane Keaton Cause of Death 

As of October 13, 2025, there is still no official statement or medical confirmation about why Diane Keaton died. Her family has been clear that they wish to keep the circumstances private for now. Multiple reputable news outlets have reported her death, but each notes that the cause remains undisclosed. 

While rumors and speculation have circulated, the facts are simple: Diane Keaton’s actual cause of death is not yet known. However, it’s widely documented that throughout her life, Keaton faced and spoke openly about two major medical conditions: skin cancer and bulimia.

ALSO READ: Dealing with Kidney Stones, Dolly Parton Shares Her Health Update with Fans

Diane Keaton’s Long Battle With Skin Cancer

Skin cancer was a part of Diane Keaton’s story since her early twenties. In fact, she was diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma at just 21 years old. Decades later, she faced squamous cell carcinoma on her face, which required two major surgeries for removal. In our previous article, Dr. Chinjitha T Davis, Associate Consultant Dermatology, Manipal Hospital, Goa explains that skin cancer begins when skin cells grow abnormally and out of control. He further adds that “there are several types: melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, Merkel cell carcinoma. Some of the risk factors include excess sun / UV exposure, sunburn history, fair skin, genetics or family history, chemical exposure, immunosuppression, chronic skin conditions”

Keaton’s own experience backs this up. She often talked about how she started caring for her skin seriously only later in life, after seeing so many relatives suffer from similar cancers. Her signature hats and sunscreen weren’t just a style choice and how they became daily essentials for her.

Diane Keaton’s Battle With Bulimia

Bulimia nervosa, an eating disorder, affected Keaton deeply. She first opened up about it in her memoir and on talk shows. The disorder started after a Broadway director urged her to lose ten pounds for a starring role. She described eating up to 20,000 calories in a night—fried chicken, fries, candy, cake and then purging to hide her habits.

It can impose serious stress on the cardiovascular system, as Dr. (Col) Manjinder Sandhu, Principal Director of Cardiology, Fortis Hospital, Gurgaon, explained in our previous article. He warns that eating disorders are not merely mental health issues. They can directly damage the heart, cause arrhythmias, electrolyte shifts, and even sudden cardiac risk. According to him, Bulimia nervosa involves recurrent episodes of binge eating followed by purging behaviours, such as vomiting, fasting, or excessive exercise, to compensate for the consumed calories. 

ALSO READ: 3 Fitness Red Flags You Should Never Ignore: Fitness Expert Shares Risk Factors

Conclusion

Diane Keaton’s sudden passing leaves many questions unanswered. But her life’s disclosures of skin cancer and bulimia invite reflection on how chronic, partially hidden health burdens can influence outcomes. Skin cancer underscores the importance of vigilance and early intervention. Bulimia reminds us of the deep mind–body links in disease. Her journey teaches us: behind every public persona may lie private struggles and that understanding them can lead to compassion, awareness, and perhaps better health for all.