Hollywood icon Diane Keaton passed away at the age of 79, her family confirmed in a statement shared with PEOPLE. The Oscar-winning actress, celebrated for her prolific career and distinctive charm, died in California, with her loved ones requesting privacy during their time of immense loss. Her passing prompted an outpouring of heartfelt tributes from fans and fellow stars around the world.

Keaton's illustrious career spanned decades, marked by iconic performances in seminal films such as Francis Ford Coppola's 'The Godfather' trilogy, where she portrayed Kay Adams, and Woody Allen's influential 'Annie Hall,' for which she earned an Academy Award. Her work with Allen also solidified her as a fashion icon, synonymous with the character's menswear-inspired style. Beyond these, she graced the screen in beloved productions like 'The First Wives Club,' 'Something's Gotta Give,' 'Marvin's Room,' and 'Reds,' garnering additional Oscar nominations for the latter three. She also had notable collaborations with director Nancy Meyers, including the 'Book Club' series. Throughout her career, Keaton amassed numerous accolades, including a BAFTA, Golden Globe Awards, and nominations for two Emmy Awards and a Tony Award, solidifying her status as one of Hollywood's greatest actresses.

Off-screen, Diane Keaton's personal life was as unique as her professional one. She was romantically linked to several Hollywood stars, including Woody Allen, her 'Godfather' co-star Al Pacino, and Warren Beatty. Despite these high-profile relationships, Keaton notably chose never to marry. In a 2019 interview with PEOPLE, she reflected on this decision, stating, 'Today I was thinking, I'm the only one in my generation of actresses who has been a single woman all her life. I'm really glad I didn't get married. I'm an oddball.' She recalled an early instance where she rejected the idea of being a wife. At the age of 50, Keaton embraced motherhood, adopting two children. She described motherhood as a transformative and 'completely humbling experience' after her father's death.

Behind her radiant public image, Keaton bravely navigated profound personal struggles, including a long and intense battle with bulimia and enduring issues with self-image and mental health. She candidly revealed in a 2014 interview that her eating disorder, which began in her twenties during her casting in the Broadway show 'Hair,' was 'the lowest point in [her] life.' The show's director had demanded she lose weight, marking the start of her unhealthy relationship with food. During an appearance on 'The Dr. Oz Show,' Keaton shared the shocking extent of her illness, admitting to consuming as many as 20,000 calories a day. She recounted evenings where she would eat 'A bucket of fried chicken, several orders of fries with blue cheese and ketchup, a couple of TV dinners, a quart of soda, pounds of candy, a whole cake, and three banana cream pies.' Reflecting on that period, she acknowledged living a lie for four years, becoming 'an obese person' who had 'tricked myself and managed to hide it.' Keaton openly identified as an addict in recovery, recognizing her addictive nature.

After years of secrecy, Keaton successfully overcame her eating disorder but continued to speak openly about her ongoing challenges with confidence and the process of aging. In a 2020 interview, she admitted that feeling secure within herself remained a struggle, emphasizing that it 'gets more pressing' with age as it approaches the inevitability of death. Keaton frequently credited therapy for helping her confront and understand her inner battles, highlighting the importance of speaking out and owning one's thoughts and feelings. She saw herself as a 'sister to all the rest of the women — and men as well — who have had some kind of eating disorder,' advocating for openness and shared experience.

Tributes poured in from around the world following the news of her passing. Broadcaster Piers Morgan was among the first to honor her, tweeting: 'RIP Diane Keaton, 79. Oscar-winning star of Annie Hall, brilliant in the Godfather and Father of the Bride movies. One of Hollywood's greatest actresses, and a delightful lady. Sad news.' Diane Keaton's legacy will undoubtedly live on through her unforgettable performances and her courageous honesty about her personal journey.