For decades, Diane Keaton has been known as one of Hollywood’s most beloved and eccentric stars — the woman with the bowler hat, the infectious laugh, and a heart as big as her talent.

 

 

 

 

But behind the charm, the Oscar-winning actress is now facing a heartbreaking family war that has left her friends stunned and fans speechless.

According to close insiders, Diane’s two adopted children — daughter Dexter and son Duke — are at bitter odds over their mother’s multimillion-dollar estate.

What began as quiet disagreements has turned into something far darker, something that Diane reportedly never saw coming.

The once tight-knit trio, who for years seemed inseparable, have found themselves divided by resentment, jealousy, and accusations of betrayal.

“She’s absolutely devastated,” one longtime friend revealed. “Diane always believed her kids would look after each other. Now they can barely be in the same room.”

It all started earlier this year when Diane began quietly arranging her will.

Having spent a lifetime in Hollywood, she had accumulated an impressive fortune — her acting earnings, real estate, art collections, and valuable memorabilia from decades in the industry.

 

 

 

 

According to those close to her, she wanted everything handled fairly, equally, and privately.

But as lawyers began drafting the papers, tensions between Dexter and Duke began to surface.

Dexter, the eldest, believed she had sacrificed more over the years — helping care for Diane as she aged, managing parts of her household, and being her mother’s emotional anchor.

Duke, on the other hand, insisted that their mother had always promised to treat them the same, no matter what.

“He said it wasn’t about money,” the source explained. “It was about respect. He felt like Dexter was trying to control everything.”

At first, the arguments were subtle — small jabs, quiet disagreements during family dinners.

But things quickly spiraled out of control.

A heated exchange during a private family meeting reportedly ended with Duke storming out, shouting, “You’re being selfish! This isn’t what Mom wanted!”

 

 

 

 

 

Since that day, communication between the siblings has nearly vanished.

Dexter has refused to attend certain family events if her brother is there.

Duke, meanwhile, has distanced himself completely, spending more time traveling and avoiding Los Angeles altogether.

For Diane, now 79, the situation has been unbearable.

Friends say she’s tried everything to bring her children back together — dinners, mediation, even writing them heartfelt letters begging for peace.

“She blames herself,” a family insider shared. “She keeps saying, ‘I must’ve done something wrong raising them.’ But this isn’t her fault. It’s the pressure, the money, the fame — it changes people.”

While Diane has not made any public statements about the situation, those closest to her say she’s visibly aged in recent months.

 

 

 

 

 

She spends more time alone at her Pacific Palisades home, tending to her garden and avoiding social gatherings.

“She’s always been private,” one friend said, “but now it feels like she’s retreating from everyone.”

The irony, many note, is that Diane has spent her entire life building a legacy centered on love, authenticity, and individuality.

From her groundbreaking roles in *Annie Hall* and *The Godfather* to her role as a single mother who adopted both children on her own, she has always preached compassion and independence.

Now, the very values she tried to teach her family seem to be slipping away.

Insiders say the final breaking point came when a leaked document revealed how Diane’s assets might be divided.

Although the details remain private, reports suggest that one sibling may inherit a significantly larger share due to their “caretaking role.”

When Duke discovered this, he reportedly exploded with anger, accusing his sister of manipulating their mother.

“He said she was trying to control the narrative, to make herself look like the devoted one,” a source claimed. “It got ugly.”

 

 

 

 

 

Since then, Diane has asked her lawyers to pause all legal proceedings, hoping to repair the emotional damage before making any permanent decisions.

But those close to the family aren’t optimistic.

“The wounds are too deep,” one friend admitted. “There’s so much resentment now. It’s not about money anymore — it’s about pride.”

For Diane, who has faced the highs and lows of Hollywood with grace, this may be the hardest role she’s ever had to play — that of a mother watching her family unravel.

“She’s always been strong,” said another confidant. “But this has broken something inside her. She says she just wants peace before she’s gone.”

 

 

 

 

 

As the days go by, friends say Diane continues to hold out hope that her children will find their way back to each other.

She often says that fame and fortune mean nothing without love.

And maybe, somewhere beneath the anger and hurt, that message will reach them.

 

 

 

 

 

Until then, Hollywood’s beloved eccentric sits quietly in her home, surrounded by memories of laughter, family, and a lifetime of dreams — waiting for the day when her children finally remember what truly matters.