Hollywood mourns the loss of Diane Keaton, the Oscar-winning legend who passed away peacefully at 79 after a private battle with illness, leaving behind two children, a trailblazing career that redefined cinema, and a legacy of authenticity, wit, and timeless charm that forever changed Hollywood.

The world of cinema is in mourning following the death of Diane Keaton, the Oscar-winning actress, filmmaker, and cultural icon whose wit, charm, and singular style helped define generations of Hollywood storytelling.

Keaton, 79, passed away peacefully at her Los Angeles home late Sunday evening, surrounded by family and close friends, according to a family statement released early Monday morning.

While initial reports suggested natural causes, sources close to the family confirmed that complications from a long-term illness contributed to her passing — a struggle the actress had chosen to keep private for years.

Born in Los Angeles on January 5, 1946, Diane Keaton’s career spanned over five decades, marked by an extraordinary range of performances that redefined what it meant to be a leading woman in Hollywood.

Her breakout role as Kay Adams in The Godfather (1972) placed her at the heart of one of cinema’s most legendary franchises.

But it was her portrayal of the quirky, unforgettable Annie Hall in Woody Allen’s 1977 classic that earned her the Academy Award for Best Actress — and cemented her place in Hollywood history.

Throughout her career, Keaton became known not only for her acting but for her fearless authenticity.

From her boyish suits and oversized hats to her candid humor about aging, love, and loneliness, she crafted an image that was unapologetically her own.

Her long-time friend and Something’s Gotta Give co-star Jack Nicholson once described her as “a tornado of truth — unpredictable, brilliant, and completely original.”

Friends say that in her final months, Keaton had withdrawn from public life, choosing instead to spend quiet days at home with her two adopted children, Dexter and Duke.

Both were by her side during her final moments, along with a few close friends, including Al Pacino and Ellen Barkin, who had been part of her inner circle for decades.

“She didn’t want tears, she wanted laughter,” one insider revealed.

“Even in her last days, Diane made everyone smile.”

At a private press gathering outside her Beverly Hills residence, her daughter Dexter tearfully shared: “Mom lived her life exactly the way she wanted — full of art, humor, and heart.

She taught us that imperfection was beautiful.

That was her greatest lesson.”

Tributes from across Hollywood poured in within hours of the announcement.

Meryl Streep called her “a force of light in a world that often forgets to laugh,” while Woody Allen — who famously directed her in Annie Hall — said simply, “She made every line sound better than it was written.

” Younger stars like Emma Stone and Jennifer Lawrence credited Keaton as a “blueprint” for modern female actors, citing her refusal to conform to industry expectations.

Though her death has reopened conversations about the loneliness of fame, friends insist that Keaton was at peace with her journey.

In one of her final interviews two years ago, she admitted, “I’ve had great love, great heartbreak, and great wine.

I can’t complain.

Life gave me the best role — being me.”

Her passing also reignited public curiosity about her famously private personal life — particularly her relationships with Hollywood legends such as Al Pacino, Warren Beatty, and Woody Allen.

Though she never married, Keaton often joked that her “greatest love stories” were with her movies, her audience, and her children.

Plans are underway for a public memorial service in Los Angeles next week, expected to draw some of the biggest names in film and music.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations to the Alzheimer’s Association — a cause close to Keaton’s heart after losing her mother to the disease in 2008.

For millions of fans, Diane Keaton’s passing marks the end of an era — one defined by humor, honesty, and the power of individuality.

As Hollywood dimmed its lights Monday night, her words from a 2016 interview echoed across social media: “You don’t get to stay forever.

But if you’re lucky, you get to leave a little magic behind.”

And Diane Keaton did just that — with every role, every laugh, and every fearless moment that made her unforgettable.