Who is Kirsten Kief? Inside the Private Life of the Woman Managing Barry Manilow’s Legacy.

Introduction

The Silent Pillar of the Manilow Empire: Meet Kirsten Kief, Barry’s Stepdaughter and Business Successor

While Barry Manilow has spent decades under the dazzling lights of Las Vegas and international stages, his private life has remained a sanctuary of stability and deep family bonds. At the heart of that sanctuary is Kirsten Kief, the stepdaughter Manilow has helped raise since the late 1970s. As Barry and his husband, Garry Kief, navigate their golden years together, Kirsten has emerged not just as a beloved family member, but as a vital force in the “family business” that manages the Manilow legacy.

A Bond Formed in the “Ready to Take a Chance” Era

Barry Manilow’s journey into fatherhood began in 1978, the same year he met the love of his life, Garry Kief. At the time, Garry was a single father to a two-year-old daughter, Kirsten, born in 1976. Though Barry never had biological children, he embraced the role of stepfather with a sense of purpose inspired by his own past.

Manilow has often credited his own stepfather, Willie Murphy, for changing his life by introducing him to the world of jazz and Broadway. Channelling that same supportive energy, Barry helped raise Kirsten from a toddler into the “great, beautiful girl” she is today. For nearly 50 years, the trio has functioned as a tight-knit unit, long before the public was fully aware of Barry and Garry’s romantic partnership.

Following in the Management Footsteps

Kirsten didn’t just grow up around show business; she chose to make it her career. After graduating from Whittier College in 2001, she decided to follow her father, Garry—the longtime President and CEO of Stiletto Entertainment—into the industry.

Today, Kirsten serves as the Director of Business Services at Stiletto, the agency that manages not only Manilow’s career but also those of other major performers. Having spent over a decade at the company, she represents the bridge between the legendary era of 1970s pop and the modern management of a global music brand. Her transition into the family business underscores the immense trust and professional synergy that exists within the Kief-Manilow household.

New Chapters: From Stepdad to Grandfather

The family bond reached a new milestone in 2014 when Barry and Garry officially wed at their Palm Springs home. Kirsten was there to witness the emotional ceremony, which Barry described as “deeper than we thought it was going to be.”

However, the most transformative recent update came in 2023, when Barry revealed that Kirsten had adopted a daughter. This turned the 82-year-old music icon into a first-time grandfather. Speaking about the experience, Manilow admitted that while he never previously envisioned himself as a father figure, watching his granddaughter grow has been a “brand-new experience” that he is thoroughly enjoying.

A Life Away from the Spotlight

Despite her high-ranking role in her fathers’ empire, Kirsten has largely chosen a life of privacy. While she occasionally appears at prestigious events, such as the Emmy Awards, she remains a “silent pillar” of support. In an industry often defined by fleeting relationships, the enduring 48-year bond between Barry, Garry, and Kirsten stands as a testament to the family they built behind the scenes of the “Copacabana.”