Introduction

Barry Manilow’s Long-Hidden Truth: Why He Kept His Marriage and Sexuality Secret for Decades

For more than half a century, Barry Manilow—one of pop music’s most iconic voices—lived behind a carefully constructed curtain of privacy. Now, at 73, the legendary singer has finally opened up about one of the most personal chapters of his life: his sexuality and his secret marriage. In a rare and candid revelation, Manilow confirmed not only that he is gay, but also that he had been quietly married for three years, choosing for decades to keep the truth hidden from both the industry and the millions of fans who adored him.

In an interview with People magazine, Manilow admitted that fear played a powerful role in his silence. “I thought I would be disappointing fans if they knew I was gay,” he explained. His sexuality had long been something of an open secret within the entertainment industry—suspected by some insiders yet still met with genuine shock by many once he publicly acknowledged it.

A particularly surprising detail came when Manilow confirmed rumors that he had been in a 40-year relationship with his longtime manager, Garry Kief. Their bond, built quietly over decades, remained almost entirely hidden from public view. In 2014, the two solidified their lifelong partnership in a discreet and intimate wedding ceremony at Manilow’s home in Palm Springs, California. Only a small circle knew of the marriage, and the couple made no public announcement at the time.

Before coming out publicly, Manilow went to great lengths to maintain a heterosexual image. He dated women, made public appearances with them, and even shared a home at one point with television producer Linda Allen. Few people outside his inner circle knew that he had once been briefly married to a woman. At just 21, he wed his high-school sweetheart, Susan Deixler. The marriage lasted only a year, with Susan reportedly seeking an annulment on the grounds that it had never been consummated. Manilow, looking back, expressed warmth and affection toward her but acknowledged that he simply had not been ready—or able—to live authentically at that time.

Today, Manilow says he is happier than ever. The reaction from fans, once his greatest fear, has been overwhelmingly positive. According to People, the singer was deeply moved by the outpouring of love he received both online and in person—messages of support, joy, and gratitude from fans who simply wanted him to be happy.

After decades of silence, Manilow’s truth is finally out in the open, and the world has responded not with disappointment, but with admiration. His story, long concealed, now stands as a testament to courage, vulnerability, and the power of living authentically—no matter how long it takes.

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