By admin 
Introduction
The revelation that Barry Manilow, one of the world’s most successful and wealthy pop singers, secretly married his longtime manager, Garry Kief, may have stunned his legion of female fans, but it hasn’t stopped the buzz surrounding Hollywood’s enduring icon. While social media erupted with reactions of heartbreak — one post lamented, “My mom can’t stop crying about Barry” — many insiders had long suspected the truth: the tanned, disco-dancing superstar was gay.
For decades, Manilow never publicly confirmed his sexuality, likely fearing backlash from his middle-America, family-oriented fan base, which had fueled his remarkable 40-year career. With over 100 million records sold, his influence was undeniable, and his decision to remain private about his personal life was strategic.
Even Manilow may have struggled with denial. Over the years, he was romantically linked to a series of high-profile women and was briefly married to his high-school sweetheart, Susan Deixler, in 1964. The marriage ended in just 18 months, annulled on the grounds that it had never been consummated.
In the entertainment world, however, his sexuality has been an open secret since the 1970s. Manilow and Garry Kief, now 66, have been partners for more than three decades. Kief first entered Manilow’s life during a financial crisis in the early 1980s, discovering that the singer had only $11,000 in liquid assets while the rest of his earnings were tied up in failing investments. Kief’s intervention saved Manilow from financial disaster, and their professional partnership eventually grew into a lifelong personal bond.
Their private wedding at Manilow’s Palm Springs mansion, kept under wraps until recently, has since captured global headlines. As Manilow’s publicist, Carol Marshall, remarked, “Anything about Barry generates a lot of buzz,” highlighting the public fascination with the singer’s personal and professional life.
Throughout his career, rumors about Manilow’s health and personal life were constant. Born Barry Alan Pincus on June 17, 1943, in Brooklyn, he grew up facing family challenges, including parental divorce and step-parents struggling with alcoholism. Music became his refuge. Despite these hardships, he pursued a career that would cement him as a pop culture icon.
Persistent speculation about his sexual orientation often surfaced. When asked directly, Manilow once denied being gay, pointing to his brief marriage as proof. But insiders, including friends and colleagues, knew the truth. Manilow’s early relationships with women, including his first singing partner Jeanne Lucas and TV assistant Linda Allen, were platonic.
In 1972, he began performing with Bette Midler at New York’s infamous Continental Baths, a venue known for its gay clientele. Manilow arranged Midler’s first two albums, though their working relationship was intense and often tumultuous. After parting ways with Midler in 1974, Manilow embarked on his solo career, achieving massive success with hits like “Mandy,” “Copacabana,” and “Can’t Smile Without You.”
Despite his commercial success, Manilow faced numerous health and personal challenges. He battled bronchial pneumonia in 1982, survived a cancerous tumor in his mouth in 1986, and endured various surgeries and hospitalizations throughout the 1990s and 2000s. Remarkably, these medical crises did not hinder his voice or his ability to perform.
Manilow also faced public criticism and media slights. From radio station disputes to international pranks using his music as a deterrent, he endured it all with grace and humor. Even so, his popularity remained strong, with sold-out shows and record-breaking ticket sales, proving his enduring appeal.
Today, Barry Manilow remains a beloved figure in popular music, representing the glamour and nostalgia of the 1970s with his sequined outfits, silk shirts, and iconic performances. His fans — particularly women who grew up idolizing him — continue to celebrate his artistry.
Now, having publicly acknowledged his sexuality and married Garry Kief, the man who rescued him financially and has been his partner for over 30 years, Manilow has finally embraced his personal truth. For millions of fans, he remains an unattainable icon, and in the words of his own lyrics, they “just can’t smile” without Barry Manilow — a sentiment that endures, even as he steps confidently into this new chapter of his life.