By admin 
Introduction
How Barry Manilow Kept Fans Guessing for 40 Years — And Why Michael Thornton Wasn’t Surprised
The revelation that Barry Manilow, one of the world’s most successful pop icons, has married his longtime male manager, Garry Kief, stunned legions of devoted fans. The 71-year-old singer, famous for hits like Mandy, Copacabana, and Can’t Smile Without You, tied the knot in a secret ceremony, sparking headlines worldwide. While many fans expressed heartbreak on social media — one post lamented, “my Mum can’t stop crying about Barry” — others had long suspected the truth: the tanned, disco-dancing legend was gay.
For decades, Manilow appeared to downplay or deny his sexuality, likely fearing backlash from his conservative, family-oriented fan base, which had supported his 40-year career and more than 100 million record sales. He was briefly married in 1964 to his high school sweetheart, Susan Deixler, but the union lasted only 18 months and ended in annulment, reportedly because it was never consummated.
Those in the entertainment industry, however, had considered his sexual orientation an open secret since the 1970s. Manilow and Garry Kief, now 66, have been together for more than 30 years. Kief first stepped in during a financial crisis in the early 1980s, discovering Manilow had just $11,000 in liquid assets while the rest of his fortune was tied up in failing investments. “Barry! You’re broke!” Kief reportedly exclaimed. He then took over Manilow’s management, helping rebuild both his career and finances.
The couple married quietly at Manilow’s Palm Springs estate, attended by only 20–30 guests. Their long-standing partnership has also included raising Kief’s daughter, Kirsten, from a previous marriage, who became a mother herself in 2023, making Manilow a grandfather for the first time.
Manilow’s personal life has always been shrouded in mystery. Born Barry Alan Pincus in Brooklyn on June 17, 1943, he grew up amid family instability and alcoholism, finding solace in music. Rumors of his homosexuality have followed him since early in his career. Despite occasional denials in interviews and brief high-profile relationships with women, insiders and friends often hinted otherwise.
His early career included a stint as pianist for Bette Midler at New York’s Continental Baths, a famed gay bathhouse, a period Manilow later described as “decadent, sexual, and shocking — all the things I wasn’t.” After leaving Midler in 1974, he launched his solo career, achieving fame with hits like Mandy in 1975. His rise to stardom brought wealth, adoration, and, inevitably, rumors, criticism, and health scares.
Throughout his life, Manilow faced numerous medical challenges, including severe bronchial pneumonia, a cancerous tumor in his mouth, and recurring hospitalizations for various ailments. Despite these setbacks, he maintained his singing career and survived each crisis, retaining his iconic tenor voice.
Publicly, Manilow often battled criticism, from lawsuits against radio stations to confrontations with media personalities. Yet, his popularity endured. By the 2000s, a new generation rediscovered his music, with songs like Can’t Smile Without You featured in films like Hellboy II: The Golden Army, prompting critics to ask, “When did Barry Manilow become cool?”
Even today, he draws massive crowds. His 2008 performances at London’s O2 Arena sold out so quickly that an additional show had to be added, with front-row tickets fetching hundreds of pounds. At 71, Manilow remains the nostalgic embodiment of the 1970s, glittering in silk shirts, velvet waistcoats, and sequined belts, captivating audiences across generations.
Ultimately, the revelation of his marriage marks a turning point. Fans may be surprised, but Barry Manilow’s courage to publicly embrace his truth — marrying the man who saved his career and stood by him for decades — adds a new chapter to the story of an enigmatic pop legend.
Video: Barry Manilow – Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You