Al Pacino Reveals His One Big Regret After His On-Screen Wife Diane Keaton’s Death

A Love Story That Never Reached the Altar

The world is mourning the loss of Diane Keaton, who passed away at the age of 79. Among those most deeply affected is Al Pacino, her on-and-off partner for over 15 years, who is now confronting the one decision he wishes he could change — not marrying her when he had the chance.

Keaton and Pacino’s romance began in 1971 and lasted until 1987, intertwining their personal and professional lives in ways that made them one of Hollywood’s most iconic on-screen couples. But despite their bond, the 85-year-old Godfather star never proposed.

Eventually, Keaton gave him an ultimatum: “Marry me or else.”
And Pacino — famously independent — walked away.

“She Was the Love of His Life”

According to a close friend of Pacino’s, Diane Keaton was “the love of his life,” and he’ll forever regret not marrying her.

“For years after they split, Al used to say, ‘If it’s meant to be, it’s never too late for a do-over.’ But sadly, now it is,” the source told the Daily Mail.

While Pacino dated many women over the years, his family always came first. He split his time between New York and Los Angeles to stay close to his children, even buying a home on the West Coast to be near them.

Despite living just a few miles apart in Beverly Hills, Pacino and Keaton didn’t speak for years.

“There’s no need to talk with each other. We said everything that needed to be said at the time,” he once explained.

From “The Godfather” to Real-Life Complications

The two stars met on the set of The Godfather, where Pacino played Michael Corleone and Keaton portrayed his wife, Kay. Their on-screen chemistry carried over into real life, making them one of Hollywood’s most beloved couples of the era.

However, both valued their independence. Like Pacino, Keaton never married, though she admitted privately that she would have tied the knot if he had asked. She later adopted two children — Dexter and Duke — in her 50s.

A Complex Man and a Missed Chance

Friends say Al Pacino has always lived life on his own terms.

“He has always marched to his own drummer, and no one tells him what to do,” said one insider. “His parents divorced when he was two, and growing up without a father shaped him deeply.”

Pacino went on to have four children with three different women:

• Julie, 36, with Jan Tarrant

• Twins Anton and Olivia, 24, with Beverly D’Angelo

• A son with Noor Alfallah in 2023

But he never married any of them.

Diane Keaton’s Quiet Battle and Final Days

No cause of death has been announced, but neighbors said Keaton had not been seen walking her dog, Emma, in months. She had previously spoken about her battle with skin cancer in her youth. Her trademark hats, turtlenecks, and gloves were not just a fashion choice — they were for sun protection.

Keaton’s passing has left Hollywood in shock. Woody Allen called her “unlike anyone the planet has ever experienced,” while Pacino expressed his devastation:

“I am very sad to hear of Diane’s passing. I was very fond of her and the news of her leaving us has taken me totally by surprise. I was not expecting her to leave us,” Pacino said in a statement that moved fans worldwide.

A Regret That Will Never Fade

In her lifetime, Diane Keaton was more than an actress — she was a cultural icon, a muse, and for Al Pacino, the one that got away.

Friends say Pacino will live with the regret of not marrying her for the rest of his life. Whether he attends her funeral or not, one thing is clear: their story remains one of Hollywood’s most bittersweet love tales. 💔