Barry Manilow’s enduring musical career has left an indelible mark on the world of pop music. With timeless hits like “Mandy”, “Copacabana (At the Copa)”, “Looks Like We Made It” and “Daybreak”, he charmed audiences across generations. Despite his iconic status as a pop legend, Manilow managed to keep a significant part of his personal life from the public eye for nearly four decades, namely his romantic relationships and marriage. Let’s delve deeper into the fascinating love story of Barry Manilow and Garry Kief, explore the intricacies of their relationship, and the reasons behind Manilow’s decision to keep it a secret.
Barry Manilow’s journey in the world of music began with the harmonious pop-rock ballad “Mandy” in 1974. The song catapulted him to stardom and marked the beginning of a career that would span seven decades. His melodic prowess and heartfelt lyrics resonated with listeners of all ages and cemented his name as a household icon. But while Manilow has openly embraced his music career and shared his talent with the world, he has chosen to protect a significant part of his personal life, especially his love life and marriage.
The story of Manilow’s love life begins with his first marriage to Susan Deixler, his high school sweetheart. Their love story began at Eastern District High School in Brooklyn, where their paths crossed for the first time. Manilow fondly described Susan as “adorable” and with “a smile that lit up a room.” Despite their connection, some of Manilow’s friends believed their decision to marry was rash.
Manilow has kept some aspects of his personal life and marriage private, despite the fact that he has been very open about his music profession. The artist kept his second marriage a private aspect of his life, revealing it to the public only in 2017. Manilow explained his decision to keep his relationship secret for nearly 40 years in April 2017.
The “It’s a Miracle” singer was temporarily married to Susan Deixler, his high school sweetheart, before marrying his mystery current longtime partner. The Express claims Manilow has been open about his first marriage. In his autobiography, “Sweet Life: Adventures on the Way to Paradise,” Manilow stated that he and Deixler met while attending Eastern District High School in Brooklyn. Plus, he said she was “adorable” and had “a smile that lit up a room.”
The musician admitted that his friends thought he got married too quickly. Nevertheless, he married Deixler in 1964; however, they divorced in 1965. Although Deixler was a great wife, the Grammy winner admitted in his autobiography that he wasn’t ready to get married and instead wanted to embark on an “amazing musical adventure.”
Many years after her marriage to Deixler, Manilow discreetly remarried. A year later, it was revealed that the singer had married Garry Kief, his longtime partner and manager, with whom he had been intimately and professionally associated for more than 40 years. In 1981, Kief was named manager of Barry Manilow Productions and president and CEO of Stiletto Entertainment.
When Manilow’s hit song “Copacabana” was released in 1978, the couple met for the first time and the singer soon realized he wanted to be with Kief. Manilow stated in 2012 that they had no plans to have children together, despite the fact that Kief has a daughter from a previous marriage. He revealed:
It wasn’t feasible. I believe I would have to choose between trying to be a father and surviving in this crazy world. And he said, “There was never a choice anyway.”
The closest Manilow got was dog breeding, which he did for “a good eight or nine weeks just with me.” Although the singer’s s*xual orientation is not well known, Patricia Butler wrote a biography of Manilow in 2001 that mentioned it.
At the time, Chris Charlesworth, the publisher, said he felt comfortable publishing the biography because “Manilow’s gayness was already known” among those working in the music business. The fact that they already knew about his s*xual orientation is also evidenced by the numerous statements of his acquaintances and colleagues in the book.
Manilow revealed his love life and s*xuality to People for the first time in 2017 after Suzanne Somers broke the story of his secret marriage to Kief. The musician revealed in an in-depth interview in Palm Springs that he is a private person. He talked about how he felt when he first saw Kief. He revealed:
“I felt like that was it. I was one of the lucky ones. I was pretty lonely before that. He’s the smartest person I’ve ever met in my life, and he’s a nice guy too,” the speaker continued.
Manilow, who was intimately involved with Kief for 39 years, explained why he hid his s*xual orientation. He was dating Linda Allen even though he was dating Kief to distract him from his true love. The musician admitted that he was always reluctant to discuss his relationship and go public. In 2015, when his s*xual orientation became public, the music legend said it was a “blessing and a curse”.
His followers were his motivation to keep quiet, he continued, because “most of all, I want them to be proud of me as a person.” He later clarified to the people:
“I believed they would be disappointed if they found out I was gay. Fortunately, I never did anything. When they found out Garry and I were dating, they were ecstatic. The response was very kind.
Besides sharing Kief’s daughter from a previous marriage, Manilow and Kief are happily married.
In conclusion, Barry Manilow and Garry Kief’s love story is not only fascinating but also a testament to the complexity of life in the public eye while navigating matters of the heart. Manilow’s journey from secrecy to openness reflects the evolving attitudes and acceptance of LGBTQ+ individuals in society. Their enduring love story serves as a source of inspiration, reminding us that love, when true and deep, can stand the test of time and societal expectations. It’s a story of courage, love, and the power of authenticity that will undoubtedly continue to resonate with fans and admirers for generations to come.