Al Pacino has paid a touching tribute to his on- and off-screen girlfriend Diane Keaton after her family revealed she died of pneumonia.
The 85-year-old actor said he was shaken by her death and reflected on how she changed his life.
Pacino co-starred with Keaton in The Godfather trilogy and they dated on and off for nearly 20 years.
“When I first heard the news, I was shaken,” he wrote in an essay for Deadline, saying he was “deeply saddened” by Keaton’s death. “Diane was my partner, my friend, and the person who brought me happiness and influenced the direction of my life many times.”
“Although it has been more than 30 years since we were together, the memories remain vivid, and with her passing they have returned with a power that is both painful and moving,” he continued.
The Scent of a Woman actor praised her “undeniable energy” and reflected on how she opened doors and served as an inspiration to others.
“People will miss her, but more than that, they will remember her,” he said. “She left an indelible mark. She was unstoppable, resilient, and above all, deeply human.”
“I will always remember her. She could fly, and in my heart she will always fly,” he concluded.
In a statement to People magazine, Keaton’s family revealed that he died of pneumonia on October 11th. She was 79 years old.
Keaton and Pacino began dating in 1974, but ended their relationship in 1990 after Keaton gave Pacino an ultimatum and Pacino refused to promise to marry him.
After Keaton’s death, sources told the Daily Mail that Pacino should have married the late actress.
“He will forever regret not taking the decision when he had the chance,” a friend of the legendary actor told the magazine. “In the years since he and Diane broke up, Al used to say, ‘It’s never too late to start over, if you want to.’ Unfortunately, that’s now the case.”
“Looking back, Al admits that the love of his life was Diane, whom he always called ‘an amazing woman,'” the friend added.
The two continued to support each other even after their breakup.
Pacino made a rare public appearance in 2017 at the 45th AFI Lifetime Achievement Tribute honoring Keaton.
“You’re an artist, Di,” he told her during his speech. “You are an amazing artist.…I love you forever.”
