Here's the thing about Barry Manilow: the legendary singer, songwriter, and performer has been cranking out hits for over five decades. From "Could It Be Magic" to "Mandy," Barry's music has touched millions. But when it comes to his personal life, things get a little more private. Barry met his husband, Garry Kief, during his peak fame years, and ever since, fans have been curious about whether the superstar ever decided to expand his family with his partner. Let's dive into Barry’s family life and uncover the details. So, what's the scoop? Keep reading to find out!
Did Barry Manilow Ever Have Kids?
Before we dive into Barry's current family, let's rewind a bit. Back in 1964, Barry tied the knot with his first wife, Susan Deixler. Their marriage, however, was short-lived, lasting only two years before they parted ways. Interestingly, this split happened just before Barry's meteoric rise to fame as a recording artist under Columbia Records. During their time together, Barry and Susan didn’t have any biological children, though Susan later went on to have two kids of her own.
Fast forward to 1978, and Barry met Garry Kief, a television producer. The two started a quiet relationship shortly after meeting, and it wasn’t long before Garry became an integral part of Barry’s life. Garry has a daughter, Kirsten Kief, from a previous marriage. Over the years, Barry embraced the role of stepdad, raising Kirsten as his own alongside Garry. Eventually, Barry and Garry officially sealed their bond in 2014, tying the knot in a private ceremony.
Read also:Transpired The Fascinating Journey Of An Underestimated Word
In a candid interview with the Chicago Sun-Times in 2017, Barry opened up about his family life, saying, “We have a daughter, Garry’s biological daughter, Kirsten, and we raised her together all these years. Garry was married with a 1-year-old daughter when we got together. Kirsten has grown into one of the most beautiful and intelligent women you’ll ever meet.” It's clear that Barry cherishes the role of stepfather and considers Kirsten an essential part of his family.
Who Is Barry’s Stepdaughter, Kirsten Kief?
Barry and Garry have kept their family life mostly private over the years, but there have been rare glimpses into their world. One of those moments came in 1999 when Barry and Kirsten stepped out together at the premiere of Cabaret. Since then, Kirsten has largely stayed out of the spotlight, focusing on her work at Barry Manilow Productions, according to the Daily Mail. Another rare red carpet appearance came in 2006 when Kirsten joined Barry at the Emmy Awards. It’s clear that Kirsten values her privacy, much like her famous stepfather.
Barry has always been clear about his desire to keep his personal life private. In a 2012 interview with The Telegraph, he explained, “I am a private guy. You can only come into my world if I invite you in. From the very beginning, that was the rule. I learned how to deal with the publicity/press thing. You just say, ‘I’m not interested in talking about [that].’ Even the names of my dogs! They are my kids, my friends are my friends and my family—they are mine. That’s the only way I can survive. I don’t want strangers knowing everything. If that happened, that would drive me crazy.”
Who Is Barry Manilow’s Grandchild?
In October 2023, Barry shared some exciting news: he and Garry became grandparents. “Garry’s daughter, Kirsten, adopted a little girl, and so I’m now a grandfather,” Barry told People. It’s a new chapter for the legendary performer, who admitted he never imagined himself in a fatherly role. “I’ve never, ever thought about having a baby or having anything to do with [being] a father or any of that,” Barry said. But now, as a proud grandpa, Barry is embracing this unexpected yet joyful addition to his family.
