Diane Keaton’s family thank fans for their support and reveal her cause of death

Diane Keaton’s family have thanked her fans for their outpouring of “love and support” following the actress’ death at the age of 79. They also revealed her official cause of death.

The Oscar winner, who died on Saturday, quietly battled ill health for several months, and news of her death sent shockwaves throughout Hollywood.

In a statement to People magazine, Keaton’s family revealed that the acting icon died of pneumonia - an inflammation of the lungs, usually caused by an infection.

“The Keaton family are very grateful for the extraordinary messages of love and support they have received these past few days on behalf of their beloved Diane, who passed away from pneumonia on October 11.”

They added: “She loved her animals and she was steadfast in her support of the unhoused community, so any donations in her memory to a local food bank or an animal shelter would be a wonderful and much appreciated tribute to her.”

Keaton’s career spanned almost 60 years. From her breakthrough role in Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather in 1972 to Oscar triumph in Woody Allen’s Annie Hall, Keaton’s presence on the big screen was cherished. She gave audiences classics like Marvin’s Room, Father of the Bride, The First Wives Club and Something’s Gotta Give.

Keaton is survived by her two sisters Dorrie and Robin, and her two children, Dexter and Duke, whom she adopted in 1996 and 2001.