The world is mourning the loss of Diane Keaton, the Oscar-winning actress whose warmth, wit, and individuality defined Hollywood for over five decades.

The 79-year-old legend passed away on October 11 after what sources described as a heartbreaking health battle that took a sudden turn in her final days.

As loved ones speak out, new details are emerging about the illness that claimed her life and the private struggle she faced in silence.

In a touching statement shared with PEOPLE, Keaton’s family confirmed that the Hollywood icon passed away from pneumonia.

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“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,” the statement read.

In that same message, they urged fans to consider honoring her by donating to causes close to her heart. “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,” the family noted.

A longtime friend told TMZ that the “Something’s Gotta Give” actress had been ill for a while, though she chose to keep her struggles private.

Her condition reportedly worsened earlier this year, just months after her Los Angeles home was damaged by January’s wildfires.

She relocated temporarily to Palm Springs, where she was said to be recovering and keeping a low profile.

Close friend Carole Bayer Sager recalled visiting her recently and noticing a visible change.

“I saw her two or three weeks ago, and she was very thin,” Sager shared. “She had lost so much weight.”

In her last moments, Keaton was not alone. On the morning of October 11, a 911 call was placed from her Los Angeles home after she became unresponsive.

According to reports, emergency responders arrived within minutes and rushed her to a nearby hospital, where she was later pronounced dead. Those close to the family say she was surrounded by loved ones.

“In her final months, she was surrounded only by her closest family, who chose to keep things very private. Even longtime friends weren’t fully aware of what was happening,” a source shared.

From her early days on stage to her rise in 1970s cinema, Diane Keaton shaped the modern idea of a leading lady.

Her role as Kay Adams in “The Godfather” trilogy brought her global fame, but it was her performance in “Annie Hall” that earned her an Academy Award and solidified her as a Hollywood icon.

Over the decades, the star became known for her mix of humor and sincerity in films like “The First Wives Club,” “Something’s Gotta Give,” “Baby Boom,” and “Father of the Bride.”

She also lent her voice to “Finding Dory” and starred in “Book Club” and “Poms,” bringing warmth and intelligence to every project.

Beyond acting, she also directed films, produced documentaries, and wrote memoirs that reflected her humor and honesty.

To her fans, the legend wasn’t just a performer, she was a personality, a symbol of independence and authenticity.

Keaton played many romantic roles during her time in Hollywood. However, the movie star never tied the knot in real life.

In a 2019 interview with PEOPLE, she said proudly, “I’m really glad I didn’t get married. I’m an oddball. I remember in high school, this guy came up to me and said, ‘One day you’re going to make a good wife.’ And I thought, ‘I don’t want to be a wife. No.’”

Instead, she built her family in her own way, adopting her daughter Dexter in 1996 and her son Duke in 2001, decisions that she often called her “greatest joys.”

In the wake of her passing, reports revealed that her former boyfriend and longtime co-star, Al Pacino, reportedly harbored lifelong regrets of not marrying the star when he had the chance.

According to a source, the actor always believed Keaton was the “love of his life” and “an amazing woman.”

“I know he will forever regret he didn’t make his move when he had the chance,” the insider added per the Daily Mail.