It was announced this weekend that actor Diane Keaton died at the age of 79 after an award-winning acting career, but her health had rapidly declined

The actress won and Oscar and starred in major films including The Godfather trilogy(Getty)

Oscar-winning Diane Keaton’s health declined rapidly before her death at 79, it has been reported. It was announced on Saturday that the award-winning actor had died in California.

It has since been reported that the star’s health declined at a rapid rate in the last few months before she died. More details about Diane’s death have since emerged, with a friend reportedly saying that her death was “unexpected”.

The actress was best known for her work in films such as The Godfather, Annie Hall, The First Wives Club, and Something’s Got To Give. She also worked with director Nancy Meyers multiple times on projects like the Book Club series.

Diane died aged 79(Getty Images for Turner)

She received numerous awards throughout her career, including an Oscar, a BAFTA, Golden Globe Awards and nominations for two Emmy Awards and a Tony Award. The late actress was romantically involved with Hollywood stars like Woody Allen, her Godfather co-star Al Pacino and Warren Beatty.

More details surrounding Diane’s health in recent months have been emerging. A friend of Diane’s told PEOPLE Magazine: “She declined very suddenly, which was heartbreaking for everyone who loved her. It was so unexpected, especially for someone with such strength and spirit.”

The source added: “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.”

The star bravely opened up about her battle with bulimia back in 2014, as she described it as “the lowest point in [her] life”.

Behind the scenes, the A-lister was sadly dealing with body image issues and mental health struggles since her twenties. During a candid chat on The Dr Oz Show, Keaton confessed that she would consume a staggering 20,000 calories daily during the height of her bulimia battle.

She explained what she would have for a typical evening meal, which would consist of “a bucket of fried chicken, several orders of fries with blue cheese and ketchup, a couple of TV dinners, a quarter of soda, pounds of candy, a whole cake, and three banana cream pies.”

According to People magazine, Diane’s eating disorder began after the director of the Broadway show Hair offered Keaton the lead role on the condition that she lose weight.

Diane managed to conquer her bulimia, but in a 2020 interview with The Sydney Morning Herald, the celebrity confessed that even as she grew older, she didn’t feel “secure” in herself.

On the subject of ageing, she sadly expressed: “I don’t think it gets easier as you get older. I think it gets more pressing, just because it’s really about death. It’s really like approaching it, and how do you approach that part of your life? Nobody wants that.”