Diane Keaton adopted her daughter, Dexter, when she was 50, and her son, Duke, five years later, at 55. Keaton described motherhood as humbling and adopting Dexter as the best decision of her life. Public information about Dexter and Duke as adults is limited: a 2023 profile reported that Dexter had married and Duke had moved into his own place.
Why Diane Keaton chose to become a mother
Keaton discussed her decision to adopt in a 2003 interview with CBS News. She said her father was ill and died, a relationship had ended, and she found herself considering what she wanted to do with the rest of her life. Parenting, she said, changed her perspective: “To raise a child is the most humbling experience in life. Bar none, OK?”
Keaton later summed up what adopting Dexter meant to her in an excerpt from her memoir, Then Again: “The choice to adopt Dexter was the best decision in my life.” She added, “It opened up new possibilities with regards to love.”
When Keaton adopted Dexter and Duke
In a 2011 interview with Diane Rehm, Keaton said she adopted Dexter at 50 and Duke at 55. Keaton also recalled wanting Dexter to have someone to experience growing up with her.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
#1 Best Overall
- Own 10 hilarious Woody Allen classics. All Brand New on Blu-ray.
In that same interview, Keaton mentioned Dexter’s swimming and Duke’s interest in tennis. These were childhood-era details shared in 2011, not descriptions of their activities as adults. An excerpt from Keaton’s memoir likewise recalls the children as 16 and 11 at the time of the interview; those are historical ages, not current ones.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What has been reported about Dexter and Duke as adults
A 2023 AARP profile reported that Dexter had married and Duke had moved into his own place as Keaton’s household changed. That is a dated snapshot from the profile, not confirmation of their circumstances today.
Rank #2
- Warren Beatty, Diane Keaton, Jack Nicholson
In its 2025 obituary, the Associated Press reported that Keaton was survived by her two adopted children, Dexter and Duke. Beyond those reports, the cited public accounts provide little detail about their adult lives. Their privacy is a reason to avoid treating childhood anecdotes or brief milestone reports as a fuller portrait.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Own 10 hilarious Woody Allen classics. All Brand New on Blu-ray.
Rank #3
- Diane's only documentary mixes clips of how Hollywood has depicted Heaven with interviews focusing on what Heaven might be really like.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Recommended Free Tools
