Barry Manilow has proven an infectious and loveable singer over the course of his career, one capable of creating songs virtually the whole world can’t help but sing.
Thanks to The Mandy and Copacabana (At the Copa), he reached worldwide fame in the 1970s, even if critics didn’t think he was actually that good in the beginning.
It turned out Manilow carried a huge secret for a large chunk of his life – he came out as gay at 73. As of today, though, he is happier than ever, and lives his best life alongside his husband, Garry, and his daughter.
Now, though Manilow has been a heartthrob for many people worldwide, there are those who have also speculated whether or not he’s undergone plastic surgery. Well, the 78-year-old Brooklyn native isn’t afraid to telling the truth.
Here’s all you need to know about Barry Manilow – and how he looks today.Barry Manilow was born in on June 17, 1943 in Brooklyn, New York. His grandparents were Russian immigrants – Barry is, in fact, also half-Irish as his father, Harold comes from Ireland.
That, however, was something he was taught not to talk about at a young age.
“The fact that Harold was an Irish truck driver was hidden from the family,” Barry told the Irish Independent.
“It was considered a terrible thing for my mother to have done. They wouldn’t even allow my name to be Kelliher. They changed it immediately.”
Barry Manilow – net worth, husband, children
Years before Barry’s big break, he and his wife Susan Diexen divorced. They were married only two years before he walked out on what he said was “the perfect wife” to pursue “this wondrous musical adventure.”
Manilow’s career spans decades – the longtime artist still performs today. He is said to have a net worth of around $100 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
However, he did not walk unburdened. It turned out, Barry kept a big secret for large parts of his adult life. Finally, in 2017 – at 73 years of age – Manilow came out as gay. This was undoubtedly a courageous decision, especially given his age. At the time, he already had a partner in Garry Kief.
In 2014, the two married at their Palm Springs estate. According to The Sun, it was such a big secret that even the guests didn’t know they were to attend their wedding.
According to reports, Barry and Garry met for the first time back in 1978. Today, he is the president of Barry Manilow Productions, and also functions as Barry’s manager.
“I knew that this was it,” Barry recalled of meeting Garry for the first time. “I was one of the lucky ones, I was pretty lonely before that.”
Coming out as gay wasn’t an easy decision Barry. He feared that it would’ve harmed his career if he’d come out earlier, and that it would “disappoint” his fans, especially the female ones.
“People just wanted me to be happy”
However, it turned out to be the complete opposite.
“Well if I had done it much earlier, I think it would have affected my career a lot. But by the time Garry and I decided to do it, being gay and being alive was accepted, so nothing changed,” Barry explained.
“Nothing’s changed. The only thing that is different is people are very happy for me,” he added.
“People just wanted me to be happy and when I said I had someone in my life, they were happy for me and there was no negativity and all. I kind of expected that and these people are great, it’s great.”
Besides sharing his life with his beloved Garry, Manilow also got the pleasure of helping raise his husband’s biological daughter, Kristen.
As for their private life, some might argue that having your partner as a manager might be risky for a relationship. Barry and Garry, though, make it work.
“That’s the miracle of this relationship. It’s a relationship built on respect, and we’ve never bumped heads about anything,” Manilow said.
“Garry’s the smartest guy I’ve ever met. He’s a great manager. He takes care of my career on the business level, and I take care of the music, and we plan out what we want to do together. It’s about two guys who made it through 40 years.“Maybe [coming out] will make people feel good. Maybe it will inspire some young people that they can do it, too. [Ours] has been a very positive love story. We’re still talking to each other!”
Over the years, Barry has also drawn attention due to a matter entirely separate to his music or private life.
Barry Manilow – plastic surgery & botox
It’s been reported and speculated numerous times that Manilow has had facelifts and eye surgery, as well as Botox injections to firm up his face. In an interview with the Irish Independent, he confirmed that was indeed the case.
Barry said that he had undergone a procedure to get rid of his jowls, “But they came right back. That kind of stuff doesn’t last. Then many years ago, all of LA was running for Botox, and I did too. I gave it a try, but I just didn’t like it. It didn’t look right for me.”
In 2011, plastic surgeon Said Youn said that he thought Manilow had had “too much work” on his face. On the other hand, Barry says it’s “ridiculous” to think he’s the “Joan Rivers of the guys.” One explanation, he says, is that he has undergone several surgeries, which has affected his face.
“I’ve had this nasty hip problem for the last ten years,” he said. “I’ve had three surgeries, the last one four months ago. I didn’t want to limp out on stage at the Grammys, and the only way I got any relief was by steroid shots right into my hips. But then your face blows up and looks odd.”
Barry appeared on the British morning show This Morning just days ago and he was almost unrecognizable. But how can he look so youthful?
“It’s luck, it’s just blind luck,” Barry said, laughing.
“I’m really very old, please let’s not talk about it. It’s really depressing.”
Barry Manilow is a true legend – and he should be praised for his courage in coming out as gay so late in his life. Please, share this article on Facebook with friends and family to honor him!