Barry Manilow, the iconic figure of the soft rock genre, is making headlines with his much-anticipated special, A Very Barry Christmas. This one-hour program showcases some of Manilow’s most beloved hits, including “Copacabana” and “Mandy,” along with a selection of festive classics. As a result, renewed interest in Barry Manilow’s personal life has emerged, particularly regarding his husband. Who is this celebrated 81-year-old artist married to?
Here’s everything you need to know about Manilow and his current spouse.
Who is Barry Manilow married to?
Barry Manilow is happily married to his long-time partner Garry Kief.
This news came as a surprise to many, as Manilow was previously married to his high-school sweetheart, Susan Deixler. However, they ended their marriage in 1966, and Manilow publicly came out in 2017. Despite the twists and turns in his romantic life, Manilow and Garry Kief have remained a steadfast couple ever since they first met.
What does Garry Kief do?
Like the legendary musician, Barry Manilow’s husband, Garry Kief, is also entrenched in the entertainment industry.
Garry Kief serves as Manilow’s manager, a role he took on after their initial meeting. An alumnus of the University of California, he has been the President and CEO of Stiletto Entertainment since 1981, where he has managed talents such as Matt Dusk and Lorna Luft. Additionally, Kief is a trustee of the Judy Garland Heirs Trust.
The love story of Barry Manilow and Garry Kief
Barry Manilow first crossed paths with Garry Kief in 1978.
Reflecting on their first encounter in a 2017 interview, Manilow expressed, “I knew that this was it. I was one of the lucky ones. I was pretty lonely before that.” After years of companionship, the couple tied the knot in April 2014 at their private residence in Palm Springs, California, with a small gathering of 20 to 30 guests.
At the time of their meeting, Garry Kief had a one-year-old daughter named Kirsten from a prior marriage. Together, the couple has embraced parenthood, and in 2023, they celebrated becoming grandparents for the first time after Kirsten welcomed a child through adoption.