For decades, Neil Diamond was the man who gave the world its love songs — from Sweet Caroline to Hello Again. But in a surprising twist, it wasn’t until he turned 70 that the legendary singer found his own love story worthy of a song. And when it happened, it changed his life forever.
A life of music, but love still waiting
From heartbreak to hope
Neil Diamond’s career spanned over half a century, filled with sold-out tours, chart-topping albums, and lyrics that became part of the world’s romantic soundtrack. But behind the music, his personal life had seen its share of ups and downs — two marriages that ended in divorce, and years of focusing solely on his career.
As he approached his seventies, many assumed love was a closed chapter for him. Neil himself once admitted he wasn’t sure it would ever happen again.
Then came the unexpected
When love arrives unannounced
In 2011, Diamond met Katie McNeil, a film producer who was working on a documentary about him. Their professional collaboration quickly blossomed into something deeper. He described feeling like a teenager again — nervous, excited, and inspired.
Two years later, in 2012, at age 71, Neil Diamond and Katie McNeil married in Los Angeles. It wasn’t just a wedding — it was a renewal of hope, proof that the heart has no age limit.
A new muse for the music
The songs take on a new meaning
After marrying McNeil, Diamond said he finally understood some of his own lyrics in a new way. Love, this time, wasn’t just something he wrote about for others — it was something he was living every day. His later performances carried a warmth and sincerity that fans couldn’t miss.
The lesson in his story
It’s never too late
For those who grew up with Neil Diamond’s music, his late-in-life love story is a reminder that happiness doesn’t follow a schedule. Sometimes the best verses are written long after the first chorus.