“The Unexpected Woman Who Changed Everything for Neil Diamond”

The Unexpected Woman Who Changed Everything for Neil Diamond

For decades, Neil Diamond was known not only for his string of timeless hits like “Sweet Caroline” and “Hello Again,” but also for his intense privacy when it came to personal matters. That’s why it surprised many fans in 2012 when he quietly married Katie McNeil, a woman 29 years younger than him—and his manager.

At the time of their marriage, Diamond was 71 and McNeil was 42. Their love story began in a professional setting—McNeil had been working as a video producer and manager at his record label. But what started as work soon turned into something much more meaningful. “Katie makes me feel young again,” Diamond once said in an interview. “She inspires me, challenges me, and brings so much joy into my life.”

This marriage came after two previous ones: his first with high school sweetheart Jaye Posner, with whom he had two daughters, and his second with Marcia Murphey, a production assistant, with whom he had two sons. His divorce from Murphey was one of the most expensive in showbiz at the time.

Despite the age gap, Neil and Katie’s relationship has defied public doubts. She stood by his side through his Parkinson’s diagnosis in 2018, a time when Diamond had to step away from touring. In many ways, Katie became not just his wife, but also his rock and caregiver.

Their story reminds fans that love isn’t always conventional, but when it’s real—it’s powerful.