How Old Were Diane Keaton's Children When She Adopted Them

Let’s talk about Diane Keaton. You know her—the Annie Hall chic, the quirky laugh, the enormous hats. But here’s the real head-scratcher: she became a mom at 50. Yes, you read that right. She adopted not one, but two kids in her fifth decade. How old were they? Get ready for a timeline that’s part comedy, part heart-string tug.

The first curveball: Daughter Dexter

In 1996, Diane adopted her first child, a daughter named Dexter. Dexter was just three days old when Diane brought her home. Yes, three days. That’s barely enough time for a newborn to figure out how to frown.

Diane was 50. Imagine changing diapers at 50 when you’re famous for wearing turtlenecks and belting out pop songs in Father of the Bride. She did it. And she called her daughter Dexter—a name more common for a skateboarding dog. Bold move.

Then came son Duke

Five years later, in 2001, Diane adopted her son, Duke. He was 15 years old at the time. Wait—15? Yes, a teenager. Diane went from diapers to driving lessons in one fell swoop. She adopted a kid who could already beat her at Scrabble.

Duke was a big brother to baby Dexter by a long stretch. He was fifteen; she was five. That’s a decade of sibling rivalry baked in from Day One. Diane later joked that she skipped the terrible twos and jumped straight to the eye-rolling teens. Smart lady.

Who are Diane Keaton's family? The two children who were adopted by

So, the age gap is weird—and wonderful

Here’s the fun part: Diane was 50 when she adopted a newborn. Then at 55, she took home a teenager. Most parents are barely surviving a toddler at 35. She was wrangling a newborn and a high-schooler at the same time. That’s not parenting—that’s a superpower.

Why this matters? Because it’s a reminder that family isn’t about matching birth years. It’s about showing up. Diane once said she didn’t want to miss out on motherhood just because she was “old.” She adopted older, younger, and everything in between. Her kids are now in their 20s and 30s. They’re fine. She’s still wearing hats the size of satellites.

A Peek into Diane Keaton's Life as a Mom After Adopting Kids at...

Quirkiest bit? She named her daughter Dexter

I’m not done with the name. Dexter is usually a boy’s name. And Diane kept it. She said she loved the sound of it. Imagine the playground: “Dexter, stop sharing your fruit snacks.” It’s weird. It’s wonderful. It’s so Diane Keaton.

And Duke? He’s named after a friend’s dog. Not kidding. She liked the dog’s name and borrowed it. That’s the kind of parenting logic that makes you snort-laugh. She adopted a kid and named him after a golden retriever. Iconic.

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The big takeaway: Age is just a number (and a good punchline)

Diane Keaton proved you don’t need a partner, a perfect plan, or a uterus to build a family. She did it at 50, with a newborn and a teen, armed with zero sleep and a wardrobe of thrift-store blazers. Her kids were three days and 15 years old when she adopted them. That’s a span of 15 years between two siblings. Talk about a built-in babysitter.

So next time you feel too old for a big change, remember Diane. She started motherhood at 50 with a baby who couldn’t hold up her own head. And then she added a teenager. If that doesn’t make you grin, check your pulse. You might be dead.