Early Life and Education of Barry Manilow: A Complete Timeline

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Barry Manilow. A timeline of key moments.

Barry Manilow is a celebrated American singer-songwriter whose career has endured for over six decades. He is best known for his numerous hit songs such as "Could It Be Magic", "Looks Like We Made It", "Mandy", "I Write the Songs", "Ready to Take a Chance Again", "Can't Smile Without You", "Weekend in New England", and "Copacabana". Manilow's success has cemented his place as a prominent figure in popular music.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

June 17, 1943: Barry Manilow's Birth

On June 17, 1943, Barry Manilow, originally named Barry Alan Pincus, was born. He became an American singer and songwriter with a career spanning over sixty years.

Others born on this day/year

1961: High School Graduation

In 1961, Barry Manilow graduated from Eastern District High School in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, where he also met his future wife, Susan Deixler.

1964: Marriage to Susan Deixler

In 1964, Barry Manilow married Susan Deixler, his high school sweetheart. He later admitted that while he was in love with her, his strong desire for a music career and his immaturity placed a strain on their relationship.

December 1965: Playboy Encouragement

In December 1965, Barry Manilow credits the response he received from Playboy for giving him the courage to leave everything behind and pursue a career in music.

1966: Marriage Annulled

In 1966, Susan Deixler had her marriage to Barry Manilow annulled.

1978: Relationship with Garry Kief Begins

In 1978, Barry Manilow began a relationship with TV executive Garry Kief, who soon became his manager.

June 22, 1989: Appearance on The Tonight Show

On June 22, 1989, Barry Manilow appeared on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson to address rumors that he was engaged to porn star Robin Byrd, clarifying that they were just friends.

1989: Benefit Concert After Hurricane Hugo

In 1989, after Hurricane Hugo impacted the Charleston, South Carolina area, Barry Manilow held a benefit concert at the University of South Carolina's Carolina Coliseum in Columbia. He also asked concertgoers to bring canned food for residents in disaster areas, and Mayor T. Patton Adams declared it "Barry Manilow Day."

2005: Hurricane Katrina Relief Efforts

In 2005, to help after Hurricane Katrina, Barry Manilow personally matched every dollar donated to the American Red Cross through the Manilow Fund for Health and Hope website, tripling the original donation. The fund delivered $150,000 to the American Red Cross.

June 2006: Music Used to Deter Youths in Australia

In June 2006, Australian officials blasted Barry Manilow's music to deter gangs of youths from congregating in a residential area late at night.

October 27, 2011: Contribution to Joplin, Missouri After Tornado

On October 27, 2011, Barry Manilow visited Joplin, Missouri, and his Manilow Music Project made a contribution of $300,000 to restore the musical program and instruments lost after a tornado destroyed a significant portion of the city.

2014: Marriage to Garry Kief

In 2014, Barry Manilow married Garry Kief after same-sex marriage became legal in California. They kept their relationship and his sexual orientation private.

2015: Marriage Made Headlines

In 2015, the media reported Barry Manilow's marriage to Garry Kief after Suzanne Somers disclosed that the two men had privately exchanged vows.

April 2017: Manilow Comes Out as Gay

In April 2017, Barry Manilow officially came out as gay and shared that his fans were supportive of his marriage to Garry Kief.

2017: Coming Out as Gay

In 2017, Barry Manilow came out as gay and stated that he had been in love with Susan Deixler, and the failure of their marriage was not related to his sexual orientation.

December 22, 2025: Diagnosis of Lung Cancer

On December 22, 2025, Barry Manilow, who had been a smoker from age 9 to 39, announced that he had been diagnosed with early-stage lung cancer, which would require surgery.