Barry Manilow Comes Out As Gay At Age 73 And Even Revealed His Longtime Partner

The world of entertainment can be very glamorous but it’s also can be really hard on the artists. That’s why few can blend perfectly success and longevity. Not only due to the excess and parties but also because of the changing taste of fans. Barry Manilow is a legend since he has done and still manages to do both.

Despite being a notorious public figure Manilow has always been very close with his private life. But it seems that one of the reasons why has been revealed. At the age of 73 Manilow, has open to the world and admit he is gay.

Barry Manilow’s love history

Barry Manilow has been in the industry for so long that sometimes we forget what his real age is. Born in 1943 in Brooklyn, he knew early in his life that his first big love was music.

Then he felt in love with his high school sweetheart Susan Deixler and got married to her at 19. But their marriage lasted only one year, as Manilow pursued his musical career. “I was in love with Susan. Just not ready for marriage. I was out making music every night, sowing my wild oats. I was too young. Not ready to settle down.” Manilow said.

Since Barry really put his personal life aside from that point on as he pursued a career in music. First writing jingles to pay the bills and later arranging music for a young Bette Midler, and accompanying her. As he produced her first two albums, and after her career took off, his then followed.

As Manilow raised to fame in the 70’s, he conquered the world and the billboard lists with classic pop-rock ballads like “Mandy,” “Looks Like We Made It,” “Copacabana (At the Copa)¨ and “Can’t Smile Without You.” Then in 1978, he met Garry Kief, a TV executive at the moment. With whom Barry felt in love and will, briefly, later on, turn into his manager. Something he still does today along with being President of Barry Manilow Productions.

Coming clean with himself

“I knew that this was it. I was one of the lucky ones. It was pretty lonely before that.” Barry said. “He’s the smartest person I’ve ever met in my life and a great guy, too,” he continued. As they’ve not only been together for almost 40 years, they’re also a power couple.

Like her longtime friend Suzanne Somers has said: “There’s Barry Manilow the performer, and then there’s the Barry ‘machine.’ It takes enormous savvy and know-how to book and market complicated arena tours, choreographs promotion, directs the entire team and makes it look effortless, and that part is Garry’s domain. A major career takes two. Between them, there is enormous comfort and trust.”

Even though it hasn’t always been easy to have a rockstar boyfriend. “I got into the car with him, and [the fans] were rocking the car. He was like, ‘I can’t handle this. It’s not for me.’ I’m glad he stayed.” Manilow recalls joyfully. Also due to the sexuality topic, that caused stress and anxiety to Barry. Since he was scared of how his fans will take it.

Fans before anything else

For Barry, his fans are first, so that was why this was such a big worry for him. “I thought I would be disappointing them if they knew I was gay. So I never did anything.” But when some of the finds find out their unexpected reaction for Barry relieved him and made him extremely happy. “When they found out that Garry and I were together, they were so happy. The reaction was so beautiful. Strangers commenting, ‘Great for you!’ I’m just so grateful for it.” He said.

Manilow will release his new and 29th album called “This Is My Town: Songs Of New York” on April 21st. Even though he admits he has always been very delicate with his personal life. He has found a now hope and even stronger love for his fans after this episode. Expecting as well that they love his new music and album.