Honestly, it’s the kind of story that sounds like a Hollywood script, except it took nearly half a century to reach the final scene. For decades, Barry Manilow was the undisputed king of the romantic ballad, the man who made millions of women swoon with a single high note in "Mandy." But behind the sequins and the massive stage productions at the Westgate in Vegas, there was a partnership so solid it basically defied the gravity of show business.
That partnership? Garry Kief.
If you’ve been paying attention lately, you know they aren’t just "business associates." They’re husbands. But the way they got there—and why it took until 2017 for Barry to say the words "I’m gay" to a reporter—is a lot more nuanced than just "he was scared of his fans." It’s a story about survival, a massive management empire called Stiletto Entertainment, and a level of loyalty you just don’t see in the industry anymore.
The 1978 Meeting That Changed Everything
Barry was lonely. That's how he describes the era right before he met Garry. By 1978, Barry Manilow was a household name. He was the guy who wrote the songs the whole world sang. But he was also a guy living in a bubble of superstardom that felt increasingly isolating.
Then came Garry.
Garry Kief wasn't some wide-eyed fan or a sycophant looking for a piece of the pie. In fact, he didn't even really know what Barry did for a living when they first met. Imagine that. You’re the biggest pop star on the planet, and you meet a guy who just sees you. "He was a guy, and I was a guy," Barry famously told People. That normalcy was the hook.
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But Garry wasn't just a romantic interest; he was a shark in the best possible way. He stepped into the role of manager almost immediately. Before Garry, Barry’s finances were, frankly, a mess. There’s a story about Barry once having only $11,000 to his name despite selling millions of records. Garry changed that. He founded Stiletto Entertainment and turned "Barry Manilow" from a singer into a global brand that has lasted through the 70s, 80s, 90s, and straight into 2026.
The "Secret" Marriage in Palm Springs
Fast forward through nearly 40 years of touring, recording, and living together. They were a team. Everyone in their inner circle knew. Their neighbor, the late Suzanne Somers, knew. Their employees knew. But the public? The public had an image of Barry as the ultimate romantic lead for women.
In April 2014, they finally made it legal.
They didn't call it a wedding. They invited 20 to 30 close friends to their 53-acre estate in Palm Springs for "lunch." Then, they surprised everyone by exchanging vows. There was no big press release. No People magazine exclusive—yet. They just wanted to be married.
Barry admitted later that he didn't think it would be that emotional. But looking at the man who had basically saved his life and his career for four decades and saying "I love you" in front of their friends? It hit him harder than he expected.
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Why Did He Wait Until 2017 to Come Out?
This is the part that people always get wrong. It wasn't just about being "closeted" in the way we think of it today. You have to remember the climate of the 1970s and 80s. Back then, if a male pop star came out, the industry assumed his career was dead. Done. Finished.
Barry’s fan base—the "Fanilows"—was largely female. He genuinely worried that if he came out, he would be disappointing them. He thought he would be breaking a promise or shattering an illusion they needed.
"I thought I would be disappointing them if they knew I was gay. So I never did anything."
When the news finally broke in 2017, the reaction was the exact opposite of what he feared. People didn't just accept it; they celebrated it. Strangers were coming up to him on the street saying, "Good for you!" It turns out, his fans just wanted him to be happy. They’d known he was a romantic soul all along; they just didn't care who he was being romantic with.
Life in 2026: The Legacy of Stiletto and Beyond
As of early 2026, the duo is still a powerhouse. Garry Kief remains the President and CEO of Stiletto Entertainment. He’s not just "Barry’s husband." He’s the guy who oversees everything from the Manilow Music Project—which puts instruments in the hands of school kids—to Barry’s massive residency at the Westgate Resort & Casino.
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They also raised a daughter together. Garry had a daughter, Kirsten, who was only a year old when he and Barry met. They raised her as a team, and recently, they even became grandparents.
It’s a life well-lived, even if it was lived in the shadows for a long time.
What We Can Learn From the Manilow-Kief Dynamic
- Loyalty is a Business Strategy: Garry and Barry have been together longer than most marriages in or out of Hollywood. Their professional trust is the foundation of Barry’s $100+ million empire.
- Authenticity Doesn't Have a Deadline: Coming out at 73 didn't make Barry "late." It made him ready.
- Private vs. Secret: There’s a huge difference. They were never really "secret" to the people who mattered. They were just private, protecting a relationship that was too precious to be chewed up by the 1980s tabloid machine.
If you’re looking for a takeaway, it’s basically this: find someone who looks at you the way Barry looks at Garry from the stage—and someone who handles the contracts so you can just keep singing.
Actionable Insight: If you're following the career of a legacy artist, look at their management. Often, the reason for their longevity isn't just their talent; it’s the "Garry Kief" in their life—the person who creates a safe harbor so the artist can actually create. Support the artists who value long-term stability over short-term PR stunts.