The Barry Manilow Garry Kief Wedding: What Really Happened at That Palm Springs Lunch

You’ve probably heard the name Barry Manilow and immediately thought of "Mandy," "Copacabana," or maybe those bright, flashy suits from the 70s. But for decades, while the world was singing along to his hits, Manilow was living a very different, very quiet life behind the scenes.

Then came the news that shook the Fanilows.

In April 2014, the Barry Manilow Garry Kief wedding actually happened. It wasn't a media circus. There were no paparazzi drones. Honestly, most of the people who were actually there didn't even know they were attending a wedding until they walked through the front door.

The Surprise "Lunch" That Changed Everything

Imagine getting an invite to a casual lunch at a multi-million dollar estate in Palm Springs. You show up in your desert-casual attire, expecting some chilled wine and maybe some catering. Instead, you find out your host—one of the biggest pop stars in history—is about to marry his partner of nearly 40 years.

That is exactly how it went down.

The couple invited about 20 to 30 of their closest friends and family members to Manilow’s secluded Palm Springs home. They didn't put "Wedding" on the envelope. They didn't even tell their families. The guests arrived for a "luncheon," and once everyone was gathered, the surprise was revealed.

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It was intimate. It was emotional. And it was incredibly private.

Who is Garry Kief?

If you aren't deep into the industry side of music, the name Garry Kief might not ring a bell. But to Barry, he was everything. Kief is a TV executive and has been Manilow’s manager for decades.

They met back in 1978. Manilow has gone on record saying that as soon as he met Garry, he knew "this was it." Before that, the singer admits he was pretty lonely, despite the fame. Kief didn't just manage the "Copacabana" singer's career; he basically saved his life during the chaotic rise to superstardom.

Why the Secrecy?

You might wonder why a couple that had been together since the late 70s waited until 2014 to tie the knot—and why they kept it a secret for another year after that.

The truth is a mix of old-school Hollywood privacy and a genuine fear of the public’s reaction. Manilow was a massive heartthrob in his prime. He had millions of female fans, and for a long time, he was worried that coming out as gay would "disappoint" them. It’s a classic story for performers of his generation. You keep the personal life behind a curtain so the fantasy can live on for the audience.

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• The Fear: Disappointing a global fanbase that saw him as a romantic idol.
• The Reality: When the news of the Barry Manilow Garry Kief wedding finally broke in 2015 via the National Enquirer and People, the reaction wasn't anger. It was love.
• The Support: Fans were actually happy that he wasn't alone.

Interestingly, the couple didn't even sign formal legal paperwork at the time of the ceremony. They exchanged rings and made their commitment in front of their inner circle, but they skipped the courthouse filings initially to keep the news from leaking.

A Best Man You’d Recognize

If you’re looking for celebrity cameos, this wedding had a big one. Suzanne Somers, the late Three’s Company star and a longtime neighbor of Barry in Palm Springs, reportedly served as the "best man" (or best person) for the ceremony.

The proceedings were officiated by Marc Hulett, who had been Barry’s assistant since the 1980s. He reportedly registered online to become a minister just for the occasion.

It wasn't about the glitz. It was about the people who had been in the trenches with them for forty years.

Living Life After the Announcement

Manilow didn't officially "come out" in a major magazine cover story until 2017, three years after the wedding. He told People magazine that he was "so grateful" for the beautiful reaction from strangers.

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"I thought I would be disappointing them if they knew I was gay. So I never did anything," he admitted. Turns out, the Fanilows just wanted him to be happy.

Today, the couple still lives in Palm Springs. They still work together. Garry is still the smart guy running the show, and Barry is still the guy who writes the songs that make the whole world sing. They even joke about the secret to their long-term success. Barry once told an interviewer the secret to a 40-year relationship is "separate bathrooms."

Kinda makes sense, right?

What We Can Learn From the Manilow-Kief Union

The Barry Manilow Garry Kief wedding isn't just a bit of celebrity gossip. It's actually a pretty profound look at how much the world changed between 1978 and today.

1. Privacy is a choice. Even in the age of social media, you can keep a secret if you have a loyal circle.
2. Timing is personal. You don't owe the world your personal milestones on their schedule.
3. Authenticity wins. The fear of "disappointing" people is often much bigger in our heads than it is in reality.

If you’re looking to follow in their footsteps—maybe not the "secret pop star" part, but the "long-term happiness" part—focus on building a partnership that functions as a team. Whether you’re managing a world tour or just managing the grocery list, having someone who "saves your life" in the quiet moments is what actually matters.

Check out Barry's newer work or his residency dates if you want to see the man in his element. He's still performing, still hitting those high notes, and now, he's doing it with the weight of a forty-year secret finally off his shoulders.