Susan Deixler: Barry Manilow’s First Wife, Family, and Life After Their Marriage

Susan Deixler is best known as the first wife of famous American singer Barry Manilow. Their love story began when they were young students in Brooklyn, New York. They married in 1964, long before Manilow became a music star. However, their marriage lasted only a short time. After they separated, Susan chose a different path.

She stayed away from Hollywood, became a mother of two, and spent many years helping older people in California. Her life shows that a person can make a real difference without being famous. Susan’s story is not only about her past marriage. It is also about family, hard work, kindness, and service to others. This article looks at her childhood, marriage, children, career, and the life she built after leaving the public eye.

Who Is Susan Deixler?

Susan Deixler is an American woman who was once married to Barry Manilow. He later became a famous singer with popular songs such as “Mandy,” “Copacabana,” and “Can’t Smile Without You.” Susan knew him before his music made him a star. Their marriage became an important part of his early life story.

Yet Susan never tried to build a career from that connection. She chose a quiet life and spent much of her adult life caring for others. In March 2024, Marin County honored her for 30 years of service to older people. This shows that her life has a story worth telling beyond her first marriage.

Susan Deixler’s Early Life and Childhood

Susan Deixler grew up in New York and attended Eastern District High School in Brooklyn. Her parents were Al Deixler and Nettie Deixler. Reports about her school days describe her as a friendly and active student. She took part in many school groups and enjoyed meeting people. During her senior year, she served as student government president.

She also joined the school chorus, bowling club, and other activities. Swimming and music were part of her interests. These early years show that Susan enjoyed both school life and working with other people. Her exact birthday has not been confirmed in reliable public records.

How Did Susan Deixler Meet Barry Manilow?

Susan Deixler met Barry Manilow at Eastern District High School. At that time, Barry was known as Barry Pincus. He was a young student who loved music and wanted to build a career in that field. Susan was about a year behind him at school. Their friendship soon grew into a romantic relationship.

They became high school sweethearts and spent time together before Barry entered the music world. Susan also had an interest in music and had taken piano lessons. She supported his musical goals during their early relationship. Neither of them knew how much their lives would change in the years ahead.

Susan Deixler and Barry Manilow’s Marriage in 1964

Susan Deixler married Barry Manilow in 1964. She was about 19 years old, while Barry was around 20. Their first wedding took place at New York City Hall. The young couple wanted to begin their married life, but their families had different ideas about the wedding. Reports say that Susan’s parents wanted a larger celebration.

Barry’s family was worried about the cost. The couple later took part in other wedding ceremonies and family events. Some reports describe several ceremonies before both families were satisfied. Although the beginning of their marriage was full of excitement, they soon faced problems that neither had expected.

Why Did Barry Manilow and Susan Deixler Separate?

Susan Deixler and Barry Manilow separated after about one year of marriage. Their marriage was later annulled in 1966. Barry was still young and wanted to spend more time building his music career. He worked hard and spent many nights making music. This made it difficult for him to settle into married life.

In a 2017 interview with People magazine, Manilow explained that he had loved Susan but was not ready for marriage. His words showed that he looked back on their relationship with care, even though it did not last. Their separation happened before his greatest music success, and Susan later moved forward with her own life.

Did Barry Manilow’s Sexuality End Their Marriage?

Barry Manilow publicly discussed being gay in 2017. His announcement brought new interest in his early marriage to Susan Deixler. However, Manilow said their marriage did not end because of his sexuality. He explained that he loved Susan and was too young to handle married life at the time.

His music career was also taking much of his attention. In later interviews, he continued to speak about how private he had been with his personal life. It is important to use his own explanation rather than guess about the reasons for their separation. Both Susan and Barry later chose different paths.

Susan Deixler’s Life After Barry Manilow

After her marriage ended, Susan Deixler stayed mostly away from the news and entertainment world. While Barry became famous around the world, Susan built a different kind of life. She settled in California and became part of the West Marin community. Her daily life focused on family, neighbors, and helping people who needed care.

She did not seek fame or give many interviews about her former husband. In 2015, she made it clear that the marriage was part of her distant past. Her later work in senior care also shows that she had built a life with its own purpose. She became known in her community for being helpful and kind.

Did Susan Deixler Have Children?

Yes, Susan Deixler became a mother of two children after her marriage to Barry Manilow ended. Reports describe her as having a son and a daughter. Her children are not known to be Barry Manilow’s children. Susan has kept most details about her family away from the public.

This has helped her children live outside the attention that often comes with famous families. When Susan spoke to reporters in 2015, she said she had children and a life of her own. Her comments made it clear that she had moved on from her short marriage many years earlier. She wanted people to respect her private family life.

Susan Deixler’s Career in West Marin

One of the most important parts of Susan Deixler’s life is her work with older people. She spent about 30 years with West Marin Senior Services in California. She first became involved as a volunteer and later worked as a senior care manager for about 20 years. Her job was to help older adults live safely and get the services they needed.

Some people needed rides to doctors. Others needed meals, medical supplies, or help at home. Susan worked with families, care workers, and local groups to find answers to these problems. Her work was especially important in rural places where stores, hospitals, and other services could be far away.

How Susan Deixler Helped Older People

Susan Deixler did more than arrange care for older adults. She also spent time listening to them and learning about their problems. Some of the people she helped lived alone or had little family support nearby. Others wanted to stay in their own homes but needed help with daily tasks.

Susan helped them find useful services while also respecting their wishes. According to West Marin Senior Services, she sometimes visited people at home and checked on them by phone. She also used animal visits to help people feel more comfortable. Her work helped many older adults feel less alone and more connected to their community.

Susan Deixler and the Senior Swim Program

Susan Deixler also helped create a special program for older adults who wanted to enjoy the beach. The program took place at Heart’s Desire Beach near Tomales Bay in California. It gave older people a chance to swim, move gently, relax, and spend time with others. Volunteers helped make the trips possible.

Some people enjoyed the water, while others were happy to sit outside and talk with friends. The program was especially useful for those who could not visit the beach alone. Marin County’s 2024 recognition said that the swim program had been active for 18 years. It became one of Susan’s lasting contributions to the area.

Her Work With Food and Community Support

Food was another area where Susan Deixler helped people in need. She worked with local volunteers and community groups to provide extra food for older adults attending shared meals. The food table offered items such as fresh fruit, vegetables, dairy products, and foods rich in protein.

This gave people more choices and helped them bring useful food home. Susan also worked with nursing students from Dominican University, helping them learn about the needs of older people in rural areas. She supported local emergency planning and spoke up for people who needed help. These activities show how much of her time she gave to making life easier for others.

Susan Deixler’s Retirement in 2024

Susan Deixler received an important honor in March 2024. The Marin County Board of Supervisors recognized her retirement and her long record of community service. The county praised her work with older adults, families, and care groups. It also recognized the programs she helped create over three decades.

A report in the local newspaper, the Point Reyes Light, described how much Susan enjoyed helping people. Her work gave her a chance to meet others, learn new things, and make a difference in their lives. Her retirement brought attention to a career that had been important to many people, even though it took place far from Hollywood.

What Did Susan Deixler Say About Barry Manilow’s New Marriage?

In April 2015, news spread that Barry Manilow had married his longtime partner, Garry Kief, in 2014. Reporters asked Susan Deixler about the marriage. She responded in a kind and calm way. She said she was happy that Barry had found love and happiness.

She also explained that their own relationship had ended about 50 years earlier and that she did not wish to speak about the old days. Her comments showed that she had accepted the past and built a different life. She did not speak badly about Barry or try to gain attention from the news. Instead, she made it clear that she valued her privacy.

Barry Manilow’s Life With Garry Kief

Barry Manilow met Garry Kief in 1978, many years after his marriage to Susan ended. Their relationship grew over time, and Kief also became part of Manilow’s professional life as his manager. The couple held a private wedding ceremony in April 2014. In 2017, Barry spoke openly about their long relationship.

He said he had kept much of his personal life private because he did not know how fans would react. When he finally spoke about it, many fans showed their support. Susan had already wished him well in 2015. Their lives had moved in different directions, and both had their own stories to tell.

Where Is Susan Deixler Now in 2026?

Susan Deixler has spent much of her adult life in West Marin, California. She is known for her years of service to older people in that area. The strongest recent public information about her comes from her retirement recognition in March 2024. She does not often give interviews, and there are few reliable public updates about her day-to-day life in 2026.

Her exact current home and personal activities have not been confirmed. Because she is a private person, it is better not to guess about these details. What is clear is that she spent many years helping others and earned the respect of people in her community.

Why Susan Deixler’s Story Still Matters

Many people first search for Susan Deixler because they know the music of Barry Manilow. Yet her story is about more than being the first wife of a famous singer. She was once a young woman with a love story that did not last. Later, she became a mother and built a career helping older people.

Her work made a difference in a small community far from the music industry. Susan’s life is a reminder that success is not always about money, fame, or public praise. Sometimes, success comes from giving others care, time, and support when they need it most.

Final Thoughts

Susan Deixler’s life is much more than her short marriage to Barry Manilow. She became a mother, worked hard, and spent decades helping older adults in California. Her 2024 retirement honor showed how much her work meant to the community. Although she remains a private person, her story offers a clear lesson. A meaningful life does not need a famous name. Kindness, family, and service to others can leave a lasting mark.