- 82-year-old Neil Diamond was on the verge of tears in a rare interview wherein he looked different amid health problems.
- "I've finally found somebody who’s up to the task of being my wife", he revealed of his family life.
- Diamond is a happy grandfather of 8.
Pop singer Neil Diamond is a renowned musician who has taken the world by storm since he thrust into the music scene in the late 1960s.
Diamond is a force to be reckoned with and has entertained fans worldwide with hits including "Sweet Caroline" and "I Am...I Said."
Singer Neil Diamond performs onstage wearing a red jumpsuit on January 1, 1980 in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images
His love for music started at a young age as he attended Erasmus Hall High School, where he was a member of the Freshman Chorus and Choral Club. When he turned 16, young Diamond received his first guitar.
After seeing folk singer Peter Seegar perform at a summer camp, that was when he knew he wanted to pursue a singing career.
Songwriter Neil Diamond pictured on January 1, 1980 in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images
He soon started losing interest in attending school classes and focused on attempting to get his songs heard by local music publishers.
Diamond ultimately received a 16-week job writing offer from Sunbeam Music Publishing for $50 a week and later dropped out of college.
The legendary star, born to Jewish parents in Brooklyn, New York City, on January 24, 1941, is 82 and has amassed great success in the music business.
Sadly, Diamond had to give up a part of his passion when he announced that he was retiring from the road in January 2018.
The decision was due to his Parkinson's disease diagnosis, and he had to cancel the third leg of his 50th Anniversary tour.
However, the songwriter, considered one of the best-selling musicians of all time, admitted during an interview that he still hoped to perform live again someday.
Diamond on the Verge of Tears in Rare Interview: He Now Looks Different
Diamond recently had an emotional sit-down interview with "CBS Sunday Morning" and candidly talked about the disease that slowed him down career-wise.
The Hollywood star admitted he only recently began to come to terms with his condition despite being diagnosed five years ago.
Diamond confessed that he was in denial about his health for about the first year or two following his diagnosis and failed to accept what the doctor had told him:
"I'm still doing it. And I don't like it."
Asked if there was ever a time after the diagnosis when he learned to accept it, Diamond revealed: "I think this has just been in the last few weeks."
The A-lister explained he had gotten over that, and things have settled down as he enjoys the quietness now in his life. He believes he is now the best version of himself and has become patient with others and himself. While stating this, he appeared on the verge of tears.
Diamond's life was played out on the Broadway musical in "A Beautiful Noise." When asked what he thought about it, he said it was difficult to watch. "I was a little embarrassed. I was flattered, and I was scared." He explained what scared him: "Being found out is the scariest thing you can hope because we all have a façade."
CBS posted a clip of the interview on Instagram, and fans commented on it. One person wrote about Diamond's appearance, 'I didn't recognize him at all."
While another Instagram user expressed the great love, they had for him during his early career, adding the feeling is still the same even today. A third individual penned, "Your admiration is in your eyes."
When asked if he still needs to sing nowadays, Diamond said he enjoys singing and feels good about it, adding his mind and body merge, which is a great feeling. He affirmed that he could still sing.
The Grandpa of 8 Can Rely on His Beautiful Wife: He Opened Up About His Love Life
Besides his condition and a steady musical career, Diamond is a family man married to his third wife, talent manager Katie McNeil, whom he wed in April 2012.
A month after getting married, Diamond gushed about his decision to settle down and explained what type of individual he was looking for all this time.
Neil Diamond poses at the opening night of the new Neil Diamond musical "A Beautiful Noise" on Broadway at The Broadhurst Theater on December 4, 2022 in New York City | Source: Getty Images
"I've finally found somebody who's up to the task of being my wife, because I'm very high maintenance," the "Shilo" singer admitted, adding:
"I want someone by my side who I love and who loves me."
Talent manager Katie McNeil and Neil Diamond during the opening night of the Neil Diamond musical "A Beautiful Noise" on Broadway at The Broadhurst Theater on December 4, 2022 in New York City | Source: Getty Images
Diamond further expanded on what he meant by saying he is high maintenance and explained whenever he needs to talk to someone, he wants to do it immediately.
His spouse would have to leave whatever she is busy with to tend to him and lend him an ear. But he noted that he returned the favor. Diamond's wife is his manager, and she hesitated to pursue a romantic relationship with him before because of their work relationship.
Neil Diamond and his wife Katie McNeil attend the ceremony that honored him with a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on August 10, 2012 | Source: Getty Images
However, they could not deny their connection; therefore, they took the plunge and have been together ever since. McNeil takes good care of her spouse, who is also a father and a grandfather.
The family patriarch has four daughters: Elyn and Marjorie, from his first marriage to high school sweetheart Jaye Posner, and sons Jesse and Micah, whom he had with his second wife, Marcia Murphey. Diamond is also a grandfather of eight grandchildren.
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