Most people know Barry Manilow for hits like “Copacabana” and “Mandy,” but few know about the woman who stood by his side during his early musical journey. Susan Deixler, Barry Manilow’s first wife, shared a brief but meaningful chapter with the legendary singer before he became a household name. Today, she lives a quiet life in California, far from the spotlight that once briefly touched her world.
Who Is Susan Deixler?
Susan Deixler gained public attention as Barry Manilow’s high school sweetheart and first spouse. Born around 1945, she grew up in Brooklyn, New York, where she would eventually cross paths with the future music icon. While many celebrity ex-wives fade into obscurity, Susan carved out her path as a holistic healer and devoted mother.
Her connection to Barry Manilow represents just one chapter in a life that spans decades of personal growth and professional development. Unlike many celebrity spouses who seek the limelight, Susan chose privacy and purposeful living over public attention.
Early Life & Family Background
Susan grew up in a Jewish household in Brooklyn with her parents, Nettie and Al Deixler. Her childhood unfolded during the post-World War II era, when Brooklyn was a melting pot of cultures and dreams. The Deixler family provided Susan with a stable foundation that would serve her well throughout her life’s unexpected turns.
Brooklyn in the 1950s and early 1960s shaped Susan’s character in ways that would influence her future choices. The borough’s tight-knit communities and strong family values became cornerstones of her personality. These early experiences taught her the importance of authenticity and staying true to herself, qualities that would prove essential when she later found herself connected to a rising star.
Meeting Barry Manilow: High School Sweethearts
Eastern District High School Days
Susan and Barry’s love story began at Eastern District High School in Brooklyn around 1961. Both teenagers navigated the typical challenges of adolescence while discovering their passions. Barry was already showing signs of musical talent, while Susan demonstrated the caring nature that would later define her professional life.
Their school environment fostered creativity and ambition. Eastern District High School provided the backdrop for a romance that felt both ordinary and extraordinary. Like many high school couples, they shared dreams, concerns about the future, and the intense emotions that come with first love.
First Dates & Shared Musical Dreams
Their early relationship revolved around Barry’s growing musical interests. Susan became his biggest supporter, attending his performances and encouraging his artistic pursuits. She understood his passion for music even when success seemed uncertain.
During their dating years, Susan witnessed Barry’s dedication to his craft. She saw him practice for hours, write songs, and dream about making it in the music industry. Her unwavering support during these formative years played a crucial role in Barry’s confidence as a performer.
A Brief Marriage & Annulment
In 1964, Susan and Barry decided to marry, but their union faced immediate challenges. They held both a civil ceremony and rabbinical vows, trying to honor their families’ expectations while following their hearts. However, the marriage lasted only two years before they filed for annulment in 1966.
The reasons for their split weren’t dramatic or scandalous. Instead, they reflected the reality that young love doesn’t always translate into lifelong compatibility. Both Susan and Barry were still discovering who they were as individuals, and their paths began pointing in different directions.
Family dynamics also played a role in their relationship’s end. The pressures of meeting parental expectations while trying to build their own lives created stress that their young marriage couldn’t withstand. The annulment allowed both of them to move forward without the bitterness that often accompanies divorce.
Becoming a Mother: Her Two Children
After her marriage to Barry ended, Susan focused on building a family of her own. She became a devoted mother to two children, though she has kept their names and personal details private to protect their privacy. This decision reflects her commitment to giving her family a normal life away from public scrutiny.
Susan’s approach to motherhood emphasized independence and personal growth. She raised her children with the same values she learned growing up in Brooklyn: authenticity, hard work, and compassion for others. Her role as a mother became one of her most important identities, shaping her decisions about career and lifestyle.
The experience of raising children as a single mother taught Susan resilience and resourcefulness. She learned to balance her own needs with her children’s while maintaining her sense of self. This period of her life prepared her for the career transition that would define her later years.
Career Aspirations: From Nursing Plans to Holistic Healing
Susan’s high school yearbook listed nursing as her career goal, reflecting her natural desire to help others. While she didn’t pursue traditional nursing, she found her calling in holistic healing. This career path allowed her to combine her caring nature with alternative approaches to wellness.
Her transition to holistic healing wasn’t sudden. Over time, Susan developed an interest in natural health methods and alternative therapies. She pursued certification and training that qualified her to help others achieve better physical and emotional wellness.
Today, Susan works as a certified holistic healer in Point Reyes Station, California. Her practice focuses on helping people find balance and healing through natural methods. This career choice perfectly aligns with her personality and values, allowing her to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.
Life in Point Reyes Station: A Private Journey
Point Reyes Station, a small community in Marin County, California, provides the perfect setting for Susan’s quiet lifestyle. The rural town, known for its natural beauty and tight-knit community, offers a stark contrast to her Brooklyn roots and brief brush with celebrity culture.
In Point Reyes Station, Susan has built a life centered on simplicity and purpose. She participates in community activities while maintaining her privacy. Neighbors describe her as fiercely independent and genuinely caring, someone who contributes positively to local life without seeking attention.
Her daily routine revolves around her healing practice, personal wellness, and community connections. The California coastal setting provides the peaceful environment she needs to focus on helping others while maintaining her balance. This lifestyle choice demonstrates her commitment to living authentically rather than chasing external validation.
Reflections on Barry Manilow’s Later Years
When Barry Manilow married his manager, Garry Kief, in 2014, Susan responded with grace and genuine well-wishes. Her public statement reflected the maturity and kindness that have characterized her approach to their shared past: “I wish him well. I’m glad that he’s found love and happiness.”
This response shows how Susan has processed their relationship over the decades. Rather than harboring resentment or seeking attention from Barry’s continued fame, she chose to focus on positive feelings and genuine care for his well-being. Her reaction demonstrates the emotional growth that comes from truly moving forward in life.
Susan’s perspective on Barry’s later marriage also reveals her understanding of love’s complexity. She recognizes that people change and grow, and what matters most is finding authentic happiness. Her mature response earned respect from fans and media alike.
Where Is Susan Deixler Now?
At approximately 79 years old, Susan continues her holistic healing practice in Point Reyes Station. While specific details about her net worth remain private, her comfortable lifestyle suggests financial stability through her career and wise life choices. She rarely gives interviews or makes public appearances, preferring to let her work and community contributions speak for themselves.
Recent years have seen Susan maintaining her commitment to privacy while staying active in her chosen field. She continues helping clients achieve better wellness through natural methods. Her longevity in the holistic healing field speaks to both her expertise and dedication to helping others.
Susan’s current life reflects the values she’s held throughout her journey. She has created a meaningful existence focused on service, family, and personal authenticity. Her story demonstrates that happiness doesn’t require fame or public recognition.
Legacy & Public Perception
Susan Deixler’s legacy extends beyond her brief marriage to Barry Manilow. She represents the possibility of building a meaningful life after being connected to celebrity culture. Her choice to pursue personal fulfillment over public attention offers an inspiring example for others facing similar situations.
Fans of Barry Manilow often express appreciation for Susan’s role in his early life and career. Many recognize that her support during his formative years contributed to his eventual success. Her gracious handling of their relationship’s end and his later life choices have earned widespread respect.
Susan’s impact on Barry’s early career shouldn’t be underestimated. During their relationship, she provided emotional support and encouragement that helped him develop confidence as a performer. While their romantic relationship ended, her influence on his artistic development remains part of his story.
Her current work as a holistic healer continues her lifelong pattern of helping others. In Point Reyes Station, she has built a reputation for genuine care and effective natural healing methods. This career represents the culmination of her values and experiences, allowing her to make a positive difference in people’s lives.
Susan Deixler’s story reminds us that every person connected to fame has their own complete life story. Her journey from Brooklyn teenager to California healer demonstrates resilience, authenticity, and the power of choosing personal fulfillment over public attention. While she may always be remembered as Barry Manilow’s first wife, her accomplishments and character define her true legacy.
