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Neil Diamondis one of rock's living legends.
The hitmaker, who celebrates his 85th birthday on Jan. 24, 2026, has penned numerous chart-topping singles, including "Song Sung Blue" and the anthemic"Sweet Caroline."Over his six decades as a musician, Diamond has become one of the best-selling artists in history, with music that has resonated through multiple generations.
Away from the stage, he is a proud dad tofour children: Marjorie and Elyn, whom he shares with first wife Jaye Posner, and Jesse and Micah, whom he welcomed with second wife Marcia Murphey.
As Diamond turns 85, look back at his life and decorated career in photos.
Neil Diamond's Childhood
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Neil Leslie Diamond was born on Jan. 24, 1941, in Brooklyn, New York, to Rose and Akeeba "Kieve" Diamond. He attended Erasmus Hall High School at the same time as fellow future starBarbra Streisandand enrolled at New York University with a fencing scholarship.
In college, he split his time between fencing, pre-med studies and songwriting, but he soon began skipping class to play his music at Tin Pan Alley in hopes of record executives hearing it. Ten units short of graduation, he dropped out of school to write songs for Sunbeam Music.
"Sweet Caroline" and Neil Diamond's First No. 1 Songs
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In the mid-'60s, Diamond's songwriting started to garner attention from some of the industry's top talents. His first success came with the top 20 hit "Sunday and Me," released by rock group Jay and the Americans. Among the other artists who have covered his songs areElvis Presley,the Monkeesand Cliff Richard.
He penned his perennial "Sweet Caroline" in 1969, and over the years, the song has become a favorite sing-along tune at ball games worldwide.
Diamond landed his first two No. 1 hits on theBillboardHot 100 shortly after "Sweet Caroline," with "Cracklin' Rosie" and "Song Sung Blue."
Neil Diamond's Marriage to Marcia Murphey
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After divorcing his first wife Jaye Posner in 1969, two years after they split, Diamond tied the knot with his second wife, TV producer Marcia Murphey, in December of that year.
They remained married for 25 years, and in the divorce settlement, he reportedly had to pay her a large portion of his earnings.
"She got enough to live on for the rest of her life," he told theDaily Mailin 2014.
Neil Diamond Performs at Glastonbury
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Diamond made his Glastonbury Music Festival debut in 2008, performing in its day 3 legends slot on the iconic Pyramid Stage.
Neil Diamond's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction
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In 2011, Diamond was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, with an introductory speech delivered by Paul Simon. His inductee class includedAlice Cooper,Darlene Love, Dr. John andTom Waits.
The star's improvised speech paid homage to industry veterans who have not been inducted into the Hall of Fame, even though they've been on the road as long as him.
"I hate to travel," he admitted. "But people keep coming [to my shows], so I keep going."
Neil Diamond Receives a Kennedy Center Honor
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The same year as his Hall of Fame induction, then-PresidentBarack Obamaawarded Diamond with a Kennedy Center Honor alongsideMeryl Streep,Yo-Yo Ma, Barbara Cook and Sonny Rollins.John Lithgowdelivered the introductory speech at the ceremony, while Raphael Saadiq,Jennifer Nettles,Smokey RobinsonandLionel Richiegave tribute performances to commemorate Diamond's Kennedy Center Honor.
"We all know about Neil Diamond's legendary performing superstardom. The millions who've flocked to his concerts, how much his performances have influenced music," said Lithgow, citing the many artists who've covered Diamond's song "I'm a Believer."
He concluded, "When it comes to Neil Diamond, I am a believer. We're all believers."
Neil Diamond Receives a Lifetime Achievement Grammy
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Already aGrammywinner (for Best Score Soundtrack Album for a Motion Picture in 1974), Diamond received a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018 for the longevity of his career and the lasting impact of his work. At the time, he could not attend the ceremony in person due to his recent Parkinson's disease diagnosis.
Neil Diamond's Marriage to Katie McNeil
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Recalling his love story with talent manager Katie McNeil toThe Telegraph, Diamond revealed he initially had no romantic feelings for her, but they "fell in love, slowly."
Diamond announced his engagement to McNeil via Twitter in September 2011. They wed in Los Angeles the following April in front of family and close friends and have stuck by each other's side ever since.
On the secret to their 14-year marriage, Katietold PEOPLEin December 2025: "We're best friends, and we really support each other. We lift each other up, and through thick and thin, through sickness and health, we really live it."
Neil Diamond as a Father of 4
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He raised daughters Marjorie and Elyn — whom he shares with first wife Posner — and sons Jesse and Micah, whom he had with second wife Murphey. He told60 Minutes Australiain February 2020 that amid his busy, on-the-road schedule, "there were always tears."
Diamond explained, "Somehow, they don't remember that so much. But I walk around with a sense of guilt still because I left them more than I should have, but the work required it."
Since the beginning of his career, he has maintained his children's privacy, telling PEOPLE in 1982 that the "best thing I can do for my kids is give them a normal life."
Through his four kids, the musician is also the grandfather of eight, and the entire family united for a rare family photo in 2023, shared by Jesse.
Neil Diamond's Parkinson's Diagnosis
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In January 2018, Diamondrevealed his Parkinson's diagnosisvia his official website, and he announced his retirement from touring, effective immediately. However, he assured fans of his plans to continue writing and recording music.
"I have been so honored to bring my shows to the public for the past 50 years," said Diamond. "My thanks goes out to my loyal and devoted audiences around the world. You will always have my appreciation for your support and encouragement. This ride has been 'so good, so good, so good' thanks to you."
During a2023 update on his healthwithCBS Sunday Morning, the prolific songwriter explained he had only accepted his diagnosis "in the last few weeks."
"A calm has moved in, and the hurricane of my life, and things have gotten very quiet," he said. "I find that I like myself better. I'm easier on people. I'm easier on myself. And the beat goes on, and it will go on long after I'm gone."
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