Barry Manilow’s ex-wife has wished her former spouse all the best after his reported wedding to manager Garry Kief.
The 71-year-old singer allegedly tied the knot with his long-time partner Garry last April in a small, private ceremony.
And now Susan Deixler, who was married to the Copacabana singer for just a year, has spoken about Barry’s nuptials for the first time.
“What happened between us, our relationship, is ancient history and I don't want to dig back into ancient history,” Susan, 70, told Daily Mail Online. “It's 50 years ago. You have to remember that I'm not a celebrity. I have children, a life…all that was a long time ago.
“I'm a private person but I'm happy for him. I really am.”
Susan and Barry married in 1964 when she was just 19 after meeting at the Eastern District High School in Brooklyn, New York.
But after just 12 months of matrimony, Barry left Susan to embark on a “wondrous musical adventure”, he explains in his 1987 autobiography Sweet Life.
“She reacted badly of course,” he adds in the book.
According to People.com, Barry and Garry’s wedding ceremony was held at the singer’s home in Palm Springs, California.
The outlet says “20 to 30 guests” believed they were attending a “lunch”. But when they arrived, they found they were witness to the nuptials.
It was officiated by his assistant Marc Hulett, while the couple’s close friend Suzanne Somers acted as best man.
Barry and Garry are said to have declined to sign any official paperwork following the ceremony, and have made it their mission to keep their newlywed status as private as possible.
However, the couple apparently do both wear wedding rings.
