Who Is Susan Deixler? The Untold Story of Barry Manilow’s First Wife

Many people know Barry Manilow as a famous singer with a soft voice and many beautiful songs. But very few people know about the woman who was with him at the very beginning of his life journey. That woman is Susan Deixler.

Susan Deixler is not a celebrity in the usual way. She did not chase fame or attention. Instead, she chose a calm and simple life. This makes her story very different and very interesting to learn about.

So, who is Susan Deixler really? Was she only Barry Manilow’s first wife, or is there more to her life? When you look deeper, you will see a story full of strength, kindness, and quiet choices.

Who Is Susan Deixler?

Susan Deixler is best known as the first wife of Barry Manilow. But that is only one small part of her life. She is actually a woman who built her own peaceful and meaningful life away from the spotlight.

Many people think of her as a “celebrity ex-wife,” but that is not the full picture. Susan chose a different path. She stayed away from fame and focused on living a quiet and happy life with her family.

Susan is often described as kind, calm, and strong. She did not try to stay in the public eye after her marriage ended. Instead, she followed her own values and created a life that felt right to her.

This is what makes Susan Deixler special. She shows us that you do not need fame or attention to live a full and beautiful life. Her story is simple, but it is also very meaningful.

Susan Deixler’s Early Life

Susan Deixler was born in Brooklyn, New York, around the mid-1940s. She grew up in a busy and lively area where people knew each other and life was full of energy and community spirit.

Her parents, Al Deixler and Nettie Deixler, raised her in a warm and caring home. They taught her simple values like kindness, hard work, and helping others. These values stayed with her for her whole life.

As a child, Susan lived a normal life. She went to school, made friends, and enjoyed everyday moments. There was nothing fancy or famous about her early years, and that is what makes her story feel real.

Her early life helped shape her personality. It made her strong, independent, and caring. These qualities later helped her handle both love and heartbreak in a very graceful way.

Her School Life and Activities

Susan studied at Eastern District High School in Brooklyn. During her school years, she was not just a quiet student. She was active, friendly, and full of life.

She took part in many activities. She sang in the school chorus, joined the Chemistry Squad, and even enjoyed sports like swimming and bowling. She liked to stay busy and be part of different groups.

Susan was also a leader. She became the student government president in her senior year. This shows that people trusted her and enjoyed being around her. She had a bright and warm personality.

Her classmates described her as “bubbly” and kind. One person even said that everyone liked her. Her yearbook showed that she planned to study nursing, which proves she wanted to help others from a young age.

How Susan Deixler Met Barry Manilow

Susan met Barry Manilow during high school. She was a junior, and he was a senior. Their personalities were very different, but that is what made their connection special.

Susan was cheerful, social, and full of energy. Barry was quieter and focused on music. While others saw a shy boy, Susan saw something special in him and believed in his dreams.

Their friendship slowly turned into love. They spent time together, shared simple moments, and built a strong connection. It was the kind of young love that feels pure and natural.

Susan supported Barry’s music dreams from the beginning. She believed in him even before he became famous. This support meant a lot to him and played an important role in his early life.

Susan Deixler’s marriage to Barry Manilow

In 1964, Susan Deixler and Barry Manilow decided to get married. Susan was only 19 years old, and Barry was in his early 20s. It was a young and emotional decision, but they felt ready at the time.

Their wedding story was not simple. In fact, it was quite unusual. Because of family disagreements, they ended up having multiple wedding ceremonies instead of just one.

First, they eloped and got married at City Hall in a judge’s office. But Susan’s family wanted a proper religious ceremony, so they had another wedding with a rabbi present.

After that, both families held separate receptions. Each side had its own event, and not everyone was invited. This meant the couple had to go through wedding ceremonies more than once, which made their story very unique.

Why Their Marriage Ended

Even though Susan and Barry loved each other, their marriage did not last long. It only lasted about one to one and a half years. Slowly, problems started to appear in their relationship.

Barry was very focused on his music career. He spent long hours working, performing, and trying to build his future. This made it hard for him to focus on married life.

Susan, on the other hand, wanted a simple and stable home. She hoped for a normal life together. But Barry’s dreams were pulling him in a different direction, and this created distance between them.

Barry later admitted that he was too young and not ready for marriage. He said he did not understand what it really meant to be a husband. In the end, Susan filed for an annulment around 1965, and their marriage officially ended in 1966

What Barry Said About Susan

After the marriage ended, Barry Manilow did not speak badly about Susan Deixler. In fact, he spoke with respect. He once said she was “the perfect wife,” which shows how much he valued her during their time together.

Barry later explained that the problem was not Susan. He said he was too young and not ready for marriage. He admitted that he did not understand what it takes to be a husband at that time.

He also shared that his love for music was very strong. It pulled him away from married life. He chose his career path, even though it meant leaving someone who cared deeply for him.

These honest words made many fans curious about Susan Deixler. People started to wonder more about her life and how she moved forward after such an emotional time.

Susan Deixler’s Life After Divorce

After the divorce, Susan Deixler made a very clear and strong choice. She decided to stay away from fame and public attention. Instead of staying connected to a famous name, she chose a quiet and simple life.

She moved to California, far from the busy life of New York. She settled in a small and peaceful place where she could feel calm and safe. This place later became her long-term home.

Susan did not try to stay in the spotlight. She did not give many interviews or share her personal life with the public. She protected her peace and kept her life private.

This decision shows her strength. Many people in her position might chase fame, but Susan did the opposite. She followed her heart and built a life that felt right for her.

Her Career in Nursing and Healing

Susan Deixler started her working life as a secretary. It was a simple job, but it helped her begin her career journey. Soon, she moved toward something she always cared about—helping people.

She became a nurse, just like she once planned in her school days. Nursing allowed her to care for others, support them, and make a real difference in their lives.

Later, Susan expanded her work and became a holistic healer. This means she focused on natural ways to help people feel better, both in body and mind. She believed in gentle and caring methods.

She also worked as a care manager for seniors. She helped older people stay active and healthy. She even supported programs like swimming for seniors, showing her deep care for people of all ages.

Her Children and Family Life

After her marriage ended, Susan Deixler built her own family life. She did not remarry, but her life was still full of love and meaning. She focused on raising her children.

She has two children. Her daughter Pauline became a lawyer, which shows strong education and success. Her son Daniel, also called Danny, became a builder and musician.

Susan raised her children with care, patience, and strong values. She gave them a stable and loving home. Her role as a mother became one of the most important parts of her life.

Today, she is also a grandmother. Her life is filled with family moments, simple joys, and peaceful days. Her family is her biggest treasure.

Her Reaction to Barry’s New Life

Years later, Barry Manilow shared his true self with the world. He came out as gay and later married his longtime partner, Garry Kief, in 2014.

Many people were curious about how Susan Deixler would react. Would she feel upset? Would she speak about the past? But her response surprised many people in a very positive way.

Susan said, “I wish him well. I’m happy for him. I’m glad that he’s found love and happiness.” These simple words showed her kindness and maturity.

She also made it clear that their relationship was “ancient history.” She did not want to go back into the past. This shows that she had moved forward in a healthy and peaceful way.

Where Is Susan Deixler Now?

Today, Susan Deixler lives in Point Reyes Station, California. It is a very small town with a calm and quiet lifestyle. It is the perfect place for someone who values peace.

She is now in her early 80s as of 2026. Most reports say she was born around 1944 or 1945. At this stage of life, she is likely retired from her work in healthcare.

She continues to stay away from media and public attention. She does not use social media and does not appear in public events. She enjoys a simple and private life.

Her days are likely filled with family time, rest, and small joys. She has built a life that matches her personality—calm, gentle, and meaningful.

Susan Deixler’s Net Worth

Susan Deixler has an estimated net worth of around $500,000. She earned this money through her own hard work in nursing and holistic healing.

She did not depend on fame or her past marriage. Instead, she created her own stable and comfortable life through her career and dedication.

Her lifestyle is simple and modest. She does not live a flashy or public life. She focuses on what truly matters—family, health, and peace.

Her story shows that success is not always about fame or money. Sometimes, it is about living a life that feels right and peaceful.

Final Thoughts

Susan Deixler’s story is simple but very powerful. She started as a young girl in Brooklyn, fell in love, got married, and then faced a difficult breakup. But she did not let that define her life.

She chose a peaceful path. She focused on helping others, raising her children, and living a quiet life. She stayed true to herself and did not chase fame or attention.

Her story teaches us something important. You do not need to be famous to live a full and happy life. Sometimes, the quiet path is the most beautiful one.

And that is what makes Susan Deixler’s story so special.