People are searching “Barry Manilow Wikipedia” right now because the singer behind “Mandy” and “Copacabana” has been in the news for his health, his marriage, and a brand-new album — all at age 82. This article breaks down exactly who he is, what’s confirmed about his recent lung cancer recovery, and every biographical detail fans are looking for.
Background: Who Is Barry Manilow?
Barry Manilow was born Barry Alan Pincus on June 17, 1943, in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. He is the son of Harold Kelliher, a truck driver of Irish descent, and Edna Manilow. His parents split when he was a toddler, and he grew up using his mother’s family name, which became his stage name.
He built one of the most recognizable sounds in American pop music, with hits like “Mandy,” “Copacabana (At the Copa),” “Could It Be Magic,” and “I Write the Songs.” Before he was a household name, he wrote advertising jingles that are still stuck in people’s heads today, including State Farm’s “Like a good neighbor” tune and the Band-Aid jingle. People search for him now for a mix of reasons: nostalgia for his classic songs, curiosity about his personal life since he came out publicly in 2017, and, most recently, concern and support following his cancer diagnosis.
Latest Update
As of August 26, 2026, here is what’s currently known. Manilow revealed in December 2025 that doctors had found a cancerous spot on his left lung after he went through two long bouts of bronchitis. He said an MRI, ordered by his doctor as a precaution, found the spot early, calling it “pure luck (and a great doctor).” He underwent surgery to remove it and postponed a run of January arena shows while he recovered.
📅 Key Dates: Diagnosis announced mid-December 2025 • Surgery followed shortly after • February 4, 2026 update confirmed the surgery was successful • By March 2026, he described the recovery process as painful but said he was “getting stronger” • New album “What A Time” released June 5, 2026.
By early 2026, Manilow’s team confirmed the diagnosis was stage 1 lung cancer, discovered after a doctor ordered scans when the singer’s hip started bothering him. He has said the treatment plan did not involve chemotherapy or radiation, only the surgery itself, and that doctors did not believe the cancer had spread. He has continued to reschedule some tour dates through 2026 while easing back into performing, including his long-running residency at Westgate Las Vegas.
✅ Confirmed: As of this writing, Manilow is alive, recovering from surgery, and actively promoting his new studio album. No credible source has reported a relapse or a more serious diagnosis.
On the music side, Manilow released his new album “What A Time” on June 5, 2026 — his first collection of mostly original material in nearly 15 years. He has also continued adding tour dates through the year, including new arena shows announced for spring 2026, several of which are billed as his final concerts in those specific cities.
⚠️ Unconfirmed Claims Note: Some online posts have exaggerated his diagnosis as terminal or claimed he has stopped performing entirely. Neither claim is supported by his own statements or by mainstream news coverage. Treat any version of these claims as unconfirmed unless it comes from Manilow himself or a major outlet.
Full Profile
Family and Early Life
Manilow grew up in the working-class Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn. He was raised largely by his mother and grandparents, Esther and Joseph Manilow, both Russian Jewish immigrants, after his parents divorced when he was two years old. He started on accordion around age seven and picked up piano as a teenager, which is where his songwriting really began.
Career Path
Manilow’s break came through a mailroom job at CBS, which led to arranging work and, eventually, a role as musical director and arranger for Bette Midler in the early 1970s. He then launched his own solo career, releasing his debut self-titled album in 1973 and following it with a string of hits through the mid-to-late 1970s and 1980s. Beyond his own records, he has produced Grammy-nominated albums for other artists and written a Broadway musical, “Harmony,” which earned a 2023 New York Times Critic’s Pick.
Age
Barry Manilow is 82 years old, born June 17, 1943.
Religion
Manilow was raised in a Jewish household by his mother’s family, who taught him Jewish traditions and sent him to Hebrew school; his father’s side had Irish Catholic roots. He has spoken about drifting from strict religious practice as an adult while still identifying with his Jewish upbringing.
Spouse/Partner
Manilow was briefly married to his high school girlfriend, Susan Deixler, from 1964 to 1966. He married his longtime manager, Garry Kief, in a private ceremony in Palm Springs, California, in April 2014; the two had been a couple since meeting in 1978. Manilow publicly confirmed he is gay and spoke about his marriage to Kief for the first time in a 2017 interview.
Net Worth
Widely cited entertainment-finance sites put Manilow’s net worth at around $100 million, built from decades of album sales, touring, songwriting royalties, and his Las Vegas residency. This figure is not independently audited or confirmed by Manilow himself, so it should be treated as a media estimate rather than a verified fact.
Parents
His mother was Edna Manilow, and his biological father was Harold Kelliher (later known as Harold Pincus), a truck driver. His parents divorced when Barry was a baby, and he had little to no contact with his father afterward.
Height
Manilow’s exact height is not confirmed by any official or verified biographical source, so any specific figure circulating online should be treated as unconfirmed.
Education
Manilow briefly studied advertising at City College of New York before switching his focus to music. He then attended the New York College of Music, which later merged into what is now part of New York University, and took additional classes at the Juilliard School.
Hometown/State of Origin
Manilow was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, specifically in the Williamsburg neighborhood.
Official Social Media
Verified official site: barrymanilow.com
Quick Facts Table
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Barry Alan Pincus (professionally Barry Manilow) |
| Date of Birth | June 17, 1943 |
| Age | 82 |
| Birthplace | Brooklyn, New York, U.S. |
| Occupation | Singer, songwriter, producer |
| Spouse | Garry Kief (m. 2014); previously Susan Deixler (m. 1964, div. 1966) |
| Parents | Edna Manilow and Harold Kelliher (Pincus) |
| Education | New York College of Music; Juilliard School |
| Net Worth (estimated) | Around $100 million (unaudited media estimate) |
| Recent Health News | Stage 1 lung cancer diagnosis, Dec. 2025; successful surgery; in recovery as of 2026 |
| Latest Release | Album “What A Time,” released June 5, 2026 |
Reader Questions (FAQ)
Is Barry Manilow still alive in 2026?
Yes. As of August 2026, Barry Manilow is alive and has continued releasing music and touring throughout the year following his lung cancer surgery.
What kind of cancer did Barry Manilow have?
Manilow was diagnosed with stage 1 lung cancer after a cancerous spot was discovered on his left lung. He had it surgically removed and did not require chemotherapy or radiation.
Is Barry Manilow married?
Yes. He married his longtime manager, Garry Kief, in a private ceremony in Palm Springs in April 2014, after being a couple since 1978. He was previously briefly married to Susan Deixler in the 1960s.
How old is Barry Manilow now?
Barry Manilow is 82 years old, having been born on June 17, 1943, in Brooklyn, New York.
What is Barry Manilow’s net worth?
Entertainment-finance outlets estimate his net worth at roughly $100 million, based on album sales, touring income, and songwriting royalties. This is a media estimate, not an audited figure.
Is Barry Manilow’s real name Pincus?
Yes. He was born Barry Alan Pincus and later adopted his mother’s maiden name, Manilow, professionally after his parents divorced.
Did Barry Manilow retire from touring?
No, he has not announced a full retirement. He has billed some individual stops as his “final concerts” in specific cities while continuing to add new tour dates through 2026.
Wrap-Up
Barry Manilow’s story is really a story about staying power. He went from a Brooklyn kid teaching himself accordion to one of the best-selling solo artists in music history, and he’s still writing, recording, and touring more than sixty years later. His 2025 cancer diagnosis was a scare, but the fact that it was caught early and treated with surgery alone says a lot about how closely he and his team are managing his health today.
What makes his current chapter interesting for readers searching his name isn’t just the health update — it’s that he’s doing both things at once: recovering and creating. A new album, added tour dates, and public gratitude toward his fans all point to someone who isn’t slowing down by choice, even at 82.
If you’re looking for the short version: Barry Manilow is alive, recovering well from a stage 1 lung cancer surgery, married to Garry Kief since 2014, worth an estimated $100 million, and currently touring behind his 2026 album “What A Time.” Anything beyond that circulating online, especially claims about his health being worse than reported, should be treated as unconfirmed until it comes from Manilow or a major news outlet.
Smith Andrew is the Founder and Editor of BiographyCabal. He researches, writes, and edits accurate, engaging, and well-researched biographies of celebrities, entrepreneurs, athletes, influencers, politicians, and other notable public figures. Committed to factual reporting and quality storytelling, Smith ensures every article is reader-focused, informative, and based on reliable sources, helping readers discover the lives, careers, and achievements of influential people around the world.