Barry Manilow, the renowned singer known for his high-spirited hits, has finally revealed in detail the significant support he received from his secret lover-turned-husband, Garry Kief. The Brooklyn-born singer, who turned 80 in June, spoke candidly about how Kief "saved my life" during his rise to peak fame in the late 1970s.

In an interview with Chris Wallace on Who's Talking to Chris Wallace, streaming on CNN Max, Manilow shared how his life changed when he met Kief around the time his career was exploding. He expressed gratitude for no longer having to return to empty hotel rooms and facing loneliness night after night. Instead, Kief became a constant companion—someone to celebrate with and someone to cry with.

While Manilow had previously acknowledged his long and secret relationship with Kief, he rarely shared further details. However, this interview with Wallace offers insights into their dynamic as a couple. Manilow credited Kief's influence in his decision to publicly announce their relationship but admitted feeling uncomfortable talking about their private life.

Manilow emphasized the significance of their relationship and how, in the 1970s, being openly gay was not widely accepted and could have had severe consequences for a public figure's career. He revealed that back then, the idea of coming out was not even a consideration for him, as being gay could have spelled the end of his success. However, when they eventually shared their relationship with the public, Manilow believes everyone already knew they were a couple after all those years.

In the interview, Manilow also discussed the challenges he faced following his short-lived marriage to his high-school sweetheart, Susan Deixler, which ended in an annulment in 1966. The singer acknowledged that his passion for music and his dedication to his career made it difficult for him to be a proper husband.

Despite turning 80, Manilow has no plans to retire. His legendary career spans over five decades, during which he has released more than 50 albums, garnered 15 number-one singles, and sold over 85 million records.

Barry Manilow's openness about his relationship with Garry Kief sheds light on the support he received during the peak of his career. As the singer continues to captivate audiences with his timeless music, he proves that love and companionship can make a world of difference in an artist's life.