share on facebook tweet this

Barry Manilow kept his sexuality a secret for nearly 40 years for fear of how his fans might react if they knew he was gay.

In an exclusive interview with People magazine published on Wednesday, Manilow finally opened up about marrying his longtime manager Garry Kief in 2014, coming out in 2015 and why it took him so long to do so.

“I’m so private. I always have been,” the legendary singer told People. But that wasn’t the only reason he kept it quiet.

“I thought I would be disappointing [my fans] if they knew I was gay. So I never did anything,” Manilow said. But, “when they found out that Garry and I were together, they were so happy. The reaction was so beautiful — strangers commenting, ‘Great for you!’ I’m just so grateful for it.”

Manilow met Kief in 1978 and right then “I knew that this was it,” Manilow said. “I was one of the lucky ones. I was pretty lonely before that.” Kief became Manilow’s manager shortly afterwards and the two have been together for 39 years.

Kief still remains Manilow’s manager, as well as the role of President of Barry Manilow Productions. “He’s the smartest person I’ve ever met in my life,” Manilow told People, “and a great guy, too.”