Marilyn Diamond

Marilyn Martha Diamond (née Horecker; June 4, 1944 – September 7, 2025) was an American author and speaker on the topic of anti-aging and longevity. She was known for advocating a "cleansing" or "detoxification" diet.

Marilyn Diamond
Born	Marilyn Martha Horecker (1944-06-04)June 4, 1944 Washington, D.C., U.S.
Died	September 7, 2025(2025-09-07) (aged 81) Roanoke, Virginia, U.S.
Occupations	Author spokesperson
Years active	1985–2013
Spouse(s)	Peter Neuwirth ​ ​ (m. 1965; div. 1973)​ [1] Harvey Diamond ​ ​ (m. 1976; div. 1993)​ [1] Donald Schnell ​ ​ (m. 1994; div. 2014)​ [1]
Children	3

Life and career

Marilyn Martha Horecker was born in Washington, D.C. on June 4, 1944, the daughter of Bernard and Frances (née Goldstein) Horecker. Her father was a biochemist and served as dean of the Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences.^[1] She grew up in Maryland and New York, and graduated from New York University in 1968, where she studied the Romance languages.^[1]

In 1985,^[2] with her then husband Harvey Diamond, she co-authored the best-selling health and wellness book Fit for Life.^[3] The book built on the natural health movement that had roots in 19th century, and was part of the development of the fascination with celebrity beauty in contemporary American culture.^[4]

Diamond's ideas about diet and aging have been the subject of controversy in the media.^[5][6][7] In particular, nutritionists disagree with her assertion that some foods should not be eaten together.^[8]

Personal life and death

Diamond was married three times and had three children, a daughter and two sons.^[1] She died from complications of dementia in Roanoke, Virginia, on September 7, 2025, at the age of 81.^[1]

Publications

Books

• Diamond, Marilyn (2010). Fit for Life. Grand Central Life & Style/Hachette. pp. 336 pages. ISBN 978-0446553643.
• Diamond, Marilyn (2013). Young for Life: The Easy No-Diet, No-sweat Plan to Look and Feel 10 Years Younger. Rodale Books. pp. 352 pages. ISBN 978-1609615420.
• Diamond, Marilyn (1987). A New Way of Eating from the Fit for Life Kitchen. Grand Central Publishing. pp. 176 pages. ISBN 1609615425.
• Diamond, Marilyn (1998). Fitonics for Life. Avon. pp. 448 pages. ISBN 0380789671.^[9]
• Diamond, Marilyn (1990). The American Vegetarian Cookbook from the Fit for Life Kitchen. Grand Central Publishing. pp. 422 pages. ISBN 0380789671.
• Diamond, Marilyn (1987). Living Health. Grand Central Publishing. pp. 468 pages. ISBN 0380789671.
• Diamond, Marilyn (1998). Recipes for Life: From the Fitonics Kitchen. Avon Books. pp. 353 pages. ISBN 0380789671.
• Diamond, Marilyn (1991). The Fit for Life Cookbook. Bantam Books. pp. 449 pages. ISBN 0553404067.