For years, Margaret Keane was kept behind locked doors - painting the pictures of the wide-eyed waifs that made her husband Walter Keane an art sensation. Feted by celebrities during the 1950s and 60s, Walter, ever a showman, took credit for his wife's work until Margaret found the courage to come forward and tell the truth. Her story is told in new movie Big Eyes, which premieres tonight in New York. Amy Adams plays Margaret, while Christoph Waltz is the controlling, egomaniac Walter. Both actors have won Golden Globe nominations for their work. In a softly spoken voice, Margaret, now 87, tells MailOnline: 'I think Walter would have enjoyed every minute of it - all he cared about was being a celebrity, and of course,' she muses: 'he would have just claimed he was an artist until the very end, he would have loved the attention.'
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Margaret Keane painted the wide-eyed waifs made popular in the '50s and '60s
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Her husband Walter claimed her work as his own - and kept her locked up while he sold the paintings to celebrities
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She was awarded a $4m settlement in court in 1986 - but never saw a penny
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Their story is now the subject of new movie, Big Eyes, starring Amy Adams and Christoph Waltz, who have both won Golden Globe nominations
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Margaret tells MailOnline: 'Walter would have enjoyed every minute of it - all he cared about was being a celebrity'
Asked about Amy Adams' portrayal of her, Margaret tells how the pair bonded before filming and said that @placeholder looks just like her in the movie, 'only prettier', adding: 'I knew she'd do a good job, but I had no idea it would be so fantastic.'