Born in Reading, Pennsylvania, he grew up in Kutztown and studied at the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts (1976-1978) and the School of Visual Arts in New York. His first mayor exhibition was in 1982 at Tony Shafrazi's Gallery in New York. His first exhibition in Europe was in the same year in Gallerie 't Venster in Rotterdam, Holland.

He died in New York of Aids-related complications. Keith Haring left the world a substantial and complex body of artwork. But in addition, Keith is remembered for donating so much time and labor to the people and causes he believed in, that those who knew him marveled at his energy.