Barry Diller, a long-time media tycoon and IAC chairman, publicly shared for the first time that he is gay, and expressed deep feelings for his 24-year-old wife, fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg.
Over the years, Diller has reviewed his romantic past in an article titled “The Truth About Us” published in New York Magazine and has continuously developed an understanding of his identity. “Although I have many men in my life, there is only one woman,” he wrote. “She didn’t enter my life until I was 33.”
Diller stressed that he never questioned the core of his sexual behavior, but was just worried about how others would react. He described his relationship with Von Furstenberg, whom he met in 1974, as natural and changeable. The couple had an inappropriate relationship before reuniting in 1991 and marrying ten years after 2001.
He admits that their relationship may have caused “confusion and a lot of speculation” among those around him. “This relationship that starts with apathy and then explodes into a natural romance that surprises us and everyone else. It is indeed a miracle of my life,” he wrote, calling their alliance “unique and complete love.”
Although they were never together, Von Furstenberg, who had been married to Prince Egon von Furstenberg, had two adult children, Alexander and Tatiana. Diller never married anyone else.
Diller admits about his attraction to men: “Yes, I like men, too, but that’s not a conflict of my love for Diane. I can’t explain it to myself or the world.” He believes that modern, more perspectives on sex are to help him better understand his experiences.
Von Furstenberg responded through her representatives and said: “The secret of respecting love and life is never to lie,” cited by author Diane Chamberlain.
The couple’s current relationship status remains private, although no divorce is filed. In an interview in 2010, Von Furstenberg had a rare glimpse of their bond, saying: “Barry loved me unconditionally for 34 years. I did leave him and went with other men, but they were always jealous of Barry.”
“In the end, he got me, and I’m glad he got me. He was the backbone of our family.” At the time, she admitted that they did not sleep together, but were satisfied with the arrangement, saying, “I like this way.”
