Barry Diller, longtime media mogul and chairman of IAC, has publicly shared for the first time that he is gay, while also expressing deep affection for his wife of 24 years, fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg.
In an essay published in New York Magazine titled The Truth About Us, After All These Years, Diller reflected on his romantic past and evolving understanding of his identity. “While there have been a good many men in my life, there has only ever been one woman,” he wrote. “She didn’t come into my life until I was 33 years old.”
Diller emphasized that he never questioned the core of his sexuality, only fearing how others might react. He described his relationship with von Furstenberg, whom he met in 1974, as both natural and transformative. The couple had an on-again, off-again relationship before reuniting in 1991 and marrying a decade later in 2001.
He acknowledged that their relationship may have caused “confusion and lots of speculation” among those around them. “A relationship that began with indifference, then exploded into a romance as natural to us as breathing, surprised us and everyone else. It really is the miracle of my life,” he wrote, calling their union a “unique and complete love.”
Although they never had children together, von Furstenberg has two adult children, Alexander and Tatiana, from her previous marriage to Prince Egon von Furstenberg. Diller has never married anyone else.
Addressing his attraction to men, Diller admitted, “Yes, I also liked guys, but that was not a conflict with my love for Diane. I can’t explain it to myself or to the world.” He credited modern, more fluid perspectives on sexuality for helping him better understand his experience.
Von Furstenberg responded through her representative, stating, “The secret of honoring love and life is to never lie,” quoting author Diane Chamberlain.
The couple’s current relationship status remains private, though neither has filed for divorce. In a 2010 interview, von Furstenberg offered a rare glimpse into their bond, saying, “Barry has loved me unconditionally for 34 years. I did leave him and went with other men, but they always ended up being jealous of Barry.”
She added, “At the end, he got me, and I’m happy he got me. He’s the pillar of our family.” At the time, she acknowledged that they did not sleep together but expressed contentment with the arrangement, saying, “I like it this way.”
