Barry Diller, veteran media mogul and chairman of IAC, has publicly revealed for the first time that he is gay, while expressing enduring love for his wife of 24 years, renowned fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg.
In an essay for New York Magazine titled The Truth About Us, After All These Years, Diller reflected on his romantic history and evolving self-understanding. “While there have been a good many men in my life, there has only ever been one woman,” he wrote, noting that von Furstenberg entered his life when he was 33.
Diller said he never doubted his sexuality but once feared how others would respond. He described his relationship with von Furstenberg—whom he met in 1974—as both natural and transformative. Their romance was on-and-off before they reunited in 1991 and married in 2001. He acknowledged their union puzzled many, writing: “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,” calling it a “unique and complete love.”
Though the couple never had children together, von Furstenberg has two adult children, Alexander and Tatiana, from her first marriage to Prince Egon von Furstenberg. Diller has never married anyone else.
Speaking about 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 today’s more fluid understanding of sexuality with helping him make sense of his experience.
Von Furstenberg responded through her representative with a quote from author Diane Chamberlain: “The secret of honoring love and life is to never lie.”
The couple’s current relationship status remains private, and neither has filed for divorce. In a 2010 interview, von Furstenberg shared, “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 also noted they no longer shared a bed but were happy with the arrangement: “I like it this way.”
