Fashion designer Diane Von Furstenberg has insisted that her husband, Barry Diller, coming out as gay “doesn’t change anything” in their marriage—months after the business man admitted that his “fluid” sexuality has played a role in their 24-year relationship.
In May, the 83-year-old candidly opened up about his sexual orientation in an excerpt from his memoir, “Who Knew,” published in New York magazine. The memoir, published by Simon & Schuster, is now on sale.
Now, Diane—who will be honored at the Perelman Performing Arts Center NYC Icon of Culture Award on Oct. 28—has shared further details about how his sexuality makes her feel.
While speaking to Variety, she was asked about what it was like being married to a gay man, she replied, “What’s the difference? I don’t understand. It doesn’t change anything. I’m sorry — it’s a stupid question. I married two gay men, OK? I don’t know why, but to me, they’re not gay, so it doesn’t make any difference.”
Diller, who credits a “fake it until you make it” approach to his career, started out in the mailroom of talent agency William Morris. He then moved onto ABC where he became the chief executive and chairman of Paramount Pictures at the age of 32. Ten years later, he moved to Fox in 1992 before buying the home shopping network QVC. He still serves as chairman of the digital media company IAC.
He married Diane in 2001. In the book, he confessed that his relationship with her has raised eyebrows within the industry, prompting many to wonder if there was more than meets the eye.
Although he has had various romances with men, Diller said, they have not compared with nor do they affect his marriage.
“I’ve lived for decades reading about Diane and me: about us being best friends rather than lovers. We weren’t just friends. We aren’t just friends. Plain and simple, it was an explosion of passion that kept up for years,” he said.
Diller—who began dating Von Furstenberg in 1974 before separating, and then reuniting a decade later and tying the knot in 2001—revealed that he had been romantic only with men up until meeting his future wife.
“Yes, I also liked guys, but that was not a conflict with my love for Diane,” he added. “I can’t explain it to myself or to the world. It simply happened to both of us without motive or manipulation. In some cosmic way, we were destined for each other.
“I have never questioned my sexuality’s basic authority over my life (I was only afraid of the reaction of others).
“When my romance with Diane began, I never questioned that its biological imperative was as strong in its heterosexuality as its opposite had been. When it happened, my initial response was, ‘Who knew?’”
He noted that he knows that his relationship with the fashion designer has caused “confusion and lots of speculation.
“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,” Diller wrote in his memoir, which will hit shelves on May 20.
People had questioned his sexuality, until he and Von Furstenberg went public with their romance.
“Many of us at that time were in this exiled state, so stunted in the way we lived. I could have declared my sexuality, come out as some others were doing, but I was among the many at that time who were too scared to do so,” he explained. He refused to continue to “live in silence” but “not with hypocrisy.”
“I would never pose or pretend. I wouldn’t do a single thing to make anyone believe I was living a heterosexual life,” he said.
The businessman confessed that he was shocked when he was physically attracted to the fashion designer after their first date.
“We wound around each other, making out like teenagers, something I hadn’t done with a female since I was 16 years old,” he said. “Now, this has always amazed me: There was no effort, no reasoning, no what’s-going-on-here, no ambition, no anything. Other than sheer excitement, I thought, ‘Well, this is a surprise!’ I certainly didn’t feel, ‘Oh my God, what does this mean?’
“I was simply existing in the moment, a rare place for me.”
Von Furstenberg has yet to comment on her husband’s public admission, with her hiding away from the spotlight at one of the couple’s many lavish properties.
In addition to their long-lasting marriage, the couple boast an impressive real estate portfolio that perfectly captures their unique relationship.
Connecticut retreat
The fashion designer set down some roots in Connecticut while she was in her 20s. Her property there, which she has named Cloudwalk, is where she and Diller spent the majority of their time.
Although she keeps many details about her home life private, she has previously shared a glimpse of her property.
It features a resort-style pool and lush landscaping, including a sprawling garden and a giant lipstick sculpture made out of a tree trunk.
The 55.65-acre property comes with five buildings, which were built over 60 years ago.
She has previously revealed that there is a studio for herself and Diller on the property.
There are also chickens and 120 apple trees.
Manhattan pad
The fashion designer also holds the keys to a six-story, 35,000-square-foot structure in the heart of Manhattan, west of the iconic High Line park.
Architects Amale Andraos and Dan Wood were hired for the project when she acquired the property in 2006.
Inside, a stunning concrete staircase connects the ground floor, which houses an eclectic workspace, to the top floor, which boasts a 900-square-foot primary suite with a terrace.
“We wanted a shaft of light that would cut through the building diagonally, and we knew it needed to originate at the top of the building. We were inspired by the bold, faceted jewelry Diane was doing at the time,” Andraos previously told Architectural Digest.
Elsewhere, there are mirrors adorned with 3,000 Swarovski crystals.
Von Furstenberg sourced much of the loft’s decor from her Connecticut property and from Paris, selecting stunning pieces of art to stare at while lounging at home.
Beverly Hills estates
The couple also enjoy living the high life in one of their two Beverly Hills, CA, properties.
They purchased their first Beverly Hills home in 1985 for $850,000 and then the property adjacent to it two years later for $385,000. These mansions are in the exclusive 90210 ZIP code.
The traditional-style home features a more humble appearance compared with their other properties and comes with wood paneled ceilings, neutral tones, and white walls.
There is also a chef’s kitchen with state-of-the-art appliances.
The exterior of the home is white brick.
Miami property
In April 2024, Diller became the latest A-lister to make a move to the Sunshine State when he splashed out $45 million on a waterfront property in Miami.
The power couple closed the deal on the 1.1-acre lot in mid-April.
The empty lot sits in an exclusive residential community on North Bay Road.
The lot previously held a 13,600-square-foot home, which was razed before the couple purchased it.
