Barry Diller Comes Out as Gay at 83 – Wife Diane Stands By Him

Barry Diller, the billionaire husband of fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg, opened up about his sexuality at 83 years old. The media mogul embraced his truth in an essay published by New York Magazine on Tuesday, May 6, 2025.

Diller penned the emotional piece where he detailed the “many complex aspects” of his relationship with his 78-year-old spouse. He bravely admitted that he had only been interested in men until he met von Furstenberg.

While there have been a good many men in my life, there has only ever been one woman, and she didn’t come into my life until I was 33 years old.

Diller Says Sexuality Does Not Affect His Love for His Wife

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Diller admitted that before meeting von Furstenberg, he had never publicly come out as gay. At the time, he vowed to “live with silence, but not hypocrisy.” Still, there were some who took notice.

The speculations only subsided when things got serious between him and von Furstenberg. The couple, who separated in 1981 and reunited in 1991, eventually tied the knot in 2001. Diller has only been married to von Furstenberg.

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.

Despite his sexuality, Diller maintained that it never affected his love for his wife. He added:

And, 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. It simply happened to both of us without motive or manipulation. In some cosmic way we were destined for each other.

Diane Supports Husband

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Meanwhile, von Furstenberg went on to address her husband’s coming out. In an interview with The New York Times, the designer said she did not see the story but found out about it from Diller himself.

All I can tell you is Barry and I have had an incredible life, love for 50 years. We have been lovers, friends, married, everything. And, you know, for me, the secret to honor life, and to honor love, is never to lie. Today, he opened to the world. To me, he opened 50 years ago.

Diller’s memoir, “Who Knew” comes out on May 20, 2025.