Diane von Fürstenberg’s husband: Barry Diller makes homosexuality public

At the age of 83, Barry Diller, the husband of Diane von Fürstenberg (78), speaks openly about his sexual orientation for the first time – and clears up with many years of speculation. In one he confirms his homosexuality, but at the same time emphasizes deep love for the fashion designer. “I never questioned my basic sexual orientation,” writes Diller. “I was just afraid of the reaction of others.”

In his post, Diller describes the difficulties that he experienced as a homosexual man in the entertainment industry of the 1960s and 1970s. He speaks of a “tyrannical fear of discovery” that severely restricted his personal life. Despite the professional success, the media mogul lived a “mostly kardy and work-determined existence”.

The billionaire explains that in his youth he already had men and hid in hotels and rented apartments. He very much stressed him that he had to lead a “fake life”. “I lived with the silence, but not with hypocrisy,” writes Diller about his self -imposed rules. “I would never pretend that I would do nothing to let someone believe that I would lead a heterosexual life.”

Although he was always sure of his homosexuality, the love for Diane von Fürstenberg is still real. “There were many men in my life, but only one woman, and she only came to my life at 33,” said Diller. The relationship with the designer has “many complex aspects” with which he himself never expected: “I am well aware that this part of my life triggered confusion and a lot of speculation. A relationship that began with indifference and then developed into a romance that was as natural for us, surprised us and everyone else. It is really the miracle of my life.”

In the article, Barry Diller finally reports in detail about the unusual love story, which began in 1974 at a dinner. “It was immediately an explosion of unbridled passion that continued for years,” he describes the beginnings of her relationship. “And yes, I also liked men, but that was not in conflict with my love for Diane. I can’t explain it to myself or the world. It just happened without motif or manipulation.”

Fürstenberg and Diller were initially a couple until 1981, but separated with actor Richard Gere (75) after their affair. They found each other again ten years later and married on February 2, 2001, 26 years after their first meeting.

Diane von Fürstenberg reacts calmly to her husband’s essay. In one that appeared shortly after the publication, the artist says that she does not consider the text as a coming-out, but as a Diller’s way to tell the truth. “For me, the secret to honor life and love is never to lie,” she explains. “Today he opened up to the world. He opened up to me 50 years ago.”

“We never had to talk about our relationship, we lived our relationship,” emphasizes from Fürstenberg. That is why the speculation about Diller’s sexuality could never have been able to harm them. This is also confirmed by Diller in his essay: “What others think, sometimes irritates us, but mostly amused us. We know it, our family knows and our friends know. The rest is chatter.”