In a world obsessed with neat little boxes, Diane von Furstenberg and her husband, Barry Diller, have spent half a century setting the box on fire. Honestly, if you’re looking for a traditional, picket-fence kind of marriage, you’ve come to the wrong place. This is a story about power, fluid identities, and a type of loyalty that makes most modern romances look like a quick swipe on an app.
Diane—the woman who literally wrapped the world in jersey fabric—and Barry, the media titan who basically invented the "movie of the week," aren't just a "power couple." They are an institution. But as of 2026, the conversation around them has shifted. It’s no longer just about the wrap dress or the billions made at IAC and Expedia. It’s about a revelation that dropped in 2025 and changed how the public views Diane von Furstenberg and husband Barry Diller forever.
The Truth About Barry Diller’s Coming Out
In early 2025, Barry Diller released a memoir titled Who Knew. It wasn't your typical corporate autobiography. At 83 years old, the man who co-founded Fox Broadcasting and ran Paramount Pictures finally said the quiet part out loud: he’s gay.
Wait. Let’s back up.
People had whispered about Barry for decades. It was the worst-kept secret in the high-society circles of Manhattan and Los Angeles. But Diller’s admission wasn't a "gotcha" moment or a scandal. It was a 50-year confession of a man who loved a woman deeply while also being attracted to men. In his book, he described their relationship as a "miracle." He admitted to being afraid of the reaction of others for most of his life, but he was never afraid of Diane.
Diane’s response? It was pure DVF. She told Variety and The New York Times that she had known for 50 years. "What's the difference?" she asked. For her, the labels people use to define sexuality are just noise. She didn't marry a "straight man" or a "gay man"—she married Barry.
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A Marriage of Two "Gay" Men?
Diane has this incredible, almost nonchalant way of looking at the men in her life. She famously joked, "I married two gay men, okay?"
Before Barry, there was Prince Egon von Fürstenberg. They met in 1965 at the University of Geneva. He was a blond, handsome German prince with a Fiat fortune in his bloodline; she was the daughter of a Holocaust survivor who had been freed from Auschwitz just 18 months before Diane was born. They were the "It Couple" of the 1970s, frequenting Studio 54 and living a life of high-octane glamour.
Egon was openly bisexual. They had an open marriage before "ethical non-monogamy" was a trendy buzzword. They had two children, Prince Alexandre and Princess Tatiana, but the marriage eventually dissolved in the early '70s because, as Diane put it, her success became too big and the intimacy had faded into a "picture of superficiality."
Despite the split, they stayed close until his death in 2004. Diane even kept his name, turning it into the global brand we know today. She understood early on that a man’s sexuality didn't dictate his ability to be a life partner, a father, or a soulmate.
The 26-Year Wait for "I Do"
The timeline of Diane von Furstenberg and husband Barry Diller is a long, winding road. They first met in 1974. Barry was a young executive at Paramount, and Diane was already the Queen of the Wrap Dress. He was "insistent," as she recalls. He called her constantly. He picked her up in limousines.
They were lovers in the late '70s, but then they drifted. They separated in 1981, partly because Diane had a brief, headline-grabbing affair with Richard Gere. Barry admitted in his memoir that the tryst made him feel like a fool. They didn't speak for years.
Then came 1991. They reconnected, and the "passion exploded" all over again. But they didn't rush to the altar. Diane was a fiercely independent woman who didn't feel she "needed" a husband. It wasn't until 2001—26 years after they first met—that they finally tied the knot at a surprise City Hall ceremony for Barry’s birthday.
Why Their Relationship Works (The Unconventional Logic)
- Independence is Non-Negotiable: They don't live in each other's pockets. Diane has her world; Barry has his.
- Radical Honesty: Barry opened up to Diane about his attraction to men five decades ago. There were no "closets" between them.
- Shared Legacy: From the High Line in New York to their massive yacht, Eos, they build things together.
- The Family Unit: Barry didn't just marry Diane; he stepped into the lives of Alexandre and Tatiana. He’s been a staple in their lives since they were kids.
Dealing with the "Beard" Rumors
For years, skeptics claimed their marriage was a "business arrangement" or that Diane was a "beard" for a gay billionaire. If you look at the photos of them at the Met Gala or walking the docks of their Little Island project, that theory falls apart.
Barry wrote in Who Knew that their romance was an "explosion of passion." He was clear that while he had many relationships with men, Diane was the only woman he ever loved. It’s a nuance that many people struggle to grasp: that human connection can be more powerful than a rigid sexual orientation.
The Diller-von Furstenberg Legacy in 2026
Today, the couple continues to be a force in philanthropy and urban development. Their foundation has poured hundreds of millions into New York City. They’ve donated the majority of their wealth through The Giving Pledge.
Diane, now 79, and Barry, 83, are still traveling the world. They still hike, they still swim in the sea, and they still attend the biggest events in the world as a united front. Their story teaches us that marriage doesn't have to look a certain way to be "real." It doesn't have to follow a script.
Actionable Insights for the Modern Romantic
- Define Your Own Success: Don't let societal expectations of what a "husband" or "wife" should be dictate your happiness. Diane and Barry prove that unconventionality can lead to longevity.
- Prioritize Friendship: Both Diane and Barry credit their long gap as "just friends" as the foundation that allowed their marriage to survive the later years.
- Embrace Evolution: People change. Interests shift. A 50-year relationship requires the space for both partners to grow and, sometimes, to reveal truths they weren't ready to share decades earlier.
- Value Radical Transparency: The secret to their 24-year marriage (and 50-year bond) was that there were no surprises between them, even if there were surprises for the public.
To understand Diane von Furstenberg and husband Barry Diller, you have to stop looking for a traditional narrative. They are a testament to the fact that love is a choice you make every day, regardless of what the rest of the world thinks they know about you. Their bond isn't built on a label; it’s built on 50 years of showing up.