Diane von Furstenberg Celebrates 50 Years of Love and Resilience with Barry Diller’s Coming Out Journey

Diane von Furstenberg is marking a significant milestone—half a century—with her enduring partner, Barry Diller, following his public revelation earlier this year.

On Saturday, October 25, the 78-year-old fashion icon took to Instagram to commemorate this special occasion. She posted a heartfelt series of vintage photos of herself and Diller, 83, with the caption, “Today marks 50 years since the BIG BANG!!! The day Barry and I fell head over heels! He opened his heart to me and has kept it open ever since!”

Continuing her tribute, she expressed, “The start of a long, colorful, and joyous journey …. UNCONDITIONAL LOVE ❤️❤️❤️ thank you BD ❤️👍🙏.”

Though von Furstenberg and the media magnate tied the knot in 2001, their romantic history stretches back more than five decades. This period began after von Furstenberg’s initial marriage to Prince Egon von Fürstenberg, which lasted from 1969 until 1983. Egon passed away in 2004 at the age of 57.

Earlier this year, Diller opened up about his relationship with the fashion designer, and his sexuality, in his memoir, Who Knew, an excerpt of which was published by New York Magazine in May.

Diller wrote that “there are many complex aspects of my relationship” with von Furstenberg.

“We met in 1974, separated in 1981, reunited in 1991, married in 2001, and have spent 50 years intertwined with each other in a unique and complete love,” he wrote.

“I have never questioned my sexuality’s basic authority over my life (I was only afraid of the reaction of others),” he continued. “And 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?’”

Diller said his relationship with von Furstenberg “began with indifference,” before turning “into a romance as natural to us as breathing.”

“Even though as the years went on, I began to be realistic and understood that ‘everyone knows,’ I never wanted to make any declarations,” he wrote. “Of course 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.”

“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 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.”

Earlier this month, von Furstenberg addressed her husband’s coming out in an interview with Variety.

“What’s the difference? I don’t understand,” she responded when asked about being a “woman married to a man who’s gay.”

“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,” she added. (Von Furstenberg’s first husband identified as bisexual.)

In the same interview, von Furstenberg described how she first met Diller at a party in 1974.

“He turned out to be my soulmate. I didn’t think of it at first. He was a man about town. I was giving a party for Sue Mengers, and he came,” she said. “I was interested in being a good friend; I never thought it would be anything else. Then it turned to passion. He was very insistent.”