Additional Coverage:
- Fox billionaire Barry Diller opens up about sexuality after 24-year marriage to Diane von Fürstenberg (the-independent.com)
Media Mogul Barry Diller Opens Up About Sexuality in New Memoir
In an intimate excerpt from his upcoming memoir, Who Knew, Barry Diller, the 83-year-old co-founder of Fox Broadcasting Company and husband of fashion icon Diane von Fürstenberg, candidly discusses his sexuality for the first time. Diller details his lifelong attraction to men, while also emphasizing the enduring strength of his 50-year relationship with von Fürstenberg.
“I never questioned my sexuality’s influence on my life, only the potential reactions of others,” Diller reveals. He describes the powerful connection he felt with von Fürstenberg from the beginning, stating, “When my romance with Diane began, I never questioned its biological imperative.” He acknowledges the speculation surrounding his personal life, admitting, “I’m well aware that this part of my life has caused confusion and lots of speculation.”
Diller recounts his early experiences exploring his attraction to men, from clandestine encounters in his youth to a memorable trip to Fire Island. Despite his professional success, he admits that the fear of exposure significantly impacted his personal life. “I had so much early career success…but fear of exposure still had a tyrannical hold on me,” he confesses.
He developed coping mechanisms to manage his fear, compartmentalizing his feelings and creating personal rules to avoid hypocrisy. While acknowledging the lack of courage in these actions, he explains that he chose silence over outright deception. “I would live with silence, but not with hypocrisy,” he states.
Diller also sheds light on the early days of his relationship with von Fürstenberg, explaining his initial reluctance to define it publicly. He chose to let their connection unfold naturally, coinciding with the rise of von Fürstenberg’s fashion empire.
He admits to initial difficulties with intimacy, questioning his emotional preparedness for a deep relationship. “I didn’t just want her, I needed her,” he reflects, acknowledging the conflict with his self-protective instincts.
He dismisses long-standing rumors that their relationship was platonic, emphasizing the passionate connection they shared. “We weren’t just friends.
We aren’t just friends,” Diller affirms. He concludes by clarifying that his attraction to men never conflicted with his love for his wife.
“I also liked guys, but that was not a conflict with my love for Diane,” he states.
While the couple has been together for five decades, they do not have children together. Von Fürstenberg has two children from her previous marriage.