Media executive Barry Diller, a central figure in Hollywood and fashion circles for decades, has addressed his sexuality and his marriage to designer Diane von Fürstenberg in an excerpt from an upcoming memoir. Diller wrote that while he has had relationships with men, von Fürstenberg is the only woman he has loved.
The writing details his personal journey, acknowledging speculation about his sexuality throughout his career. Diller, who led Paramount Pictures and Fox, described experiencing fear that revealing his attraction to men could hinder his professional path during the 1960s and 1970s.
He recounts instances from his youth, including anonymously seeking out other men and feeling overwhelmed by environments like Fire Island Pines. Diller states he chose to compartmentalize these feelings as his public profile grew, opting for silence over pretense.
Diller first met von Fürstenberg in 1974. He describes their initial interactions as indifferent, leading to an unexpected romance that surprised both of them. Their relationship became intertwined with their prominent public lives.
The couple had an on-again, off-again relationship for years, separating in 1981 and reuniting in 1991. They married in 2001. Diller characterizes their union as a "unique and complete love" that has spanned 50 years.
He reflects on adapting to family life with von Fürstenberg and her children, recounting moments that helped integrate him into a domestic setting he had previously lacked.
Diller pushes back against public perception that he and von Fürstenberg were merely best friends, stating their connection began with intense passion. He asserts that his attraction to men was not in conflict with his love for her, calling their relationship the "bedrock" of his life.
The memoir excerpt, titled "Who Knew," provides a look into the private life of a public figure long known for his business acumen in the media industry. The book is scheduled for publication in 2025.
"Plain and simple, it was an explosion of passion that kept up for years," Diller wrote of their early relationship.
