Barry Diller Comes Out as Gay After Decades of Marriage to Diane von Fürstenberg

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Barry Diller is giving a small glimpse into his world.

After being married to Diane von Fürstenberg for over 20 years, following a long-term romance, he openly discussed his relationship and revealed that he is gay.

In a revealing passage from my memoir “Who New,” published in the esteemed New York Magazine on May 6th, I delve into decades of my life spent immersed in the tale of Diane and myself. It wasn’t about us being romantic partners, oh no, not at all. We were more than friends, we were a profound connection that transcended the boundaries of mere friendship. There was an intense, enduring passion between us that simply couldn’t be contained or defined by the labels society often imposes. This burning bond has been the cornerstone of our relationship for years.

He went on to say, “Indeed, I had feelings for other men, but that didn’t clash with my affection for Diane. To be honest, I can’t wrap my head around it, nor could I ever fully explain it to anyone else. It just seemed to unfold naturally, without any deliberate intention or manipulation on either part. In a strange, almost fated way, Diane and I were meant for each other.

In today’s perspective on sexuality, he noted that sexual identities tend to be more flexible and organic, free from the strictly demarcated paths that were common in the previous century.

Initially, when Barry encountered Diane back in 1974, it’s important to note that she was a woman who had children with Egon von Fürstenberg, namely Alexander von Fürstenberg (age 55) and Tatiana von Fürstenberg (age 54). At this time, Barry had only been romantically involved with men.

He shared that he had always trusted his sexuality to guide his life (though he was apprehensive about others’ reactions), but when he fell in love with Diane, he didn’t question if its strength as a heterosexual relationship was equal to what he had felt before. When it happened, his first thought was, “Who would have thought?

I’ll confess, my infatuation with this renowned fashion designer, whose romantic journey with me was interrupted from ’81 to ’91, undeniably stirred up a whirlwind of uncertainty and conjecture.

Barry penned, “Our connection started off casual, but soon blossomed into something as effortless as our daily breath, leaving both of us, and those around us, in awe. He described it as the most extraordinary event in his life.

Despite previous speculation about his romantic orientations that were resolved when his relationship with Diane became public knowledge, he chose not to openly address this topic.

At that moment, many of us found ourselves in a state of exile, living in a restricted manner. In retrospect, I could have openly expressed my sexuality, much like others were doing, but I was one of those who were too afraid to do so due to the prevailing fear at the time.

Barry decided that he would “live in silence” but “not with hypocrisy.”

He clarified that he’d always be genuine, not pretending or acting for the sake of appearance. He assured everyone that he’d never give even a hint of leading people to think he was living a straight lifestyle.

So, Barry was especially surprised when he felt physically drawn to Diane on their first date.

He described the situation as “we circled each other, kissing passionately, something I hadn’t shared with another woman since I was 16,” he penned. “What intrigued me most was the lack of calculation, no deliberation, no confusion, no hidden agenda, no objectives. All I felt was raw excitement and a sense of surprise. I didn’t experience any panic like, ‘Oh my goodness, what does this imply?’

Instead, as he put it, “I was simply existing in the moment, a rare place for me.”

Keep reading to see more stars who’ve shared their coming out story.

The Dance Moms alum didn’t give it a second thought when she came out in a 2021 Instagram story. 

In an interview with People in October 2023, she shared, “I emerged as myself when I was 17 years old, but it wasn’t until later that I realized how significant that moment was.” She further explained, “At the time, I didn’t understand why it was something to be afraid of.

She went on to say, “Indeed, there was an abundance of positivity, love, and acceptance, but sadly, there was also negativity. And yes, I did suffer losses.” She added, “I couldn’t care less about the things, people, or even fans that I may have lost along the way… because it’s all part of who I am.

While the “Flowers” singer was never a big fan of labels, she came out as pansexual in 2016.

She shared with Variety in October 2016 that she’s had lifelong confusion about her own gender and sexual orientation. She disliked the term “bisexual” because it seemed to categorize her, and she never considers someone as male or female in her thoughts.

She added, “Additionally, I’ve never viewed my nipple covers or personal matters as being sexualized. It was around the fifth or sixth grade when my understanding began to broaden. My initial romantic involvement in life was with a woman.

For Matt, confessing his true self to his traditional Christian relatives signaled the beginning of a fresh chapter in his existence.

Speaking to OUT Magazine, the former star of White Collar, who is married to Simon Halls and has three children with him, emphasized that revealing his truth was an exceptionally significant event. He explained that his life can be divided into two distinct periods: before he came out and after. The choices he made and the way he lived before and after this revelation are like day and night, vastly different from each other.

The singer known for “Good Luck, Babe!” admitted that she doesn’t always exude the self-assuredness and ease one might think. Her Midwestern upbringing significantly influenced this aspect of her personality.

She shared with Rolling Stone that she had been fearful of openly gay individuals due to her upbringing, stating: “I realized that people dislike flamboyantly gay men because it embodies femininity, and unfortunately, there’s a deep-rooted prejudice against women. Small observations like that make you think, ‘Wow, this is just so messed up.’

She went on to say, “There’s been a lot of re-learning needed, and there are still aspects that leave me perplexed. This is why I sometimes feel uneasy about being gay. I can’t understand why this is such a challenge for me, but it shouldn’t be, and I must accept that there’s something inside me I need to accept.

Previously featured contestant on “The Bachelorette” publicly disclosed on the talk show, “The View,” that she is involved in a dedicated romantic relationship with another woman.

In the August 2023 episode, she mentioned that she had been choosing to keep this matter relatively personal due to its substantial nature and broader implications, as she’s in a relationship with a woman.

As I delved deeper into self-discovery, I couldn’t help but notice a growing voice within me, one that seemed to echo louder with each passing day. Initially, I was unsure if I should heed its call, as there was a sense of embarrassment and confusion surrounding it. However, I recognized the importance of acknowledging this inner guidance, understanding its source, and learning to navigate through the feelings of shame that accompanied it.

In January 2024, the actress known for “Mean Girls” publicly announced on an episode of “Saturday Night Live” that she now identifies as a lesbian. Her friends were instrumental in helping her make this significant personal decision.

She shared with Billboard several months later that those surrounding her were primarily nonbinary individuals, transgender friends, or lesbians. She admitted, “I feel incredibly joyful in your presence and I find myself wanting to identify as a lesbian among you.

The former late-night host officially came out as queer on the last day of Pride month in 2024. 

“On the final day of PRIDE month, a moment that might surprise no one, I’ve chosen to publicly affirm my identity,” I shared on an Instagram post dated June 2024, donning a tank top emblazoned with the word ‘Queer’ upfront.

Feel confident in your identity, tiny ones! I certainly do! And I eagerly anticipate experiencing more kinds of bias!” she exclaimed.

Previously known Disney Channel star confessed that prior to announcing her sexual orientation, she harbored apprehension about openly identifying herself as a member of the LGBTQ+ community.

For years, I’ve subtly expressed my sexuality, fearful of openly declaring it to the world. However, last year, I took a bold step when I released a lyric video for ‘We Belong’. The visuals were line drawings of people falling in love, and surprisingly, they depicted a man and a woman kissing passionately – an unusual yet significant moment for me. [I shared this with Gay Times in May 2021.]

In her explanation, she mentioned that when the song was released, many people perceived it as a powerful anthem for the LGBTQ+ community. She found herself in a situation where fans assumed she was intentionally hinting at being queer, a practice known as queerbaiting. Later, on Instagram Live, she clarified her sexuality by saying, “I want to make it clear that I am indeed queer and I want to express this aspect of myself through my music because it’s a significant part of who I am.

The “Heart Attack” singer came out as non-binary in a 2021 Instagram post.

In her post, she expressed that each new day brings a fresh chance to shape our identity according to our desires. Over time, you’ve witnessed my personal growth – from the highs and lows to all the shades in between. My life’s journey wasn’t just about me; it was also for those who watched me through the lenses of the cameras.

Today, I’m thrilled to delve deeper into my life with all of you – I am honored to announce that I identify as non-binary and will be using they/them pronouns from hereon. Demi, who has returned to using she/her pronouns, shared this further. This change is the result of considerable healing and introspection. I’m on a journey of self-discovery and don’t consider myself an authority or spokesperson. By revealing this to you, I am exposing another layer of vulnerability within me.

A graduate from the Bachelor university has been in a relationship with singer Hayley Kiyoko since 2018. Despite this, she didn’t announce her sexuality openly until four years into their relationship. Although it felt strange initially when people learned about it, she recognized the significance of sharing her truth publicly and its impact on others.

She shared with TopMob News in June 2022, “I understood that this issue is much more extensive than just me and my romantic relationship, as it extends beyond my personal feelings. If it empowers someone to embrace who they love without fear or discomfort, then its impact surpasses my own apprehensions.” It’s truly humbling to see the impact of something seemingly ordinary like love, and sharing that experience.

Three years following his family’s awareness at the age of 15, Troye openly disclosed his experiences in a YouTube video. Looking back, he noted that his choice to reveal himself was prompted by a significant turning point in his life.

Back in February 2022, he shared with People that he was on the verge of sealing his record deal. What he yearned for was control over his own image. He didn’t want anyone snatching that away from him. Instead, he desired to explore the gay scene, visit clubs, and meet guys. Moreover, he wanted to compose heartfelt and authentic love songs.

In a natural and easy-to-understand manner, The star of Selling Sunset, who is hitched to singer G Flip, underscores the significance of putting yourself first.

In Chrishell’s words to TopMob News, she emphasized that if someone genuinely cares for you, their joy should always take precedence over their personal beliefs. She advised against molding yourself to fit another person’s vision of your life. Instead, she reminded us that it’s your life, and you only have one, so live it on your terms.

The TikTok user, who proudly identified as gay while attending an all-boys high school, utilizes his social media presence to inspire others to embrace their true selves confidently.

In an interview with TopMob News in October 2022, Chris stated, “My identity might be a subject of debate, depending on the viewers. Therefore, I aim to use this platform actively and passively to clarify my identity and make it more accepted and ordinary.

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2025-05-06 20:23