Diane von Fürstenberg Marks 50 Years With Husband After His Coming Out

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Diane von Fürstenberg’s decadeslong love story with Barry Diller continues to unfold.

The couple got married in 2001, but their relationship began years earlier, as the designer recently shared in a touching social media post.

She celebrated her 50th anniversary with Barry on October 25th, sharing on Instagram, ‘Today marks the day we fell in love!’ She fondly added, ‘He opened his heart to me and never closed it!’

And the 78-year-old has clearly embraced every chapter of her life with the businessman.

She celebrated the start of a wonderful and loving relationship, writing, “The first day of a long, colorful, happy journey… UNCONDITIONAL LOVE ❤️❤️❤️.” She also expressed gratitude to someone named BD.

In his recent memoir, Who Knew, 83-year-old Barry shared personal details about his relationship with a famous fashion icon. He clarified rumors about their marriage and also revealed he is gay.

He explained in his book that people often saw Diane and him as just friends, but he insisted their relationship was much more. He described it not as a simple friendship, but as a long-lasting, intense romantic connection.

He continued, explaining that he was attracted to men as well, but that didn’t change his feelings for Diane. He couldn’t understand how they connected, admitting it wasn’t something either of them planned or forced. He felt they were simply meant to be together.

Although Barry’s confession surprised everyone else, it wasn’t a surprise to him. Diane had recently confirmed that things at home hadn’t changed.

In an interview with Variety on October 16th, she expressed confusion, saying, “I don’t get what the difference is. But honestly, it doesn’t matter. It’s just a silly question, and I apologize for even asking.”

Diane also mentioned her past marriage to Prince Egon von Fürstenberg, who later revealed he was bisexual, but she didn’t seem bothered by it either.

She explained, ‘I married two men who happen to be gay, and honestly, I don’t see their sexuality as something that changes anything for me.’

Keep reading to see what more celebrity couples have said about their long-lasting marriages…

In their 2020 book, What Makes a Marriage Last, Hermann revealed he never expected to share so much laughter in his marriage to Marlo Thomas. He described a consistent focus on joy as a core part of who she is. He believes their long-lasting relationship thrives because they accept each other completely, which he calls “grace.”

Finding happiness is essential, even after disagreements. Hermann explained that after a heated argument, one of them will usually try to lighten the mood with a joke – often about the very thing they were fighting about. He described it as a way of saying, ‘I might not admit I was wrong, but can we start to reconnect and find common ground?’ When they can do that, it’s a strong indication that they’re on their way to resolving the issue.

They’ve managed to avoid major changes in their relationship by following the same advice they received before getting married in 2003. Even with five children, they prioritize weekly date nights and have chosen to connect in ways other than watching TV.

Chip says the best advice he can give is to relentlessly pursue the person you love – to act like a “hornet” after them. After twenty years, he still feels like he’s trying to win her over on a second date. He jokes that while she could be unfaithful, it won’t be because he stopped showing her affection, forgetting special occasions, or telling her he loves her.

Kevin Bacon jokingly advises against taking relationship advice from celebrities, a sentiment echoed by his and Kyra Sedgwick’s playful motto: “Keep the fights clean and the sex dirty.” They use this phrase to quickly shut down any further questions about their 36-year marriage.

In reality, they prioritize resolving disagreements quickly and avoid prolonged arguments. As Sedgwick explained, they focus on finding solutions rather than “winning” a fight, because they simply dislike arguing. They actively work to repair things because fighting is unpleasant. Ultimately, she emphasized, they are committed to making their marriage work no matter what—there’s no backup plan.

After over 37 years of marriage, the actors have learned how to argue constructively. As the Family Ties alum explained, Tracy and he avoid bringing up past hurts during disagreements. He notes that some couples target each other’s weaknesses, almost as a game, but they don’t do that.

They do argue sometimes, and he admits he often wants to immediately take back something hurtful he’s said, but he knows that doesn’t solve anything. Instead, he lets his wife take the lead and gives her space when she needs it. She, in turn, tries to be understanding, reminding herself that even if he says something thoughtless, he’s a good person and likely didn’t intend to hurt her feelings.

In December 2024, ahead of their 40th wedding anniversary, Curtis shared on Today that her husband still makes her laugh more than anyone else. She jokingly added that he must find something to like about her, even if she isn’t sure what it is.

Neil Patrick Harris believes the key to his long-lasting relationship is accepting that relationships are constantly changing and hard to define. After 21 years together, navigating career changes (including his partner David Burtka’s cookbook release in 2019), raising twins Gideon and Harper, and facing life’s challenges, Harris explained that marriage is never static. He described how even intimacy evolves, requiring couples to find new ways to connect and reignite attraction as they age. Ultimately, he shared that they’ve learned to fall in love with each other repeatedly, but in different ways, as their connection shifts and deepens – sometimes focusing on personality, and other times on physical attraction. He says it’s a constant process of rediscovery.

The comedic duo genuinely believe their laughter extends their lives, not just over the nearly two decades they’ve been together. As the actress from Can You Ever Forgive Me? explained, they playfully calculate how much time a particularly hilarious moment adds to their lifespan. “Whenever we have a really good laugh, especially one that leaves us breathless, we estimate how many months it adds to our lives,” she said. “I’m always keeping a running total—like, ‘That one was worth two months!'”

They also limit how long disagreements can last. Following the advice to never go to bed angry, Falcone shared that she tried letting an argument linger overnight once, but realized she’d forgotten what she was even upset about. She believes it’s pointless to dissect an argument when everyone is tired or has had something to drink. She’s never had a late-night argument end with a satisfying resolution and a truce.

Both having been married previously, the couple met in 1995 and quickly found themselves blending families, each with two children. The Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist actor realized early on there wasn’t a guide for step-parenting. She explained, “They already had mothers—I wasn’t trying to replace that. I just wanted to know what they needed from me.” She decided to be a supportive presence, saying, “Everyone benefits from having a cheerleader in their corner, so that’s what I aimed to be. I didn’t try to set rules, discipline them, or teach them right from wrong – they already had parents for that.”

The Cheers actor fully agreed, adding, “It’s smart to offer yourself as a friend. Let them know you won’t discipline or judge, but that you will spend time with them and be there for them. That’s all you can do: genuinely be present in their lives.”

I’ve been following their love story for years, and it’s truly inspiring. When civil unions became legal in Britain, David and David – that’s Sir Elton John and his husband, David Furnish – were among the first to commit, having a ceremony on December 21st, 2005. They celebrated again nine years later, legally marrying on that same date. But the anniversary they really cherish isn’t the legal one; it’s the memory of how they first met back in 1993 at a dinner party at Elton’s place in Windsor. A friend of his had put them on the guest list, and the rest is history!

What I find especially sweet is their weekly ritual. Every Saturday, no matter where they are in the world, they write each other a handwritten note. They estimate they’ve written around 1,352 letters now! David Furnish says there’s something incredibly special and genuine about handwriting, and the cards give them a chance to reflect on the past week and look forward to the next. Elton agrees completely, saying that open communication is key to a long-lasting, successful relationship. It’s just beautiful to see!

After quietly building a 40-year marriage (“Six months before I met him, I kept dreaming about the person I would marry,”), they’ve made a conscious effort to keep their relationship strong, even as their lives have changed.

“Marriage is our top priority, and we actively work at it, refocusing when we lose our way,” she explained. If she could offer one piece of advice, it would be to always prioritize that connection. “Ultimately, I would do anything for her – face any challenge, make any sacrifice. I might mess up and even make her angry, but I would never let anything come between us,” he vowed.

He added that if you believe marriage is key to your happiness, “you’ll protect it at all costs.”

ABC News reporter Roberts admits she doesn’t enjoy casual check-in calls. “I don’t like it when people call just to ask how I’m doing,” she explained. However, a close friend, who frequently calls her, changed her perspective.

One friend pointed out, “Maybe he just feels reassured when he hears your voice, like everything is okay.” Roberts realized this was a sweet thought she hadn’t considered before. “If it makes him happy, then it should matter to me,” she said.

Now, she takes a moment to be kind, saying something like, “I’m busy, but what’s new with you? Good, I’m glad to hear it. I have to go now. Talk to you later, love you.” She says this small gesture makes a huge difference to him, and it’s worth taking a few minutes to be supportive. The couple celebrated their 29th anniversary in September 2024.

Their almost 30-year marriage started building its foundation early on, even amidst disagreements—like the time the actor famously threw the talk show host’s ring out the window, making it feel like the end. The talk show host explained that in the beginning of a marriage, small issues can quickly become major problems, whether it’s stress about money, work, or raising children while exhausted. But her husband taught her to step away and calm down, realizing that not every argument is a dealbreaker. Now, as parents of three, they’re enjoying the rewards of that lesson. The actor believes that truly happy couples have faced difficult times together and overcome them, and that’s something to celebrate.

She describes herself as an introvert, almost a loner, while he’s incredibly outgoing – he jokingly calls himself “the mayor of everywhere.” She’s a bit messy, and he’s a perfectionist, as she put it. But after being married since 2003, they’ve learned to accept each other’s differences.

That’s the advice the lead actress from How to Get Away With Murder gives to friends who are getting married. She explained that marriage doesn’t begin at the wedding ceremony. It starts when you realize you love someone deeply, even though they have a quality that you know will frustrate you. It’s that moment of accepting both the good and the challenging parts of a person, and still choosing to love them, that truly begins a marriage.

Maintaining a long-term relationship, like any lasting over 50 years, requires quickly resolving conflicts. Jane Fonda, star of Grace and Frankie, often takes the lead in making amends. She explains it’s easy because she deeply loves her partner and hates to see them feel alone, even for a short time.

Ideally, she says, it’s best to avoid hurtful words altogether. Her main advice is to remember that saying something mean when you’re upset will ultimately make you feel worse. You’ll regret the hurtful things you said to someone you love, essentially experiencing the anger twice – which isn’t good for your health or the relationship.

It’s fitting that Jerry, a former judge, says his long marriage to the iconic Judge Judy works because he generally lets her get her way. For her, the key is accepting someone for who they are, even when you don’t always agree with the outcome. Their marriage initially ended in 1990 because he couldn’t provide the support she needed after her father passed away. However, after remarrying a year later, she understood he wouldn’t suddenly become a homemaker or take charge of events.

She explained simply that unhappiness in relationships often comes from trying to change your partner. “You can try, but they’ll always resent it,” she said. “Don’t marry someone expecting them to be different than they are.”

Oh my gosh, Terry O’Quinn – yes, the John Locke from Lost – is completely devoted to his wife! He actually told TopMob News recently how he’d be totally lost without her. He’s been traveling all over for work since 1993, when they got married, and she’s just been the rock of their family, keeping everything grounded. He said she’s amazing, and honestly, you can just feel how much he loves and appreciates her. It’s so sweet!

The actor described his wife as incredibly patient and said she and their two sons help him stay grounded, no matter the situation.

“They shape my values,” he added. “It’s great to have that perspective and North Star.”

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2025-10-27 01:18