Diane von Furstenberg Celebrates 50 Years with Barry Diller After His Candid Sexuality Revelation

Fashion icon Diane von Furstenberg is commemorating half a century alongside her enduring partner, Barry Diller, following his recent public acknowledgment of his sexuality.

At 78, von Furstenberg posted a collection of nostalgic photographs featuring herself and Diller, 83, on Instagram this past Saturday, October 25. Accompanying the photo series, she captioned, “This marks 50 years since the BIG BANG!!! The moment Barry and I connected romantically! His heart became accessible and has remained so!”

The fashion designer continued, “The start of an extensive, vibrant, joyful adventure …. UNCONDITIONAL LOVE thank you BD.”

While von Furstenberg and the media titan officially wed in 2001, their relationship traces back over five decades, following von Furstenberg’s initial marriage to Prince Egon von Fürstenberg. (Their union lasted from 1969 to 1983. Egon passed away in 2004 at the age of 57.)

Diane von Furstenberg Declined Threesome With Mick Jagger and David Bowie

Earlier this year, Diller offered insights into his bond with the designer and details about his own sexual identity in his memoir, Who Knew, with a segment appearing in New York Magazine in May.

Diller detailed that their connection possesses “many complex aspects.”

He recounted, “We first met in 1974, parted ways in 1981, reconnected in 1991, married in 2001, and have spent 50 years interlocked in a unique and complete affection.”

He further elaborated, “I have never questioned the fundamental sway of my sexuality over my existence (my only fear was others’ reactions). And when my romantic involvement with Diane commenced, I never doubted that its biological imperative was as potent in its heterosexuality as its opposite had been. When it happened, my initial thought was, ‘Who knew?’”

Unlikely Celebrity Couples Over the Years

Diller noted that his relationship with von Furstenberg “started with indifference,” before evolving “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 penned. “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.”

He added, “We weren’t just friends. We aren’t just friends. Simply put, it was an eruption of passion that persisted for years. And, yes, I also had an attraction to men, but that was not in conflict with my love for Diane. I can&rsquot explain it to myself or to the world.”

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

Stars Who Are Non-Monogamous: Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, More

“What’s the distinction? I don’t grasp it,” she responded when queried about being a “woman married to a man who’s gay.”

She continued, “It changes nothing. I’m sorry — it’s a senseless inquiry. I married two gay men, alright? I’m not sure why, but to me, they aren’t gay, so it makes no difference.” (Von Furstenberg’s first spouse identified as bisexual.)

In the same conversation, von Furstenberg detailed her initial encounter with Diller at a 1974 gathering.

“He turned out to be my kindred spirit. I didn’t perceive it at first. He was a prominent figure in society. I was hosting a party for Sue Mengers, and he attended,” she recounted. “I was content with being a good friend; I never imagined it would become anything more. Then it transformed into passion. He was very persistent.”