Diane von Furstenberg Responds to Husband Barry Diller's Public Coming Out

Renowned fashion creative Diane von Furstenberg has shared her perspective following the public announcement of her husband of two decades, Barry Diller, identifying as gay.

“What distinction does it make? I fail to comprehend,” the 78-year-old von Furstenberg remarked to Variety in an article published on Thursday, October 16, addressing inquiries about her marriage to a gay man. “It alters nothing. My apologies — that’s an illogical query. I’ve been wed to two gay men, understand? I'm unsure why, but in my perception, they aren't gay, so it carries no significance.”

The celebrated fashion figure has entered matrimony on two occasions. Her first marriage was to the deceased Prince Egon von Fürstenberg, who openly identified as bisexual, lasting from 1969 until 1983. (Diane and Egon, who passed away in 2004 at 54, had two children together.) Following their separation, Diane began a relationship with Diller, currently 83, with whom she exchanged vows in 2001.

Diane commented on Diller’s revelation after he publicly shared details about his sexual orientation in a New York Magazine piece released in May, highlighting the “numerous intricate facets” of their union.

Diane von Furstenberg Reportedly Turned Down Threesome With Mick Jagger and David Bowie

“My sexuality's fundamental command over my existence has never been in doubt (my sole fear was of others' responses),” Diller penned then. “When my relationship with Diane commenced, I never doubted that its biological drive was just as potent in its heterosexual expression as its inverse had been previously. Upon its occurrence, my initial reaction was ‘Who would have thought?’”

He proceeded, “Despite the passage of years, as I started to grasp the reality that ‘everyone is aware,’ I still refrained from making any official statements. Certainly, I could have announced my sexual identity, emerging publicly as others were, but I was one of the many at that juncture who harbored too much apprehension to do so.”

Diller further elaborated on the impact of his sexual orientation on his connection with Diane.

“We were more than mere acquaintances. We are more than mere acquaintances. To put it simply, it was an eruption of intense emotion that endured for a long time,” he stated. “And, indeed, I also had an attraction to men, but this did not create a clash with my affection for Diane. I am unable to clarify it for myself or for others.”

Jonathan Groff Shared He Came Out to His Brother Following Encounter With ‘David’ Statue

Diller provided additional perspective on his journey of self-disclosure in his recently released memoir, Who Knew, a project that received Diane’s encouragement.

“Encouraging him? What precisely do you signify by encouraging him? Individuals perceive it in that manner. For me, it isn’t like that. I am uncertain,” Diane communicated to Variety. “Yes, I motivated him to produce that book, and yes, I prompted him to create the Audible [edition]. However, from my standpoint, the book's essence isn't solely that. It pertains to his life, and naturally, he confided in me instantly. For five decades, I was the sole individual he confided in, until he then authored the book.”

Diane and Diller maintained an intermittent relationship from 1981 to 1991, prior to their marriage a decade subsequent. As Diller observed in his New York article, the couple has shared their half-century together in “an unparalleled and profound affection.”

“We were not particularly traditional individuals, and our love was so evident both privately and publicly,” he further stated at that point. “However, we still attracted attention and speculation from those within the cinema and style industries. Yet, we largely disregarded everything except our companionship. Perhaps we did show off a little, savoring the spotlight.”