Movies

Ahead of his memoir, Barry Diller comes out publicly as gay — and in love with his wife

BBG News

83-year-old media tycoon Barry Diller is publicly acknowledging his sexual orientation as a gay man, concurrently disclosing his contented, multi-decade partnership with – and long-term marriage to – fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg.

As a devoted cinephile, I’ve spent decades immersed in tales of Diane and me – narratives that portrayed us as inseparable companions, not romantic partners. We were more than just friends; we are more than just friends. To put it simply, our bond was an intense, enduring flame that has burned bright for years on end.

Hollywood Inc.

Following the cancellation of the Paramount sale, media magnate Shari Redstone signaled her openness to considering new proposals for her controlling company, National Amusements Inc., which oversees Paramount’s majority voting shares.

The piece is a prelude to his memoir, “Who Knew,” due out in two weeks from Simon & Schuster.

In a different wording, he narrates about his disastrous initial encounter with her at a gathering in 1974, where she ignored him entirely. However, their subsequent meeting at her apartment during Sue Mengers’ birthday party was remarkable. Despite being hesitant, he attended the event. He expressed that after this encounter, he felt certain that he would meet Von Furstenberg again, and nothing could prevent it. At that time, he was 33 years old.

In the initial stages of our relationship, I chose not to share any details with others,” Diller penned down. “I preferred to keep it private as I hadn’t and couldn’t clearly define it, and I had always been cautious about discussing my personal matters. Moreover, I felt disclosing it now would be taking advantage of people’s curiosity.” He mentioned that his public image was always bounded by professional boundaries. Furthermore, he acknowledged that everyone was aware of his relationships with men.

After a short while, they found themselves at his L.A. residence. While there, they moved their romantic affair to a guesthouse close to his pool, which led to an unexpected encounter when David Geffen stumbled upon them. Shocked beyond belief, Geffen walked in on them. Subsequently, Diller visited the designer in New York the following week and was introduced to his children. It was then that their relationship solidified.

Entertainment & Arts

Pioneering fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg shares a sneak peek with The Times as they prepare for the American debut of an exhibition showcasing her life and career highlights, such as the iconic wrap dress, at the Skirball Cultural Center.

He described feeling bewildered and unprepared as he found himself smack dab in the middle of a whirlwind romance during his teenage years, having no prior knowledge or skills to navigate his intense emotions,” he explained, detailing his carefully separated life and his skillful use of denial as a coping mechanism.

People in his circle were confused, he wrote, because they thought he only liked men.

He wrote that throughout his life, he had kept all his feelings locked away in various compartments of denial. As a result, he was unsure how to express himself when emotions began to overflow.

Mentioning an intriguing disclosure from the individual who guided influential figures in Hollywood such as Geffen, Michael Eisner, Jeffrey Katzenberg, Dawn Steel, and Don Simpson, among others. This person was known for captivating attention with his selection of a companion during business lunches.

Awards

Barry Diller is no fan of BarryDriller

For decades, my admiration for the Diller-Von Furstenberg partnership had been unwavering. However, a brief indiscretion with Richard Gere in 1981, which I believed he overreacted to, seemed to shake things up. We drifted apart for a decade, but gradually found our way back towards each other until we finally tied the knot in February 2001, marking our reunion after 26 years since our first encounter.

To the present moment, they continue to be a married couple, he admitted, finding it difficult to articulate the depth of their connection.

He noted, “Indeed, I found appeal in other men, but this wasn’t a contradiction to my affection for Diane. I can’t put it into words, not even for myself or others. It just… transpired, seemingly without intention or manipulation. In some strange, mysterious way, we seemed fated to be together.

Read More

2025-05-07 21:31

Previous post Giorgia Longoni Studio Brings Retro Warmth to Milan’s MOGO Hi-Fi Bar
Next post Ana de Armas vs Keanu Reeves: First Look at Ballerina Fight Scene