Barry Diller: Who Knew Memoir Reveals Hidden Struggles, Sexuality, and Self-Acceptance
Media titan Barry Diller, co-founder of the Fox Broadcasting Company and husband to fashion icon Diane von Fürstenberg, is finally telling his story. In a deeply personal interview on CBS Sunday Morning, Diller discussed his long-held fears, complicated identity, and his upcoming memoir titled Who Knew, which hits shelves on May 20.
Now 82, Diller is reflecting publicly on a life built in the spotlight — and the personal truths he kept hidden for decades.
A Memoir Years in the Making
Who Knew is more than just a title — it’s a question that shaped Diller’s internal journey. In the memoir, he opens up about coming to terms with his sexuality, why he stayed silent, and how his marriage to von Fürstenberg fits into a life full of contradictions and depth.
CBS correspondent Tracy Smith read a revealing line from the memoir:
“When I was young, I was far too afraid. I’m no longer that. And I’m too old to care.”
When asked what he was afraid of, Diller responded with honesty:
“I was afraid of secrets being revealed. I thought I didn’t qualify. I was afraid of revealing myself.”
Realizations at an Early Age
Diller recalled recognizing his attraction to men when he was just 11 or 12 years old. Desperate to understand himself, he rode his bike to the Beverly Hills Public Library looking for answers.
“Everything I read was, like, horrible,” he said. “And I got on my bike and I rode home and thought, ‘I’m a condemned person.’”
He compared the weight of his secret to an “anvil on a wire”, a powerful metaphor for carrying the burden of hidden identity through decades of public life and professional success.
The Fear of Disclosure
Living through the 1960s and 70s, Diller faced an era where conversations around homosexuality and bisexuality were stigmatized. He admitted his confusion at the time, and the deep fear that if he revealed anything, he wouldn’t even know how to explain what he was revealing.
“Talking about homosexuality, bi-, whatever sexuality is — it scared the hell out of me,” he said.
His words are a reminder of how different the cultural landscape was for LGBTQ+ individuals not long ago, especially those in the public eye.
A 50-Year Romance and a Marriage Built on Love
Despite the inner turmoil, Diller has shared a deep and lasting love with Diane von Fürstenberg, whom he married in 2001 after decades together. Their unconventional relationship has always intrigued the public, but Diller finally addresses it head-on.
In a personal essay for New York Magazine, Diller wrote:
“I have never questioned my sexuality’s basic authority over my life. I was only afraid of the reaction of others.”
He continued:
“When my romance with Diane began, I never questioned that its biological imperative was as strong in its heterosexuality as its opposite had been.”
The phrase “Who knew?” — which became the title of his memoir — was his own internal reaction to falling in love with a woman after so many years of hiding.
Breaking the Silence
Diller’s openness arrives in a time where more people, including high-profile public figures, are sharing their own journeys toward self-acceptance. Yet, his story stands out not just for the power he held in media and business, but for how long he waited — and why.
“I’m well aware this part of my life has caused confusion and lots of speculation,” he admitted.
Now, with Who Knew, Diller is choosing clarity over speculation. Truth over secrecy.
What to Expect From Who Knew
The memoir, scheduled for release on May 20, will explore:
- Diller’s rise in Hollywood and his co-founding of the Fox Broadcasting Company
- His decades-long relationship with von Fürstenberg
- Internal battles with identity and secrecy
- His views on love, success, and legacy
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