Husband of Diane Von Furstenberg Comes Out, After 24 Years of Marriage

By Susie Greene - May 8, 2025

This article appeared in peekably.com and has been published here with permission.

Diane von Furstenberg is a Belgian-American fashion designer best known for creating the iconic wrap dress, a symbol of power and independence for women since the 1970s. Born into European aristocracy, she rose to fame in New York's fashion scene, building a global brand under her initials, DVF. Celebrated for her bold prints and empowering message, Diane’s personal life, including her long marriage to media mogul Barry Diller, has also remained a topic of public fascination.

Early Days

Diane Simone Michele Halfin was born on December 31st, 1946, in Brussels, Belgium. She was the only child of Leon Halfin, a Romanian businessman, and Liliane Nahmias, a Greek Holocaust survivor. Her mother’s survival of Auschwitz deeply shaped Diane’s outlook on strength and resilience.

Raised in a household that valued independence and perseverance, Diane attended boarding schools in Europe before studying economics at the University of Geneva, laying the foundation for a life that would blend business acumen with creative vision.

Not Like the Others

Growing up in postwar Belgium, Diane always felt different from the children around her. “I was very different from all the other little girls on the streets of Belgium,” von Furstenberg once said. “I didn’t have straight blonde hair with bangs. I had short black, curly hair, which I hated.”

Despite her insecurities, Diane was clearly adored at home, as seen in a circa 1951 photograph of young Diane with her mother, Lily, and father, Leon, a self-made entrepreneur.

Finding Her Way

As a teenager, Diane attended boarding schools across Europe, where she cultivated a sense of independence and curiosity about the world. She later studied economics at the University of Geneva, a choice driven more by practicality than passion.

It was there she met Prince Egon von Furstenberg, a German aristocrat and fashion insider. Their whirlwind romance led Diane to envision a life of both glamour and purpose — one that would soon blend her growing interest in style with a bold sense of ambition.

Glitz & Glamour

Diane and Prince Egon von Furstenberg tied the knot in 1969, a year before Diane's first fashion show. Naturally, in the early 1970s, the couple embraced a life of glamour in uptown Manhattan.

Known for their extravagant parties, Diane and Egon were at the heart of New York's social scene. Diane often refers to Egon as "my Pygmalion," acknowledging his influence on her career. Together, they raised two children, Alexandre and Tatiana.