Barry Diller Net Worth

What is Barry Diller's Net Worth and Salary?

Barry Diller is an American businessman who has a net worth of $5 billion. Barry Diller established himself as one of media and entertainment's most influential executives over a remarkable career spanning decades. He rose to prominence in the 1970s at ABC, where he pioneered the made-for-TV movie format and the miniseries concept that transformed television programming.

His career ascended further when he became chairman and CEO of Paramount Pictures in the 1970s and early 1980s. Under his leadership, Paramount produced iconic films including "Saturday Night Fever," "Grease," and "Raiders of the Lost Ark," solidifying the studio's position in Hollywood.

After Paramount, Diller took on the challenge of creating the Fox Broadcasting Company, developing it into a legitimate fourth television network competing against the established Big Three. His innovative programming strategies helped Fox carve out its own identity in the broadcast landscape.

In the 1990s, Diller pivoted toward building his own media empire through IAC (InterActiveCorp) and later Expedia Group, becoming an early pioneer in recognizing the potential of internet commerce. His companies have encompassed diverse digital brands across travel, dating, and entertainment sectors.

His personal life gained prominence through his relationship with fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg. After years of friendship and an on-and-off relationship, they married in 2001, creating a powerful partnership that bridges the fashion and media worlds.

Beyond business, Diller and von Furstenberg have made significant philanthropic contributions, particularly to public spaces in New York City, including the High Line park project and Little Island, an innovative public park built on the Hudson River.

Early Life

Barry Diller was born Barry Charles Diller on February 2, 1942, in San Francisco, California. He grew up in a Jewish household with mother, Reva, and father, Michael (a real estate developer). Barry attended Beverly Hills High School, and after graduation, he enrolled at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), but he dropped out after a few weeks.

William Morris

Diller's career began in the William Morris Agency's mailroom, and he used the opportunity to scour the company's archives and learn about the entertainment industry. Barry later worked as an assistant to the West Coast head of ABC, Elton Rule, who took Diller to New York City when he was promoted to the president of the network in 1964.

ABC

After being put in charge of negotiating the rights for ABC to broadcast feature films, Barry was promoted in 1965, becoming Vice President of Development. He is credited with creating the ABC Movie of the Week, which started the trend of movies being made exclusively for TV.

Paramount Pictures

Diller became the Chairman and CEO of Paramount Pictures Corporation in 1974, and during his decade with the company, Paramount produced several hits, including "Laverne & Shirley," "Cheers," "Taxi," "Grease," "Saturday Night Fever," and the first two films in the "Indiana Jones" franchise. He worked at 20th Century Fox from 1984 to 1992, serving as the Chairman and CEO, and he was responsible for launching the Fox network and greenlighting "The Simpsons" and "Married… with Children."

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InterActiveCorp

After quitting his job at 20th Century Fox, Barry bought a $25 million stake in the QVC network, and he tried to buy Paramount Communications, but he lost out to Viacom. He left QVC in 1995, then acquired the rights to the USA Network and the Home Shopping Network after purchasing the assets of Silver King Broadcasting. Diller later sold the USA Network to Vivendi, and Silver King Broadcasting eventually became known as InterActiveCorp (IAC). IAC later included companies such as HomeAdvisor, Citysearch, CollegeHumor, UrbanSpoon, and Tinder. In 2005, Diller became the Chairman of Expedia while serving as the Chairman and CEO of IAC, and he left his position as CEO of IAC in 2010 to become the company's senior executive. Barry joined the board of Coca-Cola in 2002, and he followed suit with MGM Resorts International in 2020 after IAC bought a huge stake (close to $1 billion) in the company.

Diller invested in the streaming service Aereo in 2012, but the company was shut down in 2014 because the Supreme Court ruled that it violated copyright laws. In 2013, he began co-producing Broadway shows with Scott Rudin (the first producer to win an EGOT – Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony), such as "West Side Story," "To Kill A Mockingbird," "Carousel," and "Three Tall Woman." IAC Films has backed several Rudin-produced movies, including "Lady Bird," "Eighth Grade," and "Uncut Gems." In 2019, Expedia's CEO stepped down, so Barry and Vice Chairman Peter Kern had to take over day-to-day operations in early 2020. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the shares of Expedia and many other travel companies plummeted, and in April 2020, Diller announced that Expedia wasn't bringing in revenue and would need to reduce spending, possibly cutting annual advertising costs from $5 billion to under $1 billion.

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Personal Life

Barry married renowned fashion designer Diane von Fürstenberg on February 2, 2001, becoming stepfather to her adult children, Princess Tatiana and Prince Alexander, from her previous marriage to Prince Egon von Fürstenberg. The couple first met in 1974 and maintained a complex, decades-spanning relationship that included periods of romance, separation, and enduring friendship before they eventually married.

In 2025, Diller publicly addressed his sexuality for the first time in his memoir Who Knew, revealing that he is gay. He spoke openly about his early experiences, the challenges of living a private life in a public-facing role, and the personal cost of decades of silence. He described his relationship with Diane as "the miracle of my life," and wrote that while he has loved many men, "there has only ever been one woman." Diane responded with warmth and pride, saying, "We have been lovers, friends, married—everything. And, you know, for me, the secret to honor life, and to honor love, is never to lie." Theirs is a partnership defined by deep respect, shared purpose, and a commitment to living authentically.

Philanthropy

Barry Diller has been a major force in philanthropic giving, especially in New York City, where his investments in public parks and cultural institutions have reshaped the urban landscape. In 1999, he and his wife Diane von Fürstenberg established the Diller–von Fürstenberg Family Foundation, which has donated hundreds of millions of dollars to support the arts, education, social justice, and public space innovation.

One of the couple's most visible legacies is their involvement in developing the High Line, to which they contributed $20 million. Even more ambitiously, they pledged $113 million to create Little Island, an innovative park and performance venue on a pier in the Hudson River that opened in 2021. These projects reflect Diller's belief that public spaces should inspire creativity and civic pride.

In addition to his civic philanthropy, Diller has made substantial contributions to cultural institutions such as the Public Theater, the Museum of Modern Art, and educational initiatives through his foundation. He has also supported political causes and candidates aligned with democratic values, hosting high-level fundraisers and contributing to policy-focused nonprofits.

Real Estate

Barry Diller and Diane von Fürstenberg have curated an impressive portfolio of real estate holdings across the United States and Europe, reflecting their personal tastes and lifestyles.

Beverly Hills, California:

In February 2020, the couple purchased a 2,711-square-foot, three-bedroom, four-bathroom home in Beverly Hills for $4.3 million. This property is adjacent to their longtime residence, which sits on nearly three acres of land. The addition expanded their estate in the exclusive Coldwater Canyon area.

Miami Beach, Florida:

In April 2024, Diller made headlines with the acquisition of a prime waterfront property on North Bay Road in Miami Beach for $45 million. The 1.5-acre estate, formerly the site of the Whitehall Mansion, adds a luxurious tropical retreat to their collection.

New York City:

Diane von Fürstenberg's primary residence in Manhattan is a distinctive glass-and-steel penthouse atop her company's headquarters in the Meatpacking District. Designed by the architectural firm WORKac, the "tree house" features a light-filled concrete staircase adorned with Swarovski crystals and offers panoramic views of the city.

Connecticut:

The couple also owns "Cloudwalk," a 19th-century estate situated on 100 acres in New Milford, Connecticut. This property serves as a serene country retreat away from their urban residences.

Paris, France:

Von Fürstenberg maintains an apartment on Paris's Left Bank, reflecting her European heritage and ongoing ties to the fashion capital.

Yacht:

Beyond their land-based properties, Diller owns the Eos, a 305-foot sailing yacht considered one of the largest private sailing vessels in the world. The yacht serves as a mobile residence, allowing the couple to travel in luxury across the globe.

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