October 9, 2025 • 16 mins
Fashion icon and philanthropist Diane von Furstenberg has spent her life empowering women to be “in charge.” In this episode, she reflects on aging and self-discovery, and on how confidence, connection, and kindness can shape a meaningful life and lasting legacy.
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Speaker 1 (00:01):
Welcome to hear something good on women's health and longevity.
We are so grateful to our partners P and G,
maker of trusted brands like Tampex Always and Always Discreet,
and Walgreens, the women's well being destination, supporting every stage. Together,
we'll bring you something good each week on women's health
and longevity, and it wouldn't be possible without their support.
(00:22):
Each week, we aspire to bringing the good news on
women's health by talking to renowned scientists and medical experts
and by sharing health advice that can help you live
healthier and happier. Today, we're talking with fashion legend and
philanthropist Diane von Furstenberg, who shares her secrets for living
a full, purposeful and active life. Diane spoke recently with
(00:44):
Seneca co founder Milan Vervie at our Women's Health and
Longevity Summit in partnership with PNG and Bank of America.
Speaker 2 (00:53):
Science tells us that being connected to others, having an
optimistic added time and a positive resilient mindset play a
critical role for promoting well being and you guessed it longevity.
So by that reckoning, DVF is way ahead of the curve.
(01:15):
Besides her legendary career as a designer and fashion trailblazer philanthropist.
I know personally how much you have paid it forward
by investing in women, both in this country and globally.
Her DVF Awards go to some of the most courageous
people in the world. Many we've never heard of, but
(01:36):
they're doing extraordinary work and thanks to the spotlight DVF
puts on them and the resources that they're provided, it's
life changing for them. She led the creation of the
Statue of Liberty Museum, and she's an author, having written
books like The Woman I Wanted to Be and Own
(01:57):
It The Secret of Life.
Speaker 3 (02:00):
So what is the secret of life? What is your secret?
Speaker 4 (02:07):
Well, I mean, the only reason that I think that
I belong here is the fact that I've I've made
it to seventy eight, amna almost seventy nine. So and
I thought I was going to die before I was thirty.
And when I received a book from Gain Shehi Menapon,
(02:32):
I threw it in the fireplace.
Speaker 2 (02:35):
The last time we were together, you got up on
stage and you said I'm just old. And I didn't
think that was very inspiring at that moment, but then
the whole conversation changed.
Speaker 4 (02:46):
Well, I mean, first of all, age is great because
it means that you've already made it. It means that
you already have it in the bank, that you've lived
and every day, every super near. And then you think
about legacy, you know, and legacy is really the people
you touched and the family you make, whether it's a
(03:09):
biological family or or not biological, and then of course
the body of your work. So I always wanted to
be a woman in charge, and I really wanted to
be a woman in charge. I really wanted to have
a man's life in a woman's body. And I was
(03:32):
lucky that circumstances door, a little bit of work, a
little bit of a little bit of time, and maybe
made me be the woman I wanted to be very early,
by the time I was twenty seven, and that was extraordinary.
And because I became a woman in charge so early,
(03:55):
and because I became a woman in charge because of
a little dress, that little dress that gave me confidence.
That little dress gave confidence to millions of women, and
so I was discovering that with lots of women at
the time, and most of them were even older than me,
(04:16):
And so I was I became I became a conduit,
you know, and these are things that just happened. And
of course I was always a feminist. My mother was
a feminist. I was a feminist. I came to this
country with you know, the feminist movement, with Glory Steinem
(04:36):
so for me that was everything. So I became, you know,
that woman, and I promoted that and I did that
with my clothes. I did that with the philanthropy. You know,
philanthropy is such a big word, and it's so intimidating
when you're young, because it's like landscaping. You think you
(04:59):
need an expert, and then you and then you find
an incredible organization like Vital Voices, which you created together
with Hillary, and then I said, yes, that's my kind
of people, you know, and that's a network of women
in one hundred and eighty eight countries.
Speaker 3 (05:19):
And then you you.
Speaker 4 (05:21):
Know, we created an award. And the first time you're shy,
I mean, who am I to create an award? But
then it, you know, with years, you go and you
you go year after year and before you know it's
sixteen years and you've changed the life of whatever how
many women, And so that's the beauty. But now that
(05:41):
I am in the winter of my life, I know
that to be in charge is not really an aggressive statement.
It's really the relationship with yourself is being true to
yourself and owning it. You own your imperfection, they become
your assets. You own your vulnerability into strength. But now
(06:02):
I discover the power of kindness. And I know it
sounds silly, but kindness is a currency, and like money,
it compounds, and kindness can be sexy, Kindness can be provocative.
Kindness is a muscle, it's a tool. Yes, it's a virtue,
(06:27):
but it's also a trick. So I am now promoting
kindness and you'd be surprised. You would be surprised. I
was at MIT. I spoke at MIT last week, and
then I went to meet with all the faculties and
(06:48):
all these incredible people, and everyone's so excited about kindness.
Speaker 3 (06:53):
So right now I.
Speaker 4 (06:56):
Really don't know. I'm just throwing it out and every
time I speak, I say, yeah, that sounds good, Yes,
that sounds right. I am writing a book about it.
But for me it was really a discovery. And just
like you know, because you were talking about health, I
too had cancer. I had a cancer. What thirty one
(07:18):
years ago, and I had another one. I can't even
remember how many years ago. But you know, you realize
then that the doctor is great, and that's fifty percent.
But then you also realize the power that you have
on your own healing, on your whole body. And that's
(07:39):
also about owning it. You know, you cannot forget about
the dialogue you have with yourself. It is the most
important dialogue. It's as important as the aura ring. I
write my diary all the time, and I tell everyone
to write your diary because I think the relationship we
(08:01):
have with ourselves is truly the most important, because if
you have that, any other relationship is a plus and
not a must.
Speaker 2 (08:17):
I think we're getting some very good insights into the
secret of your life and a shared want to emulate
in some ways. And clearly our world is in need
of kindness today and anything we are in need of kindness.
And you've started a movement called in charge.
Speaker 3 (08:37):
What does that mean? How does that express itself?
Speaker 4 (08:41):
Because that's what I told women to do all the time,
That's what I told myself to do. But to be
in charge is first and foremost to be true to yourself.
And now I discovered the power of kindness. What does
it mean? It seems nothing. But sometimes when everything is
so conflictual in the outside, we also have to think
(09:04):
of the energy that comes from inside. I mean, you know,
we have inside energy. I don't fight. Okay, you won't
believe me, but I have never lied, so I'm completely unblackmailable.
And I also don't fight. I mean sometimes I get angry,
(09:28):
but I've never gotten into a fight. I am not conflictual.
So right now, in this world where everything is so conflictual,
I feel, you know, I feel I can you know.
I put the news and you get so depressed and
then you say, but in this moment of chaos, in
the moment of darkness, you look for the light. There's
(09:51):
always a tiny little bit of light, and then you
look for the light. You take the light, You cherish
the light, you grow the light, because it's always the
light that pushes the darkness away. And you see that
every morning when the sun goes up.
Speaker 3 (10:09):
It's very beautiful.
Speaker 4 (10:13):
I mean it doesn't sound scientifical, and it's not scientifical,
but it's it is a formula. I mean, it is
the form It is a formula. I will give you
one thing to do every morning, try to connect someone
to someone who could really change or help their lives
(10:35):
that they would have never met without you. You don't
have to speak, you don't have to leave a message.
All you have to do is write a thoughtful email
and you make miracles. I make miracles every day, more
than one. And then you understand the power of connecting.
(10:56):
It's a magic one. We all have this magic one
and it becomes a muscle. And then you know, I
think it possibly could be contagious, you know, and that's
what I am doing. And trust me, I was not
that kind as a child. I think I think I
was a little bullying.
Speaker 3 (11:19):
But clearly there's a lot of wisdom in this.
Speaker 2 (11:21):
And what you're saying is resonating with everybody.
Speaker 3 (11:25):
So you touch people deeply.
Speaker 2 (11:27):
And I understand there are four pillars at least to
your in charge movement. One you just mentioned connection, Connect
to connect, what are the others?
Speaker 4 (11:36):
Expand you know, every nine and then once a week
or whenever, talk give quality time to someone that you
see that you haven't really talked to. But don't do
it in a condescending way, you know, just get intimate,
find out something about them. And you think that you
(11:59):
do it for them, but you will be surprised the
door it may open. There's nothing more interesting than curiosity
in a nice way. I mean it's it's I am,
I've become like a magnet.
Speaker 3 (12:17):
Boom, things come to me.
Speaker 4 (12:19):
And then the third one is inspired, of course, and
there's nothing more inspiring than storytelling. But what is most
inspiring in storytelling is not the success that this It
is the difficulties. It's the failures, is the vulnerability. And
(12:40):
every time a friend of mine, somebody I know gets
fired or their company goes bad, or they have a
really bad article, I always say, I always go, and
I always say, remember these moments will be the best
anecdote when you're on stage and you talk about yourself.
(13:06):
And then the fourth one is advocate. You know, find
fine causes that you believe in. And that's something that
you discover maybe later in life. But trust me, I mean,
you know, kindness is. I know it's not sexy, but
I'm going to try to make it sectis.
Speaker 2 (13:28):
And she can make just about anything sexy, so I
believe it. So what are some ways in which you
call kindness a habit a muscle? How do you exercise kindness.
Speaker 4 (13:41):
What I do, I mean, I make miracles. I connect
people all the time. I mean to a point that
sometimes I say, I go out of my way. And
of course I don't share this with anyone.
Speaker 3 (13:51):
It's me and me.
Speaker 4 (13:52):
And now we have AI and now we have the machines,
and we have so many threads. I mean, I was
so lucky, I mean, to be young, to be a
baby boomer. I mean, we had it's so good. You know,
it's harder now. I mean, it's it's but look at nature.
Nature is always reassuring when you have when you're depressed,
(14:13):
I mean, try to go to nature because nature resurrect
itself all the time. The sun goes up and the
sun goes down. That I mean, nature for me is
the most reassuring thing. And you know Leonardo da Vinci,
who is my hero of all time, who is an
extraordinary human being, who invented so many things, and who
(14:34):
was so talented of all of his achievement, he used
to say that the thing he was the proudest of
is that he could read nature.
Speaker 2 (14:45):
And with that, I think we should call her doctor
Dionne von Furstenberg.
Speaker 4 (14:54):
But I just want to say one thing is that
each one of us we must believe in our own power.
We must believe in our own healing power, and we
must believe in and just giving good vibes and generosity
is the best investment.
Speaker 3 (15:14):
Thank you all for coming.
Speaker 1 (15:21):
Here are the top takeaways. First, healing begins within, says DVF.
We must believe in our power, she says, and we
must own it. She reminds us that, after all, the
most important relationship is the one we have with ourselves. Second,
make connection a daily habit. That's what DBF does every morning.
She starts each day by introducing two people who might
(15:44):
impact each other's lives. As she says, she has the
chance to create a miracle every day. Lastly, exercise the
power of kindness. It's a type of currency, says DBF,
one that compounds just like money. It's a muscle, a tool,
or verse, she says, and in times of turmoil, kindness
enables us to focus on the energy that comes from
(16:05):
inside us. Have a great day. For more podcasts from iHeartRadio,
check out the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you
listen to your favorite shows. Today's episode of Here's Something
Good on women's health and longevity was brought to you
by P and G, maker of trusted brands like Tampax,
Always and always Discreet, and by Walgreens, the women's well
(16:29):
being destination, supporting every stage
Welcome to hear something good on women's health and longevity.
We are so grateful to our partners P and G,
maker of trusted brands like Tampex Always and Always Discreet,
and Walgreens, the women's well being destination, supporting every stage. Together,
we'll bring you something good each week on women's health
and longevity, and it wouldn't be possible without their support.
(00:22):
Each week, we aspire to bringing the good news on
women's health by talking to renowned scientists and medical experts
and by sharing health advice that can help you live
healthier and happier. Today, we're talking with fashion legend and
philanthropist Diane von Furstenberg, who shares her secrets for living
a full, purposeful and active life. Diane spoke recently with
(00:44):
Seneca co founder Milan Vervie at our Women's Health and
Longevity Summit in partnership with PNG and Bank of America.
Speaker 2 (00:53):
Science tells us that being connected to others, having an
optimistic added time and a positive resilient mindset play a
critical role for promoting well being and you guessed it longevity.
So by that reckoning, DVF is way ahead of the curve.
(01:15):
Besides her legendary career as a designer and fashion trailblazer philanthropist.
I know personally how much you have paid it forward
by investing in women, both in this country and globally.
Her DVF Awards go to some of the most courageous
people in the world. Many we've never heard of, but
(01:36):
they're doing extraordinary work and thanks to the spotlight DVF
puts on them and the resources that they're provided, it's
life changing for them. She led the creation of the
Statue of Liberty Museum, and she's an author, having written
books like The Woman I Wanted to Be and Own
(01:57):
It The Secret of Life.
Speaker 3 (02:00):
So what is the secret of life? What is your secret?
Speaker 4 (02:07):
Well, I mean, the only reason that I think that
I belong here is the fact that I've I've made
it to seventy eight, amna almost seventy nine. So and
I thought I was going to die before I was thirty.
And when I received a book from Gain Shehi Menapon,
(02:32):
I threw it in the fireplace.
Speaker 2 (02:35):
The last time we were together, you got up on
stage and you said I'm just old. And I didn't
think that was very inspiring at that moment, but then
the whole conversation changed.
Speaker 4 (02:46):
Well, I mean, first of all, age is great because
it means that you've already made it. It means that
you already have it in the bank, that you've lived
and every day, every super near. And then you think
about legacy, you know, and legacy is really the people
you touched and the family you make, whether it's a
(03:09):
biological family or or not biological, and then of course
the body of your work. So I always wanted to
be a woman in charge, and I really wanted to
be a woman in charge. I really wanted to have
a man's life in a woman's body. And I was
(03:32):
lucky that circumstances door, a little bit of work, a
little bit of a little bit of time, and maybe
made me be the woman I wanted to be very early,
by the time I was twenty seven, and that was extraordinary.
And because I became a woman in charge so early,
(03:55):
and because I became a woman in charge because of
a little dress, that little dress that gave me confidence.
That little dress gave confidence to millions of women, and
so I was discovering that with lots of women at
the time, and most of them were even older than me,
(04:16):
And so I was I became I became a conduit,
you know, and these are things that just happened. And
of course I was always a feminist. My mother was
a feminist. I was a feminist. I came to this
country with you know, the feminist movement, with Glory Steinem
(04:36):
so for me that was everything. So I became, you know,
that woman, and I promoted that and I did that
with my clothes. I did that with the philanthropy. You know,
philanthropy is such a big word, and it's so intimidating
when you're young, because it's like landscaping. You think you
(04:59):
need an expert, and then you and then you find
an incredible organization like Vital Voices, which you created together
with Hillary, and then I said, yes, that's my kind
of people, you know, and that's a network of women
in one hundred and eighty eight countries.
Speaker 3 (05:19):
And then you you.
Speaker 4 (05:21):
Know, we created an award. And the first time you're shy,
I mean, who am I to create an award? But
then it, you know, with years, you go and you
you go year after year and before you know it's
sixteen years and you've changed the life of whatever how
many women, And so that's the beauty. But now that
(05:41):
I am in the winter of my life, I know
that to be in charge is not really an aggressive statement.
It's really the relationship with yourself is being true to
yourself and owning it. You own your imperfection, they become
your assets. You own your vulnerability into strength. But now
(06:02):
I discover the power of kindness. And I know it
sounds silly, but kindness is a currency, and like money,
it compounds, and kindness can be sexy, Kindness can be provocative.
Kindness is a muscle, it's a tool. Yes, it's a virtue,
(06:27):
but it's also a trick. So I am now promoting
kindness and you'd be surprised. You would be surprised. I
was at MIT. I spoke at MIT last week, and
then I went to meet with all the faculties and
(06:48):
all these incredible people, and everyone's so excited about kindness.
Speaker 3 (06:53):
So right now I.
Speaker 4 (06:56):
Really don't know. I'm just throwing it out and every
time I speak, I say, yeah, that sounds good, Yes,
that sounds right. I am writing a book about it.
But for me it was really a discovery. And just
like you know, because you were talking about health, I
too had cancer. I had a cancer. What thirty one
(07:18):
years ago, and I had another one. I can't even
remember how many years ago. But you know, you realize
then that the doctor is great, and that's fifty percent.
But then you also realize the power that you have
on your own healing, on your whole body. And that's
(07:39):
also about owning it. You know, you cannot forget about
the dialogue you have with yourself. It is the most
important dialogue. It's as important as the aura ring. I
write my diary all the time, and I tell everyone
to write your diary because I think the relationship we
(08:01):
have with ourselves is truly the most important, because if
you have that, any other relationship is a plus and
not a must.
Speaker 2 (08:17):
I think we're getting some very good insights into the
secret of your life and a shared want to emulate
in some ways. And clearly our world is in need
of kindness today and anything we are in need of kindness.
And you've started a movement called in charge.
Speaker 3 (08:37):
What does that mean? How does that express itself?
Speaker 4 (08:41):
Because that's what I told women to do all the time,
That's what I told myself to do. But to be
in charge is first and foremost to be true to yourself.
And now I discovered the power of kindness. What does
it mean? It seems nothing. But sometimes when everything is
so conflictual in the outside, we also have to think
(09:04):
of the energy that comes from inside. I mean, you know,
we have inside energy. I don't fight. Okay, you won't
believe me, but I have never lied, so I'm completely unblackmailable.
And I also don't fight. I mean sometimes I get angry,
(09:28):
but I've never gotten into a fight. I am not conflictual.
So right now, in this world where everything is so conflictual,
I feel, you know, I feel I can you know.
I put the news and you get so depressed and
then you say, but in this moment of chaos, in
the moment of darkness, you look for the light. There's
(09:51):
always a tiny little bit of light, and then you
look for the light. You take the light, You cherish
the light, you grow the light, because it's always the
light that pushes the darkness away. And you see that
every morning when the sun goes up.
Speaker 3 (10:09):
It's very beautiful.
Speaker 4 (10:13):
I mean it doesn't sound scientifical, and it's not scientifical,
but it's it is a formula. I mean, it is
the form It is a formula. I will give you
one thing to do every morning, try to connect someone
to someone who could really change or help their lives
(10:35):
that they would have never met without you. You don't
have to speak, you don't have to leave a message.
All you have to do is write a thoughtful email
and you make miracles. I make miracles every day, more
than one. And then you understand the power of connecting.
(10:56):
It's a magic one. We all have this magic one
and it becomes a muscle. And then you know, I
think it possibly could be contagious, you know, and that's
what I am doing. And trust me, I was not
that kind as a child. I think I think I
was a little bullying.
Speaker 3 (11:19):
But clearly there's a lot of wisdom in this.
Speaker 2 (11:21):
And what you're saying is resonating with everybody.
Speaker 3 (11:25):
So you touch people deeply.
Speaker 2 (11:27):
And I understand there are four pillars at least to
your in charge movement. One you just mentioned connection, Connect
to connect, what are the others?
Speaker 4 (11:36):
Expand you know, every nine and then once a week
or whenever, talk give quality time to someone that you
see that you haven't really talked to. But don't do
it in a condescending way, you know, just get intimate,
find out something about them. And you think that you
(11:59):
do it for them, but you will be surprised the
door it may open. There's nothing more interesting than curiosity
in a nice way. I mean it's it's I am,
I've become like a magnet.
Speaker 3 (12:17):
Boom, things come to me.
Speaker 4 (12:19):
And then the third one is inspired, of course, and
there's nothing more inspiring than storytelling. But what is most
inspiring in storytelling is not the success that this It
is the difficulties. It's the failures, is the vulnerability. And
(12:40):
every time a friend of mine, somebody I know gets
fired or their company goes bad, or they have a
really bad article, I always say, I always go, and
I always say, remember these moments will be the best
anecdote when you're on stage and you talk about yourself.
(13:06):
And then the fourth one is advocate. You know, find
fine causes that you believe in. And that's something that
you discover maybe later in life. But trust me, I mean,
you know, kindness is. I know it's not sexy, but
I'm going to try to make it sectis.
Speaker 2 (13:28):
And she can make just about anything sexy, so I
believe it. So what are some ways in which you
call kindness a habit a muscle? How do you exercise kindness.
Speaker 4 (13:41):
What I do, I mean, I make miracles. I connect
people all the time. I mean to a point that
sometimes I say, I go out of my way. And
of course I don't share this with anyone.
Speaker 3 (13:51):
It's me and me.
Speaker 4 (13:52):
And now we have AI and now we have the machines,
and we have so many threads. I mean, I was
so lucky, I mean, to be young, to be a
baby boomer. I mean, we had it's so good. You know,
it's harder now. I mean, it's it's but look at nature.
Nature is always reassuring when you have when you're depressed,
(14:13):
I mean, try to go to nature because nature resurrect
itself all the time. The sun goes up and the
sun goes down. That I mean, nature for me is
the most reassuring thing. And you know Leonardo da Vinci,
who is my hero of all time, who is an
extraordinary human being, who invented so many things, and who
(14:34):
was so talented of all of his achievement, he used
to say that the thing he was the proudest of
is that he could read nature.
Speaker 2 (14:45):
And with that, I think we should call her doctor
Dionne von Furstenberg.
Speaker 4 (14:54):
But I just want to say one thing is that
each one of us we must believe in our own power.
We must believe in our own healing power, and we
must believe in and just giving good vibes and generosity
is the best investment.
Speaker 3 (15:14):
Thank you all for coming.
Speaker 1 (15:21):
Here are the top takeaways. First, healing begins within, says DVF.
We must believe in our power, she says, and we
must own it. She reminds us that, after all, the
most important relationship is the one we have with ourselves. Second,
make connection a daily habit. That's what DBF does every morning.
She starts each day by introducing two people who might
(15:44):
impact each other's lives. As she says, she has the
chance to create a miracle every day. Lastly, exercise the
power of kindness. It's a type of currency, says DBF,
one that compounds just like money. It's a muscle, a tool,
or verse, she says, and in times of turmoil, kindness
enables us to focus on the energy that comes from
(16:05):
inside us. Have a great day. For more podcasts from iHeartRadio,
check out the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you
listen to your favorite shows. Today's episode of Here's Something
Good on women's health and longevity was brought to you
by P and G, maker of trusted brands like Tampax,
Always and always Discreet, and by Walgreens, the women's well
(16:29):
being destination, supporting every stage
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