Anna Wintour

November 3, 2024

Fast Facts
Background
Career Timeline
Why We Love
Surprising Facts
FAQs

Anna Wintour, born on November 3, 1949, is a fashion journalist who has been the editor-in-chief of “Vogue” magazine for 34 years. She is known for her sharp eye when it comes to fashion. She is also known to be a straightforward and blunt person, which got her the nickname “Nuclear Wintour.” She began her career in the fashion industry when she was very young, working at a clothing store when she was 15. Join us as we celebrate this dynamic journalist’s special day, right here!

Fast Facts

Full Name:

Dame Anna Wintour

Nickname:

Nuclear Wintour

Birth date:

November 3, 1949

Age:

Zodiac Sign:

Scorpio

Height:

5' 6"

Relationship Status:

Divorced

Net Worth:

$2 million

Background

Anna Wintour, one of the most celebrated names in the world of journalism and fashion, was born on November 3, 1949, in Hampstead, London. Her zodiac sign is Scorpio. Born to Charles Wintour and Eleanor Trego Baker, Wintour has shown interest in fashion since childhood. She began working at the clothing company Biba when she was 15.

Wintour started her journalism career in 1970, working as an editorial assistant in the newly created “Harper & Queen.” She worked there for close to five years, before moving to New York. Wintour was a junior fashion editor in “Harper Bazaar” for a brief period in 1975. Jon Bradshaw (an author and contributing editor of “Esquire”) whom she was dating at the time got her a job as an editor at “Viva.” She was also named editor of “Savvy.” She then worked for “New York,” which featured her fashion spreads and photo shoots. Her dream of working at “Vogue” finally came true in 1983 when she was hired as its first creative director. The journalist took charge of the U.K. edition of “Vogue” and its offices in 1985. Wintour later oversaw the creation of three “Vogue” spin-offs, namely, “Teen Vogue,” “Men’s Vogue,” and “Vogue Living,” and kept the magazine afloat despite stiff competition from “Elle” and “Harper’s Bazaar.” In 2013, she worked as artistic director of “Condé Nast,” even as she was at the helm of “Vogue.” By 2020, she was promoted to the chief content officer at Condé Nast, while also taking over as global editorial director of “Vogue.”

Wintour and David Shaffer were married in 1984 but divorced in 1999. They have a son and a daughter (who’s also a journalist). She was in a relationship with Shelby Bryan, a telecommunications businessman, but it ended in 2020.

Career timeline

1970

Wintour’s First Crack at Publishing

Wintour begins working as an editorial assistant at “Harper & Queen.”

1975

A Fashion Editor

Wintour moves to New York to work as junior fashion editor of “Harper’s Bazaar” for nine months.

1983

A Creative Director

She is hired as the very first creative director of “Vogue” magazine.

1985

The Editor of “Vogue”

Wintour takes over as editor of the U.K. edition of “Vogue.”

1987

She Takes Over the U.S. Edition

The journalist succeeds Grace Mirabella as the editor-in-chief of the U.S. edition of “Vogue.”

Why We Love Anna Wintour

Wintour has a big, humble heart
We know Wintour for her blunt and straightforward personality. But she has a big heart and has raised money for many charitable causes since the 1990s. She has also apologized for the controversial mistakes she has made while doing her job.
She has a brilliant sense of humor
She can be funny. She wore clothes by Italian designer Prada at the premiere of “The Devil Wears Prada” in 2006 in what was a humorous nod to the character inspired by her.
She is a great fashion influencer
Wintour holds a lot of influence in fashion journalism. She has helped unknown designers rise in the fashion industry. Her knack for singling out great and upcoming trends is something we all wish we had!

5 Surprising Facts

Wintour inspired a film character
Wintour inspired the main character (played by Meryl Streep) in the movie adaptation “The Devil Wears Prada” based on Lauren Weisberger’s novel of the same title.
Her first magazine cover
The first magazine cover of “Vogue” under Wintour featured a model wearing jeans; the printer thought it was a mistake and called the magazine to clarify it!
A recreation of “Vogue’s” cover
In 2014, model Gigi Hadid recreated Wintour’s first magazine cover from 1988, as a tribute to the renowned journalist.
She has a party time limit
Wintour’s nighttime routine requires her to be in bed by 10:15 pm, which means she stays at a party for only 20 minutes.
Her bob haircut
Wintour was 14 years old when she trimmed her hair to a bob and has kept the famous hairstyle ever since!