History of Anna Wintour in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: July 12, 2026

Anna Wintour is one of the most influential figures in the fashion industry, serving as the longtime editor-in-chief of American Vogue and the Global Chief Content Officer for Condé Nast. Since taking the helm of Vogue in 1988, she has redefined the magazine's identity, blending high fashion with pop culture and elevating the status of fashion photography. Known for her signature bob, sunglasses, and demanding professional demeanor, Wintour is a legendary tastemaker with the power to launch careers and influence global trends. Beyond editorial work, she is the force behind the Met Gala, which she transformed into the world's most prestigious annual fashion event. Her strategic business acumen and ability to adapt the print medium to the digital age have cemented her legacy as a transformative leader in media and culture.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

1917: Birth of Charles Wintour and Eleanor Trego Baker

In 1917, both Charles Wintour, a future editor of the Evening Standard, and Eleanor "Nonie" Trego Baker, the mother of Anna Wintour, were born.

1940: Marriage of Charles Wintour and Eleanor Trego Baker

Charles Wintour and Eleanor "Nonie" Trego Baker were officially married in 1940.

November 1949: Birth of Anna Wintour

Anna Wintour was born in November 1949, marking the beginning of the life of the future influential media executive and fashion editor.

1959: Charles Wintour begins Evening Standard editorship

In 1959, Anna Wintour's father, Charles Wintour, began his long tenure as the editor of the London-based newspaper Evening Standard.

1970: Anna Wintour begins career at Harper's & Queen

In 1970, Anna Wintour embarked on her professional career in fashion journalism by taking a position as an editorial assistant at Harper's & Queen, which was formed following the merger of Harper's Bazaar UK and Queen.

1975: Anna Wintour's entry into Harper's Bazaar and transition to Viva

In 1975, Anna Wintour began her role as a junior fashion editor at Harper's Bazaar in New York City, a position she held for nine months before being dismissed by editor Tony Mazzola. Shortly after this departure in 1975, she secured her first fashion editor role at the magazine Viva.

1976: Charles Wintour concludes Evening Standard editorship

In 1976, Charles Wintour ended his term as the editor of the London-based Evening Standard, during which time he had consulted his daughter Anna on making the publication appealing to the youth.

1978: Career transition and personal life changes

In 1978, following the closure of an unprofitable magazine by Guccione, Anna Wintour took a career hiatus. During this time, she ended her relationship with Bradshaw and began a two-year romantic partnership with French record producer Michel Esteban, splitting her time between Paris and New York.

1979: Divorce of Charles Wintour and Eleanor Trego Baker

The marriage between Charles Wintour and Eleanor "Nonie" Trego Baker ended in divorce in 1979.

1980: Appointment as fashion editor of Savvy

In 1980, Anna Wintour returned to the workforce to serve as the fashion editor for Savvy, a new publication tailored to career-driven professional women. This role saw her succeed Elsa Klensch and established a focus on the target demographic she would later serve at Vogue.

1983: Appointment as Creative Director at Vogue

In 1983, Anna Wintour joined Vogue as the magazine's first-ever creative director after being recruited by editorial director Alex Liberman. Her hiring followed a significant salary negotiation, and her tenure began with tensions due to her implementing changes without the knowledge of Grace Mirabella.

1984: Marriage to David Shaffer

In 1984, Anna Wintour married David Shaffer, a child psychiatrist whom she had previously known in London and begun dating shortly before their wedding.

1985: Anna Wintour becomes editor of British Vogue

In 1985, Anna Wintour returned to London to take on the role of editor for British Vogue.

1985: Appointment as Editor of UK Vogue

In 1985, Anna Wintour secured her first major editorship by succeeding Beatrix Miller as the editor of the UK edition of Vogue. During this transition, she implemented significant structural and creative changes, exerting tight control over staff and content, which earned her the nickname "Nuclear Wintour" and shifted the magazine's tone toward the American editorial style.

1987: Conclusion of British Vogue editorship

In 1987, Anna Wintour finished her tenure as the editor of British Vogue before moving on to lead the American branch of the franchise.

1987: Anna Wintour takes over House & Garden

In 1987, Anna Wintour returned to New York City to lead House & Garden, where she implemented radical staff and aesthetic changes, including a focus on fashion and celebrities that led to the magazine being jokingly dubbed "House & Garment" and "Vanity Chair." These shifts eventually caused a decline in subscriptions and traditional advertising support for the publication, which was later rebranded as HG.

November 1988: Anna Wintour's First Vogue Cover

In November 1988, Anna Wintour took charge of her first issue of Vogue, featuring a groundbreaking cover photograph by Peter Lindbergh of model Michaela Bercu wearing a mix of high and low fashion, including jeans and a designer top, which marked a significant shift in the magazine's editorial style.

1988: Appointment as Editor-in-Chief of Vogue

In 1988, Anna Wintour began her long-standing tenure as the editor-in-chief of Vogue, a position she would hold for several decades.

1995: Death of Eleanor Trego Baker

Eleanor "Nonie" Trego Baker, mother of Anna Wintour, passed away in 1995.

1999: Death of Charles Wintour

Charles Wintour, who served as the editor of the Evening Standard and was the father of Anna Wintour, passed away in 1999.

2003: Publication of The Devil Wears Prada

In 2003, Lauren Weisberger, a former personal assistant to Anna Wintour, published her roman à clef titled The Devil Wears Prada, which drew inspiration from her experiences working for Wintour.

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2006: Release of The Devil Wears Prada Film

The novel The Devil Wears Prada was adapted into a feature film in 2006, starring Meryl Streep as the character Miranda Priestly, a role widely considered to be based on Anna Wintour.

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September 2007: Production of the September 2007 issue

During September 2007, Anna Wintour worked on the production of the September issue of Vogue, a process that became the central focus of a documentary film detailing her working relationship with Grace Coddington.

2008: Anna Wintour Appointed OBE and Vogue Controversy

In 2008, Anna Wintour was appointed as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) during the Birthday Honours. Additionally, 2008 was a challenging year for Vogue magazine, marked by the Great Recession and a specific controversy regarding the April issue's cover, which featured LeBron James and Gisele Bündchen and was widely criticized for evoking racial stereotypes.

2008: Speculation Regarding Anna Wintour's Succession and Criticism of Vogue

In 2008, widespread industry rumors suggested that Anna Wintour would be stepping down as editor of American Vogue, with potential successors like Carine Roitfeld or Aliona Doletskaya being mentioned. Condé Nast formally countered these reports by purchasing a two-page advertisement in The New York Times to defend Wintour's professional tenure. Despite this, journalist Cathy Horyn published a critique in the same newspaper, arguing that the magazine had become repetitive, struggled to adapt to the economic recession, and relied too heavily on predictable editorial themes.

2009: Media appearances and The September Issue release

In 2009, Anna Wintour increased her media presence, including a profile on 60 Minutes where she denied retirement plans. Additionally, the documentary film The September Issue was released in September 2009, and she appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman to defend the fashion industry.

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2009: Release of The September Issue Documentary

In 2009, director R. J. Cutler released the documentary titled The September Issue, which provided an inside look at Anna Wintour's editorship and work at Vogue magazine.

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2010: Induction into the ASME Hall of Fame

In 2010, the American Society of Magazine Editors recognized Anna Wintour's contributions to the industry by electing her into their Hall of Fame.

2011: Vogue Archive Launch

In 2011, Vogue launched its entire historical archive online, during which Anna Wintour revealed that the iconic first cover she oversaw had not been originally planned as the cover shot.

2012: Wintour Reflects on Magazine Covers

In 2012, Anna Wintour engaged in a retrospective discussion regarding the editorial choices and impact of the magazine covers she had overseen during her tenure.

2013: Appointment as Artistic Director of Condé Nast

In 2013, Anna Wintour was appointed as the artistic director for Condé Nast's portfolio of magazines while continuing her leadership role at Vogue. This newly created position involved assuming some responsibilities previously held by chairman Si Newhouse, and Wintour characterized the role in 2013 as a broader expansion of her existing duties within the company.

January 2014: Honors and Media Appearances for Anna Wintour

In January 2014, Anna Wintour received significant recognition and professional milestones: the Metropolitan Museum of Art renamed its Costume Institute complex in her honor, she appeared as a star in the series The Fashion Fund on Ovation TV, and Forbes magazine ranked her as the 39th most powerful woman globally.

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May 2017: Investment as Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire

In May 2017, Anna Wintour was officially invested as a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) by Queen Elizabeth II during a ceremony held at Buckingham Palace, honoring her significant contributions to journalism and the fashion industry.

2018: End of Professional Relationship

In 2018, the professional relationship between André Leon Talley and Anna Wintour concluded when Talley was removed from his position as the red carpet reporter for Vogue's Met Gala, marking the start of their personal falling-out.

May 2020: Release of The Chiffon Trenches

In May 2020, André Leon Talley published his second memoir titled The Chiffon Trenches, in which he detailed the personal conflict between himself and Anna Wintour.

2020: Anna Wintour Promoted at Condé Nast

In 2020, as part of a significant organizational restructuring at Condé Nast, Anna Wintour was promoted to the position of worldwide chief content officer while also assuming the role of global editorial director for Vogue.

2023: Proposal for London Arts Fundraiser

In 2023, Anna Wintour proposed establishing a fundraising event modeled after the Met Gala to be held in London, aimed at supporting the local arts sector following its post-COVID-19 financial struggles.

2023: Appointment as Member of the Order of the Companions of Honour

In 2023, Anna Wintour was appointed as a Member of the Order of the Companions of Honour (CH) in recognition of her significant services to the fashion industry.