Dame Anna Wintour is a prominent figure in the fashion industry, serving as the editor-in-chief of Vogue since 1988 and Global Chief Content Officer of Condé Nast since 2020. Her influential role in shaping fashion trends is widely recognized, although her demanding personality has drawn criticism. Wintour's signature bob haircut and sunglasses have become iconic, solidifying her status as a powerful and recognizable figure in the world of fashion and publishing.
1917: Birth of Anna Wintour's Parents
Both of Anna Wintour's parents, Charles Wintour and Eleanor 'Nonie' Trego Baker, were born in 1917.
1940: Marriage of Charles Wintour and Eleanor 'Nonie' Trego Baker
Anna Wintour's parents, Charles Wintour and Eleanor 'Nonie' Trego Baker, were married in 1940.
November 1949: Anna Wintour is Born
Anna Wintour was born in November 1949 in Hampstead, London.
1959: Charles Wintour Becomes Editor of the Evening Standard
Anna Wintour's father, Charles Wintour, became editor of the London-based Evening Standard in 1959.
1970: Anna Wintour Begins Career at Harper's & Queen
Anna Wintour's career in fashion journalism began in 1970 when she secured a position as an editorial assistant at Harper's & Queen after the merger of Harper's Bazaar UK and Queen.
1975: Anna Wintour Becomes Junior Fashion Editor at Harper's Bazaar New York
In 1975, Anna Wintour became a junior fashion editor at Harper's Bazaar in New York City.
1976: Charles Wintour Concludes his Tenure at the Evening Standard
Charles Wintour's time as editor of the Evening Standard ended in 1976.
1978: Viva Magazine Shuts Down
Viva, the women's magazine where Wintour worked, ceased publication in late 1978.
1979: Divorce of Charles Wintour and Eleanor 'Nonie' Trego Baker
The marriage of Charles Wintour and Eleanor 'Nonie' Trego Baker, Anna Wintour's parents, ended in divorce in 1979.
1980: Anna Wintour Becomes Fashion Editor at Savvy
Anna Wintour returned to work in 1980 as the fashion editor for Savvy, a new women's magazine aimed at career-driven women.
1983: Anna Wintour Joins Vogue as Creative Director
In 1983, Anna Wintour joined the staff of Vogue as the creative director, a role that marked a significant step in her career.
1984: Anna Wintour Marries David Shaffer
Anna Wintour married child psychiatrist David Shaffer in 1984.
1985: Anna Wintour Implements Changes at British Vogue
After becoming editor of British Vogue in 1985, Anna Wintour implemented a series of changes, earning her the nickname 'Nuclear Wintour'.
1985: Anna Wintour Becomes Editor of British Vogue
Anna Wintour marked a significant career milestone in 1985 when she took on the role of editor for British Vogue.
1987: Anna Wintour Concludes her Editorship of British Vogue
In 1987, Anna Wintour finished her term as the editor of British Vogue.
1988: Anna Wintour Becomes Editor-in-Chief of Vogue
In 1988, Anna Wintour became the editor-in-chief of Vogue, a position she still holds today.
1995: Death of Eleanor 'Nonie' Trego Baker
Eleanor 'Nonie' Trego Baker, Anna Wintour's mother, died in 1995.
1999: Death of Charles Wintour
Charles Wintour, Anna Wintour's father, passed away in 1999.
1999: Journalist Kevin Gray Observes Wintour's Interactions with Staff
Journalist Kevin Gray, in a 1999 profile, described a culture of apprehension among Vogue staff regarding interactions with Anna Wintour, noting instances of employees appearing anxious in her presence and recounting an anecdote about a staffer who chose not to assist Wintour after she tripped.
2000: Wintour's Relationship with Bryan Shaffer Softens Her Personality
Around the year 2000, observers noted a perceived softening in Anna Wintour's demeanor at work, attributed to her relationship with Shelby Bryan Shaffer. Those close to her described her as more mellow and approachable during this period.
2000: Wintour Supports Hillary Clinton's Senate Run
Beginning in 2000, Anna Wintour showed her support for the Democratic party by supporting Hillary Clinton's Senate run.
2002: Addressing Sexist Rumors
In 2002, while accepting a media award, Wintour addressed past rumors that circulated when she took over Vogue, suggesting that she got the job through an affair with Si Newhouse. She highlighted this incident as an example of the greater scrutiny powerful women face in the media compared to men.
2002: Peter Braunstein Harbors Resentment Towards Wintour
Peter Braunstein, a former journalist, held a grudge against Anna Wintour after feeling slighted by receiving only one ticket to the 2002 Vogue Fashion Awards, an incident that reportedly contributed to his anger and subsequent criminal actions.
2003: Release of 'The Devil Wears Prada'
Lauren Weisberger, Wintour's former personal assistant, published 'The Devil Wears Prada', a roman à clef believed to be inspired by Wintour, in 2003.
2004: Edna Mode in "The Incredibles" Resembles Anna Wintour
In 2004, the animated film "The Incredibles" featured a character named Edna Mode whose hairstyle bears a resemblance to Anna Wintour's signature bob, suggesting a possible inspiration.
2004: Wintour and Shaffer Ordered to Pay Settlement for Workers' Compensation Case
In 2004, a court ruled that Anna Wintour and Shelby Bryan Shaffer were required to pay a settlement exceeding $137,000 to a former employee who sustained a work-related injury while under their employ. This incident highlighted a legal challenge related to their handling of employee compensation.
2004: Wintour Supports John Kerry's Presidential Campaign
Anna Wintour continued her support for the Democratic party by supporting John Kerry in the 2004 presidential election.
October 2005: Tofu Pie Attack
In October 2005, while waiting to enter the Chloe show in Paris, Anna Wintour was hit by a tofu pie thrown by an activist. This is one of many physical attacks she has endured from activists over the years.
2005: Anglomania and Control Over Fashion
During the 2005 'Anglomania' event celebrating British fashion, Wintour is believed to have personally selected the outfits worn by several high-profile attendees, highlighting her perceived influence over the fashion industry.
2005: Wintour Allegedly Threatens Fashion Personalities During Production of "The Devil Wears Prada"
During the making of "The Devil Wears Prada" in 2005, Anna Wintour reportedly discouraged fashion designers from making cameo appearances in the film, allegedly threatening to exclude them from Vogue's coverage. She denied these claims through a spokesperson.
2005: André Leon Talley's Weight Comment
In 2005, controversy arose when Vogue editor-at-large André Leon Talley remarked on The Oprah Winfrey Show that Wintour had previously demanded he lose weight, fueling criticism about the magazine's and Wintour's attitude towards body image.
2005: Publication of "Front Row: The Cool Life and Hot Times of Vogue's Editor in Chief"
Jerry Oppenheimer's book "Front Row: The Cool Life and Hot Times of Vogue's Editor in Chief", published in 2005, offered another portrayal of Anna Wintour, claiming that she declined to be interviewed for the book and discouraged others from speaking to the author.
2005: Johnny Depp Draws Inspiration from Wintour for Willy Wonka
Johnny Depp acknowledged that he partially based the demeanor of Willy Wonka in the 2005 film "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" on Anna Wintour's persona.
2006: Wintour Attends the Premiere of "The Devil Wears Prada"
Anna Wintour attended the premiere of "The Devil Wears Prada" in 2006, wearing Prada, despite previous reports suggesting she was not supportive of the film's production.
2006: Wintour Praises "The Devil Wears Prada"
In 2006, after the successful release of "The Devil Wears Prada", Anna Wintour publicly stated that she found the film "really entertaining" and praised its portrayal of the fashion industry as glamorous and interesting, contradicting earlier reports of her disapproval.
2006: Fey Sommers in "Ugly Betty" Likened to Wintour
The character Fey Sommers in the television series "Ugly Betty", which premiered in 2006, drew comparisons to Anna Wintour due to her bob hairstyle, sunglasses, and the name "Sommers" echoing "Winter", Wintour's last name.
2006: Film Adaptation of 'The Devil Wears Prada' Premieres
The film adaptation of 'The Devil Wears Prada', starring Meryl Streep as Miranda Priestly, a character thought to be based on Wintour, was released in 2006.
2008: Pamela Anderson's Criticism
In 2008, Pamela Anderson publicly criticized Anna Wintour for promoting fur in Vogue, stating that Wintour was the living person she most despised for bullying designers and models into using and wearing fur.
2008: Milan Fashion Week Controversy
In 2008, Anna Wintour requested to reschedule some shows at Milan Fashion Week for earlier in the week so that US-based editors could return home before the Paris shows. This caused complaints from other editors and lesser-known designers who felt disadvantaged by the change.
2008: Hildy Kuryk Worked on Obama's 2008 Presidential Campaign
Hildy Kuryk, whom Anna Wintour hired in 2013, had worked as a fundraiser for the Democratic National Committee and Obama's 2008 campaign.
2008: Wintour Supports Barack Obama's First Presidential Campaign
Anna Wintour actively participated as a "bundler" for Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign, raising funds through various events, including a high-profile dinner at Sarah Jessica Parker's residence.
2009: Minneapolis Obesity Comment
In 2009, Wintour drew criticism from Minneapolis residents for her comment on 60 Minutes, where she described most of the people she saw in the city as 'little houses.' This sparked controversy due to the city's high fitness ranking.
2009: 'The September Issue' Documentary is Released
The documentary film 'The September Issue', directed by R.J. Cutler, was released in 2009, initially focusing on Anna Wintour's role as Vogue's editor.
2010: "Ugly Betty" Concludes Its Run
The television series "Ugly Betty", which featured a character inspired by Anna Wintour, concluded its run in 2010.
2011: Forbes' 100 Most Powerful Women List
In 2011, Forbes ranked Anna Wintour 69th on its list of the 100 most powerful women in the world. In response, Wintour downplayed her perceived power, stating that while it offered some privileges, it also provided a valuable opportunity to help others.
2012: Wintour Supports Barack Obama's Second Presidential Campaign
Anna Wintour continued her support of Barack Obama, serving as a fundraiser during his second presidential campaign in 2012.
March 2013: Wintour Listed as One of the 50 Best-Dressed Over 50s
In March 2013, The Guardian listed Anna Wintour as "one of the 50 best-dressed over 50s," highlighting her signature style that often features Chanel suits, kitten heels, and printed midi-dresses.
2013: Wintour Hires Hildy Kuryk, a Democratic Fundraiser
In 2013, Anna Wintour appointed Hildy Kuryk, an experienced Democratic fundraiser, as Vogue's new director of communications, signaling her interest in strengthening the magazine's political connections.
2015: Emphasis on Print Luxury
In 2015, Wintour stressed the importance of maintaining a luxurious experience in print publications, emphasizing the need for visually impactful photographs and content that cannot be found elsewhere.
2016: Wintour Supports Hillary Clinton's Presidential Campaign
Anna Wintour actively supported Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign, serving as a significant donor and wardrobe consultant, demonstrating her ongoing involvement in politics.
2017: Anna Wintour Appears on 'The Late Late Show with James Corden'
During an appearance on 'The Late Late Show with James Corden' in 2017, Anna Wintour addressed rumors about her past, including a rumored encounter with Bob Marley.
2020: Wintour Endorses Joe Biden for President
Continuing her history of political engagement, Anna Wintour endorsed Joe Biden in the 2020 US presidential election.
2020: Anna Wintour Becomes Global Chief Content Officer at Condé Nast
In 2020, Anna Wintour assumed a new role at Condé Nast, becoming the Global Chief Content Officer overseeing all Condé Nast publications.