Dame Anna Wintour is stepping aside from her role as editor-in-chief of American Vogue, concluding a 37-year tenure that helped shape the magazine into a global fashion authority.
The 75-year-old British-born editor, who has held the position longer than any of her predecessors, will remain in senior leadership roles at Conde Nast. She will continue to serve as Vogue’s global editorial director and as chief content officer for the publisher.
Wintour announced the change to staff on Thursday, introducing a new role at American Vogue titled “head of editorial content.”
In a statement shared by the company, she expressed her desire to support “the next generation of impassioned editors [to] storm the field with their own ideas.”
Despite stepping back from her longstanding role, she noted she would retain several responsibilities, adding with characteristic wit: “It goes without saying that I plan to remain Vogue’s tennis and theatre editor in perpetuity.”
Born and raised in London, Wintour served as editor of British Vogue before taking the helm at American Vogue in 1988.
She is credited with revitalising the U.S. edition, introducing a fresh editorial vision that blended high fashion with accessibility and gave exposure to emerging models and designers.
Throughout her career, Wintour became one of the most powerful and recognisable figures in the fashion world. Beyond the magazine, she has chaired the Met Gala, New York’s prestigious annual fundraiser, since 1995, drawing global attention and A-list celebrities.
Known for her sharp bob haircut and trademark sunglasses, Wintour has described her shades as “a prop,” telling the BBC they help her “see and not see.”
Her legacy also reached popular culture, with her leadership at Vogue widely believed to have inspired the character of Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada, written by her former assistant Lauren Weisberger.
Wintour was named a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2017 by Queen Elizabeth II and, earlier this year, was appointed a Companion of Honour by King Charles III.
According to Wintour, when the King recently asked if she planned to retire, she responded with a “firmly no.”
