Anna Wintour has stepped down from her editorial role at Vogue after nearly four decades, a decision that insiders say comes in the wake of harsh criticism over her handling of this year’s Met Gala.
The 75-year-old fashion powerhouse shocked staff earlier this week by announcing she would begin searching for a new head of editorial content for the magazine. Her exit marks the end of a chapter she began in 1988, when she replaced Grace Mirabella as editor-in-chief.
Wintour will remain at Condé Nast in a high-level role as global chief content officer, but sources say the decision to step back from Vogue was not entirely voluntary.
Industry figures point to the 2025 Met Gala as the tipping point. Despite its polished presentation, the event was widely panned as uninspired and irrelevant. Fashion PR veteran Sarah Schmidt said the gala lost its edge and failed to drive conversation. She added that Wintour stepping down now could be seen as a strategic move to preserve her legacy while acknowledging the shift in fashion’s cultural power.
Internal push and public backlash put pressure on Wintour
While Wintour has publicly dismissed criticism in the past, insiders claim the backlash this year was impossible to ignore. For months, staff reportedly debated her future quietly. One Condé Nast source said Wintour’s decision came after intense internal pressure following the Met Gala’s failure to capture public imagination.
Online, longtime readers and fashion followers expressed disbelief. Some called her resignation heartbreaking, while others declared they would stop reading the magazine altogether. The magazine’s social media channels were flooded with comments mourning the end of Wintour’s reign.
Still, Wintour has shown no signs of slowing down. During a recent visit to Buckingham Palace, she told King Charles she had no plans to stop working when he asked her directly. After being awarded a prestigious Companion of Honor, Wintour told reporters she felt energized and ready to achieve more in the industry.
Vogue faces uncertain future as leadership shifts
Wintour’s departure leaves Vogue in uncharted territory. She famously transformed the magazine’s tone with a now-iconic 1988 cover featuring jeans and a $10,000 sweater. Over the years, she dictated trends, launched careers, and cemented her role as fashion’s most feared and revered figure.
But in recent years, her leadership has come under fire. Critics have labeled her as out of touch, especially after tone-deaf statements about diversity and allyship in fashion. Despite the controversies, she held onto power—until now.
Though she remains behind the scenes at Condé Nast, questions loom over whether she still has control over Vogue’s editorial direction.
Quick facts about Anna Wintour
Anna Wintour, born on November 3, 1949, in London, is widely regarded as one of the most powerful figures in global fashion. She began her career in journalism at Harper’s & Queen in London before moving to New York, eventually becoming editor-in-chief of Vogue in 1988.
Wintour is best known for revolutionizing the magazine’s visual identity, starting with her first cover featuring a model in jeans paired with a $10,000 couture sweater. Her tenure at Vogue lasted 37 years, making her the longest-serving editor in the magazine’s history.
Despite stepping down from that role in 2025, she continues to serve as Condé Nast’s global chief content officer and Vogue’s global editorial director. With her signature pageboy haircut, oversized sunglasses, and commanding presence, Wintour has shaped fashion trends, launched countless designer careers, and built the Met Gala into a cultural juggernaut.
She was awarded Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2017 and received the Companion of Honor in 2025. Known for her no-nonsense leadership style—often described as icy and exacting—Wintour inspired the fictional character Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada. Her influence in fashion, media, and culture has made her a symbol of editorial authority and industry dominance for decades.
- Full Name: Dame Anna Wintour
- Born: November 3, 1949, in London, England
- Age: 75 (as of 2025)
- Nationality: British-American
- Known For: Longtime editor-in-chief of Vogue and global fashion influencer
- Career at Vogue: Editor-in-chief since 1988 (stepped down in 2025 after 37 years)
- Current Role: Global Chief Content Officer of Condé Nast and Global Editorial Director at Vogue
- Signature Look: Always wears sunglasses, a bob haircut, and designer clothing
- First Vogue Cover: November 1988, featuring model Michaela Bercu in jeans and a Christian Lacroix sweater
- Net Worth: Estimated over $50 million
- Honors: Awarded Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 2017 and Companion of Honor in 2025
- Famous For: Shaping global fashion trends, launching designers’ careers, and overseeing the Met Gala
- Nickname: Often referred to as the “most powerful woman in fashion”
- Inspired Film: Loosely inspired the character Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada
- Family: Daughter of Charles Wintour, former editor of the Evening Standard
- Education: Dropped out of North London Collegiate School to work in fashion journalism
- Early Career: Started at Harper’s & Queen in London before moving to Vogue in New York
- Controversies: Frequently criticized for lack of diversity, icy persona, and high fashion elitism
Jaja has a degree in journalism and took classes in international law and business communication. Her career spans roles at prominent international media outlets, including International Business Times, Celebeat and Delightful Philippines. As a news editor, Jaja covered a wide range of beats, including legal, business, economy, cryptocurrency, personal finance, gaming, technology, and entertainment.