Anna Wintour Steps Down at Vogue After 37 Years—But She’s Not Done Yet

After nearly 40 years, Anna Wintour is officially stepping down as editor in chief of Vogue Magazine. The news was confirmed June 25 by Condé Nast and reported by The Daily Front Row, WWD, and Business of Fashion.

Wintour, 74, isn’t leaving completely—she’ll stay on as Condé Nast’s global chief content officer and global editorial director of Vogue, but won’t be handling the day-to-day operations of the U.S. edition anymore, according to People. Her first issue back in 1988 made headlines for featuring a model in jeans, hinting at her bold, new direction that mixed high fashion with streetwear.

As part of Condé Nast’s ongoing global restructure, Vogue will now bring in a new head of editorial content to lead the American edition. That person will report directly to Wintour, who’ll still oversee all international Vogue editions along with other major titles like GQ, Vanity Fair, and Wired—excluding The New Yorker. She’ll also continue running major events like the Met Gala and Vogue World.

Speculation is now building over who will take her place. Some of the top names being floated include Architectural Digest editor Amy Astley, who also launched Teen Vogue; British Vogue’s current editor Chioma Nnadi; and Kate Betts, a former Vogue staffer who was once seen as Wintour’s heir apparent before heading to Harper’s Bazaar. No official word yet on who’s getting the job.

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Vogue’s Next Chapter Begins

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Now that the editor-in-chief title is retired, Vogue’s starting a new chapter with a head of editorial content stepping in to run the day-to-day. This move is part of a bigger shake-up Condé Nast started a few years ago to keep their global content more in sync.

The new editorial lead will reportedly shape American Vogue’s direction while still working closely with Wintour. Even though she’s stepping back from the day-to-day, her influence across the Condé Nast brands—like Vanity Fair and Bon Appétit—isn’t going anywhere.

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Wintour’s Fashion Legacy and Pop Culture Influence

Since stepping in as Vogue’s editor in chief back in 1988, Anna Wintour has changed the way fashion is covered—and consumed. She helped turn magazine covers into celebrity moments, spotlighted rising designers like Marc Jacobs and Alexander McQueen, and played a huge role in bringing fashion into the pop culture spotlight.

Her signature bob, dark sunglasses, and no-nonsense presence became iconic, even inspiring fictional characters—most famously Meryl Streep’s Miranda Priestly in “The Devil Wears Prada“.

Outside of publishing, Wintour has been the force behind the Met Gala since 1995. She oversees everything from the themes to the menu and seating chart. Her push to expand the guest list and embrace more daring fashion helped turn it into one of the most talked-about nights in entertainment.

Anna Wintour once spoke on the value of lasting success, saying, “If you’re an overnight sensation, you can be yesterday’s news in no time. Whereas building something slowly and carefully that has value and quality, that’s what’s going to have legs.”

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