Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour invited retired Swiss tennis player Roger Federer, among others, to host this year's Met Gala in honor of Karl Lagerfeld
AFP News

Few figures in fashion command the influence and recognition that Anna Wintour does. At 75, she remains a defining force in the industry, shaping trends and inspiring countless careers. Her journey from a London schoolgirl to one of the most powerful women in publishing is a story of relentless dedication and unshakeable vision.

But now, after a life dedicated to fashion, people ask, how much wealth has Anna Wintour amassed over the years, and what was she known for when she was in her youth?

Life and Background

Born on 3 November 1949 in Hampstead, London, Anna Wintour was raised in a household deeply rooted in journalism and media. Her father, Charles Wintour, was the editor of the Evening Standard, and her mother, Eleanor "Nonie" Trego Baker, was a film critic and television reviewer. These influences helped ignite Anna's interest in media and fashion from a young age. She attended Queen's College and later North London Collegiate School, where her rebellious streak emerged through her defiance of dress codes and her fascination with style.

Growing up amidst Britain's cultural upheaval of the 1960s, Anna eagerly devoured magazines like Seventeen sent from the US by her grandmother. Her passion for fashion was evident early on; she worked at Biba, a trendy London boutique, at just 15. She also took brief fashion classes but famously declared, 'You either know fashion or you don't,' signalling her confidence and determination to forge her own path.

Career Beginnings and Rise to Prominence

Anna's career in fashion journalism began in earnest in the early 1970s. She gained experience at Oz, a controversial magazine, thanks to her then-boyfriend Richard Neville. Later, she worked at Harper's & Queen in London, where she learned crucial skills like selecting clothes, collaborating with photographers, and layout design. Her bold approach often brought her into conflict with colleagues, but her talent for recognising talent and her unwavering work ethic set her apart.

In 1975, she moved to New York, working briefly at Harper's Bazaar US and then at Viva, a provocative women's magazine. Despite its short lifespan, Viva gave Anna creative freedom to experiment and build her reputation. She also worked at Savvy, targeting businesswomen, and later at New York magazine, where her flair for featuring celebrities on covers began to take hold.

Her tenure at British Vogue from 1985 to 1987 was marked by rapid, radical changes. She transformed the magazine's aesthetic, shifting from romantic images to sleek, career-focused visuals that appealed to modern women interested in business and style. These moves laid the groundwork for her eventual return to American Vogue.

What Was She Known For When She Was Young? What Is She Best Known For?

When Anna Wintour was young, she was known for her rebellious spirit and keen interest in fashion, even before she began her career in the fashion industry. She famously rebelled against school dress codes, preferring to experiment with mini skirts and other trends. She also gained early experience in the fashion world through connections and jobs at various publications, including Harpers & Queen and Petticoat magazine.

Growing up in London, she was recognized for her confident personality and a keen eye for design, which laid the groundwork for her future career in the fashion industry. She attended the University of London and later studied at the Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design, where she developed her passion for fashion and editorial work. Her early involvement in fashion circles and her sharp sense of style contributed to her reputation as a rising talent in the fashion world even before she became the influential editor-in-chief of Vogue.

Stylistically, she is forever remembered for her oversized sunglasses and her iconic hairstyle, which she began wearing in a bob at the age of 14. Now 75, after years of success and experience and finally stepping down as Editor-In-Chief of Vogue, many are wondering what her net worth is. Sources differ on their conclusions, but as of 2025 the figure is somewhere between $35 million and $50 million (£25.5 to £36.5 million).