Surprise Announcement by Anna Wintour Leaves Vogue and Vanity Fair Employees Stunned

Anna Wintour shocked her team when she unexpectedly became emotional during a meeting regarding Radhika Jones’s departure as Vanity Fair’s editor-in-chief.

During the Thursday meeting where Jones, 52, announced her departure after a seven-year tenure at the celebrity-focused monthly magazine, Wintour, 75, who serves as the artistic director at Condé Nast and editor-in-chief of Vogue, was described as ‘tearful’.

In a memo addressing Jones’ surprising decision to leave, Wintour praised the departing editor-in-chief for her exceptional work, expressing her ‘deepest regret’ at her impending departure.

‘Earlier this week, Radhika was describing to me her deep pride at her commission of Amy Sherald’s painting of Breonna Taylor for the September 2020 cover of Vanity Fair, and what a defining cultural moment that had been. And that is exactly what I believe a great editor does – she defines the times,’ an emotional Wintour wrote.

Jones, who took the helm in 2017, told staffers in a 12:30pm meeting at Vanity Fair’s New York offices at One World Trade Center that she will depart later this spring.

‘Those of you who know me well know that I can be a little restless, once a mission is accomplished. And I have always had a horror of staying too long at the party,’ Jones wrote in a company-wide memo, obtained by the Hollywood Reporter.

‘So I’ve made the decision to leave Vanity Fair this spring. It was a difficult decision, because it was a tremendous privilege to lead this team.’

A source close to the situation told the New York Post that Jones has been thinking about leaving Conde Nast, home to Vogue, The New Yorker and Wired, for some time.

Anna Wintour (pictured) stunned her Vogue and Vanity Fair staff when she unexpectedly showed emotion during a meeting about Radhika Jones’s departure as Vanity Fair’s editor-in-chief

Radhika Jones, 52,who took the helm in 2017, told staffers in a 12:30 pm meeting at Vanity Fair’s offices at One World Trade Center in New York that she will depart later this spring. Pictured: Anna Wintour (left) with Radhika Jones (right) at the CARE Impact Awards in New York City on November 8, 2023

Jones’ exit from the company comes at a particularly difficult time for magazines, which have been squeezed by declines in advertising and readership.

She commended the staff over its accomplishments and reminisced over her time as editor.

‘At the end of every year, I look over the memo I wrote back in 2017 when I was interviewing to be the editor of Vanity Fair, as a way to remember the goals I had and check my progress. Last year, somewhat to my surprise, I realized that – with your help – I had accomplished virtually all of those goals,’ Jones said.

A new editor-in-chief has yet to be determined, however, Wintour said that Jones will ‘be helping with the transition.’

‘Radhika has shown herself to be as much at home on the red carpet as sitting front row, and has graciously hosted the most legendary party in Hollywood. She has done it all with poise and wit and wisdom,’ Wintour said.

‘In the coming weeks, Radhika will be helping us with the transition as we start the search for a new editor,’ she continued. 

‘We look forward to Vanity Fair’s exciting next chapter. Radhika, we are so grateful for your high standards of journalism, your fearlessness and your empathetic leadership. You will be much missed.’

Jones’ departure from the company comes at a particularly difficult time for magazines, which have been squeezed by declines in advertising and readership. Pictured: Radhika Jones attends The Gothams 34th Annual Film Awards at Cipriani Wall Street on December 02, 2024 in New York City

A new editor-in-chief has yet to be determined, however, Wintour said that Jones will ‘be helping with the transition.’ Pictured: Anna Wintour and Radhika Jones attend the Ellie Awards 2018 on March 13, 2018 in New York City

Prior to joining Vanity Fair, Jones served as the editor of the New York Times books section. Pictured: Vanity Fair issues on display

Prior to joining Vanity Fair, Jones served as the editor of the New York Times books section. She also worked at the Paris Review and Time, where she oversaw the Person of the Year franchise as well as the Time 100.

She has also worked at Artforum, Bookforum and Grand Street, a literary and arts quarterly.

Jones’ appointment seven years ago succeeded former EIC Graydon Carter, who stepped down after 25 years at the famed celebrity publication.

Jones was the first female editor of Vanity Fair since Tina Brown served as the magazine’s editor from 1984 until 1992.