UPDATED: New York Times books editor Radhika Jones has been named the next editor-in-chief of Vanity Fair, the company officially annouced on Monday.
Jones will succeed Graydon Carter, who announced in September that he would be stepping down after 25 years at the publication.
Jones is the first female editor of Vanity Fair since Tina Brown served as the magazine’s editor from 1984 until 1992.
“Radhika is an exceptionally talented editor who has the experience and insight to drive the cultural conversation—balancing distinctive journalism with culture and humor,” said Bob Sauerberg, president and CEO of Condé Nast. “Her experience covering news and entertainment has given her a thorough understanding of the importance of chronicling and celebrating the moments that matter. With her expansive worldview, I know she will guide Vanity Fair’s history of provocative and enduring storytelling well into its future.”
Robert Sauerberg, the chief executive of Condé Nast, and Anna Wintour, the editor-in-chief of Vogue and Condé Nast’s artistic director, oversaw the search for a replacement that was kicked off by Carter’s announcement. David Remnick, the editor of The New Yorker, also played a significant role in selecting Carter’s successor.
Though Jones is a well-known figure in the New York literary world, she is relatively unknown in Hollywood. She was previously the deputy managing editor at Time magazine where she oversaw the Time 100 issue. She has also worked at the Paris Review, where she was a managing editor. She holds degrees from Harvard College and Columbia University.
“There is nothing else out there quite like Vanity Fair,” Jones said. “It doesn’t just reflect our culture — it drives our understanding of it. It can mix high and low, wit and gravitas, powerful narrative and irresistible photography. It has a legacy of influential reporting, unmatchable style and, above all, dedication to its readers. I am honored to succeed Graydon Carter as editor and excited to get to work.”
