Meryl Streep and Anna Wintour Share Surprising Family Connection
In a revelation that blurs the lines between Hollywood fiction and real-life fashion royalty, Meryl Streep and Anna Wintour have been confirmed as distant relatives. The two iconic figures, both aged 76, are famously linked through Streep's portrayal of Miranda Priestley in The Devil Wears Prada, a character widely believed to be inspired by Wintour's formidable reputation as Vogue's editor-in-chief.
Genealogical Discovery Through Historical Records
Research conducted by Ancestry.com has uncovered that Streep and Wintour are actually sixth cousins. They share fifth great-grandparents, Thomas Smith and Elizabeth Kinsey, who resided in Bucks County, Pennsylvania during the 18th century. The genealogy company made this discovery after meticulously examining billions of historical records and public family trees, as reported by People magazine.
Streep, who recently appeared on The Late Show wearing a leopard-print top that echoed her character's bold style, now has a biological connection to the woman who indirectly shaped one of her most memorable roles. Interestingly, Lauren Weisberger, the author of the original The Devil Wears Prada novel, grew up in Allentown, Pennsylvania, just 20 miles from where Streep and Wintour's ancestors lived.
Timing Coincides with Highly Anticipated Sequel Release
This genealogical revelation arrives just ahead of the May 1 premiere of The Devil Wears Prada 2, in which Streep reprises her role as the icy Miranda Priestley, two decades after the original film debuted. Streep's Miranda is the ruthless editor-in-chief of Runway fashion magazine, known for her cool exterior and sophisticated taste that dominates her workplace.
Wintour served as editor-in-chief of American Vogue for 37 years before stepping down from that position in June 2025. She continues as global editorial director of Vogue and chief content officer for Conde Nast. Comparisons between the iconic Vogue editor and Streep's fictional character have persisted for years, with Wintour remaining coy when questioned about similarities.
Public Interactions and Professional Crossings
In a December 2024 interview with the BBC, Wintour diplomatically stated that it was "for the audience and for the people I work with to decide if there are any similarities between me and Miranda Priestly." Despite the persistent comparisons, Streep and Wintour have maintained a cordial relationship since the film's 2006 release.
Their interactions include a friendly 2017 sit-down in Wintour's office, captured in a Vogue video where Wintour asked Streep about the most challenging woman she had ever portrayed. When Streep hesitated, Wintour laughingly interjected, "No, we're not going there, Meryl," preventing any direct reference to the Miranda character.
Fashion Week Encounters and Sequel Developments
More recently, in September 2025, both women attended the Dolce & Gabbana Milan Fashion Week show while Streep was filming the Prada sequel. Vogue shared footage of their warm interaction, with a playful Streep telling Wintour, "This is my first fashion show." Wintour was also seen conversing with Stanley Tucci, who returns as Nigel Kipling in the upcoming film.
The Devil Wears Prada 2 brings back original cast members including Anne Hathaway as Andy Sachs and Emily Blunt as Emily Charlton, alongside new additions such as Justin Theroux, Lady Gaga, Kenneth Branagh, Lucy Liu, and Simone Ashley. The discovery of Streep and Wintour's familial connection adds an intriguing layer to the cultural phenomenon surrounding the franchise, merging personal history with cinematic legacy in unexpected ways.
