Meryl Streep and Anna Wintour: Sixth Cousins Discovered
Meryl Streep and Anna Wintour, two of the most influential figures in their respective fields, have long been linked through the cultural phenomenon The Devil Wears Prada. Wintour, who served as editor-in-chief of Vogue for 37 years, has widely been considered the real-life inspiration behind Streep's iconic portrayal of fashion editor Miranda Priestly. However, it turns out that the connection between the two women runs far deeper than fiction.
According to Ancestry.com, Streep, 76, and Wintour, also 76, are sixth cousins. By examining billions of historical records and public family trees, the genealogy platform determined that the two share fifth great-grandparents, Thomas Smith and Elizabeth Kinsey, who resided outside Philadelphia in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
A Fascinating New Layer
The discovery adds a fascinating layer to an already compelling story. Streep's celebrated portrayal of Miranda Priestly, widely regarded as one of her finest performances, may have had a touch of biology behind it all along. The two women, born the same year and now linked by ancestry, have spent decades circling each other's worlds without ever knowing the full extent of their connection.
Adding another twist to the story, Lauren Weisberger, who wrote the novel The Devil Wears Prada that inspired the original film, was Wintour's former assistant. Per Ancestry records, Weisberger grew up in Allentown, just 20 miles away from where Streep and Wintour's shared ancestors once lived.
What Anna Wintour Has Said About Miranda Priestly
In December 2024, Wintour addressed public speculation about any links between herself and Streep's Priestly. Speaking with the BBC, she said it was "for the audience and for the people I work with to decide if there are any similarities between Miranda Priestly and me," stopping well short of either confirming or denying the long-held assumption.
The Devil Wears Prada 2
The sequel sees the return of Streep as Miranda, Anne Hathaway as Andy Sachs, Emily Blunt as Emily Charlton, and Stanley Tucci as Nigel Kipling. The story picks up as the Runway editor-in-chief approaches retirement and teams up with Andy to face off against her former assistant turned rival, Emily.
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