Annie Leibovitz
Born 1949 · Age 77
American portrait photographer known for intimate, cinematic celebrity portraits; staff photographer at Rolling Stone (chief photographer 1973–1983), longtime Vanity Fair photographer, major museum retrospectives, many books and awards.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Waterbury, Connecticut
Anna-Lou "Annie" Leibovitz born to Marilyn Edith (Heit) and Samuel Leibovitz.
Family moves to Scott Air Force Base
Family moved after Samuel Leibovitz re-enlisted in the Air Force.
Frequent family relocations during childhood
Family lived in multiple U.S. locations (CT, OH, CO, MS, AK, TX, MD) over decade due to father's military career.
Attends Northwood High School (Silver Spring)
Began exploring arts: writing, music, and early artistic interests during high school.
Enrolls at San Francisco Art Institute
Entered SFAI intending to study painting; later shifted to photography after a workshop.
Receives first camera; night photography class; changes major
Parents bought her a camera; she took a night class and switched her major from painting to photography.
Lives and photographs on Kibbutz Amir in Israel
Spent several months on Kibbutz Amir producing photographs for school — early reportage work.
First assignment for Rolling Stone
While still a student, began working for Rolling Stone; first assignment included Grace Slick; early NYC assignment produced John Lennon image.
Receives BFA from San Francisco Art Institute
Graduated with a bachelor of fine arts; early published photos helped secure Rolling Stone position.
Soledad State Prison photographs (Christmas)
Photographed prisoners with visiting family members on Christmas — notable early social documentary work.
Photographs the Rolling Stones (San Francisco)
Shot the Rolling Stones in 1971–72 and developed relationship with rock subjects.
Named Chief Photographer at Rolling Stone
Jann Wenner appointed Leibovitz chief photographer, a position she held for a decade.
Documents The Rolling Stones' Tour of the Americas '75
Commissioned as tour/concert photographer for the six-month Stones tour; deep immersion in rock life.
Personal struggle: begins using cocaine on tour
Began cocaine use while on tour — later struggled and recovered; noted as influential personal challenge.
Linda Ronstadt cover shoot for Rolling Stone
Photographed Linda Ronstadt in iconic bed portrait (red slip) for a 1976 cover story.
Fleetwood Mac Rolling Stone cover/spread
Photographed Fleetwood Mac for a 1977 Rolling Stone issue (group portraits).
Dolly Parton and Arnold Schwarzenegger Rolling Stone spread
Shot memorable spread with Dolly and Arnold (Aug 25, 1977).
Photographs Joan Armatrading album To the Limit
Shot the cover (spent four days at her house) and also photographed Steppin' Out live album.
Photographs John Lennon and Yoko Ono (last professional session)
Took the famous Polaroid/portrait of Lennon curled naked beside clothed Yoko Ono—five hours before Lennon's murder.
John Lennon & Yoko Ono image runs on Rolling Stone cover
Rolling Stone published the image as the grieving magazine's cover; became iconic career-defining photo.
Contributes to prototype of revived Vanity Fair
Art director Bea Feitler invited her to contribute to the revived Vanity Fair prototype.
Joins Vanity Fair permanently; publishes first book
Became a Vanity Fair staff photographer and published Annie Leibovitz: Photographs (Pantheon/Rolling Stone Press).
Named Photographer of the Year (ASMP)
Recognized by the American Society of Magazine Photographers as Photographer of the Year.
Commissioned as official portrait photographer for World Cup (Mexico)
Photographed Olympic/World Cup-related portraiture projects (major sports portrait commissions).
Wins Clio for American Express campaign
Her advertising portraits for American Express won a Clio Award; campaign widely acclaimed.
Exhibition at National Portrait Gallery (first woman featured)
Mounted Photographs: Annie Leibovitz 1970–1990 at the National Portrait Gallery; second living portraitist and first woman to show there.
Made Commandeur, Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (France)
Honored by the French government for significant contributions to the arts (date reported in sources; some sources vary).
Notable commercial: Sonia Braga for American Express campaign (1991)
Commercial/advertising portrait work for American Express and other ad clients across career (notable 1991 image).
Demi Moore 'More Demi Moore' pregnant Vanity Fair cover (Aug 1991)
High-profile cover of a nude pregnant Demi Moore — iconic, widely discussed photograph.
Demi's Birthday Suit painted-on suit cover (Aug 1992)
Second high-profile Demi Moore Vanity Fair cover, body-painted suit image.
Photographs Carl Lewis for Pirelli 'Power Is Nothing' campaign
Created notable ad image of Carl Lewis wearing bright red stilettos for Pirelli campaign.
Publishes Olympic Portraits
Publication of Olympic Portraits (Bulfinch Press) featuring portraits of American Olympians.
Begins working regularly for Vogue
Expanded editorial work to Vogue in addition to Vanity Fair.
Publishes Women with Susan Sontag; Corcoran exhibition
Published Women (Random House) with essay by Susan Sontag; accompanied by exhibition at Corcoran Gallery.
Inducted into ADC Hall of Fame
Recognition by ADC (Art Directors Club) Hall of Fame.
Receives Barnard College Medal of Distinction
Award recognizing distinguished contributions (listed by timeline sources).
Named a Library of Congress Living Legend
Designated as a Living Legend by the U.S. Library of Congress.
Birth of first daughter, Sarah Cameron Leibovitz
Gave birth in October 2001 (reported age 52 at birth).
Publishes Annie Leibovitz: American Music; wins Lucie Award
American Music (Random House) published; recognized by Lucie Awards.
ASME ranks two Leibovitz covers #1 and #2
American Society of Magazine Editors placed two of her magazine covers at the top of its list of top 40 magazine covers of the prior 40 years.
Birth of twin daughters Susan and Samuelle (via surrogate)
Twin girls born to a surrogate in May 2005.
Publishes A Photographer's Life: 1990–2005; Brooklyn Museum exhibition
Book A Photographer's Life: 1990–2005 published; Brooklyn Museum hosted a major traveling retrospective derived from the book.
Reportedly made Commandeur, Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (alternate source)
Some sources list a 2006 Commandeur designation; sources conflict with earlier 1991 date.
Disney 'Year of a Million Dreams' campaign photography
Hired by Walt Disney Company to photograph celebrities for Disney Parks 'Year of a Million Dreams' campaign.
Brooklyn Museum retrospective tours (Corcoran, Legion of Honor, Berlin)
Major touring retrospective (based on A Photographer's Life) displayed at multiple institutions through 2009.
BBC controversy over Queen Elizabeth II photoshoot edits
BBC misrepresented sequence in a trailer of Leibovitz photographing the Queen; BBC apologized; led to BBC ethics scrutiny.
Vogue cover with LeBron James and Gisele Bündchen sparks controversy
April/Mar 2008 Vogue cover likened to King Kong poster drew accusations of racial stereotyping.
Miley Cyrus Vanity Fair photo controversy
April 2008 photos of 15-year-old Miley Cyrus (shot by Leibovitz) created a public outcry; images clarified as sheet-wrapped.
Documentary: 'Annie Leibovitz: Life Through a Lens' released (American Masters)
PBS American Masters documentary about Leibovitz's life and career (2009); sister Barbara directed.
Borrows $15.5 million using works and property as collateral
Leibovitz borrowed US$15.5M amid financial difficulties, putting houses and photograph rights up as collateral.
Art Capital Group sues for US$24 million
Art Capital Group filed a $24M breach of contract suit regarding repayment of loans.
Art Capital withdraws lawsuit; extends due date
On Sep 11 Art Capital Group withdrew the $24M suit and extended the loan repayment date; Leibovitz retained control over works under agreement.
Colony Capital financing/marketing deal pays off Art Capital
Colony Capital reached agreement that paid off Art Capital, reducing threat of loss of works/real estate.
Brunswick Capital Partners sues over restructuring fees
Brunswick Capital claimed it was owed several hundred thousand dollars for debt restructuring work.
Publishes Pilgrimage; nominated Asia Pacific Photographer of the Year
Pilgrimage (2011) published; nominated alongside others for Asia Pacific Photographer of the Year; had a Moscow exhibit in Oct 2011.
Lists West Village townhouse for sale at $33 million
Placed Greenwich Village townhouse on market for $33M, stating desire to move closer to daughter.
Receives Prince of Asturias Award for Communication
Awarded the Prince of Asturias Award for Communication and Humanities (major international recognition).
International Center of Photography Lifetime Achievement Award (reported)
She has received ICP Lifetime Achievement recognition (source lists this among her honors).
Principal photographer for Pirelli 2016 calendar
Shot the 2016 Pirelli calendar focusing on admired women (Amy Schumer, Serena Williams, Patti Smith).
Receives Paez Medal of Art (VAEA)
Awarded the Paez Medal of Art.
WOMEN: New Portraits traveling exhibition (UBS)
Presented 'WOMEN: New Portraits' in 10 cities worldwide (update of earlier Women project).
Inducted into International Photography Hall of Fame and Museum
Recognized by the International Photography Hall of Fame in 2016.
Launches online course 'Annie Leibovitz Teaches Photography' (MasterClass)
Announced and released an online masterclass teaching photography and her creative process.
Photographs Star Wars: The Last Jedi and Force Awakens casts for Vanity Fair
Shot cast portraits for major film franchises (2015 & 2017 Vanity Fair issues).
Photographs Serena Williams pregnant for Vanity Fair (cover Aug 2017)
Shot the widely circulated portrait of Serena Williams while pregnant for Vanity Fair cover.
Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts, Rhode Island School of Design
Awarded an honorary doctorate recognizing lifetime achievements in photography.
Vanity Fair photo controversy: Reese Witherspoon cover (legibility/manipulation)
January 2018 Vanity Fair cover drew online criticism for image manipulation appearing to show actress with three legs.
Exhibition 'The Early Years, 1970–1983' at Hauser & Wirth (LA)
Archive Project No.1 exhibited early career works in Los Angeles (Feb–Apr 2019).
Publishes Annie Leibovitz: Wonderland (SUMO-sized)
Large-format book publication collecting major works (reported in bibliographies).
Photographs Ukrainian first family (Olena Zelenska & Volodymyr Zelenskyy) for Vogue
Shot portraits of Ukraine's first lady and president during the 2022 Russian invasion.
Commissioned by IKEA to create 'life at home' portrait series
IKEA engaged Leibovitz to produce 25 portraits exploring life at home.
Crystal Bridges: 'Annie Leibovitz at Work' exhibition opens
Major retrospective at Crystal Bridges Museum showcasing more than 300 images spanning 50+ years (Sept 16, 2023–Jan 29, 2024).
Crystal Bridges retrospective closes (end of run)
Exhibition ran through Jan 29, 2024 (end of major retrospective run).
Photographs portraits for TV series The Chosen (Season 5)
Produced several portraits for The Chosen's Season 5 promotional materials (reported Feb 2025).
Key Achievement Ages
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