When Anna Wintour and Bill Nighy walked the Met Gala red carpet arm in arm on May 1, 2023, fashion fans around the world gasped. The Vogue powerhouse and the Love Actually star had finally made a joint public appearance after years of speculation. 2000s fashion trends like low-rise jeans, velour tracksuits, and baguette handbags have made a major comeback in 2026. Here is everything you need to know about Anna Wintour and Bill Nighy.
A Friendship That Spans Two Decades
Anna Wintour and Bill Nighy have known each other for more than twenty years. Their friendship reportedly began in the early 2000s, navigating overlapping social circles tied to Britain’s stage scene. Wintour’s connection to the theatre ran deep. Her father, Charles Wintour, founded the Evening Standard Theatre Awards, and she never shied away from showing her support for the performing arts.
In 2006, Wintour was in the crowd at the Broadway premiere of The Vertical Hour, a play in which Bill Nighy starred. Throughout the late 2000s, they were regularly spotted together during Wintour’s visits to London. In 2009, they were seen slipping out of a theatre performance before intermission to dine together, prompting early speculation about their relationship.
Dating Rumors First Surface in 2021
Dating rumors first resurfaced in 2021 after Nighy and Wintour were seen having dinner together in Italy. The sighting prompted renewed interest in the nature of their bond. Throughout the following years, the two were seen attending fashion shows side by side. They often shared affectionate greetings, cheek kisses, whispers, and knowing smiles.
In 2011, Wintour extended her support even further by hiring Nighy’s daughter, Mary, to create a short film for Vogue inspired by that year’s Met Gala. That gesture was another public sign of their enduring friendship.
At the 2023 Met Gala: Arm in Arm
The 2023 Met Gala celebrated the theme “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty.” Anna Wintour, who has organized and presided over the Met Gala since 1995, attended the event arm-in-arm with Bill Nighy. Their joint appearance seemed to confirm years of rumors that they were an item.
The pair walked the red carpet together, posing for photos and appearing comfortable in each other’s company. For Wintour, who is famously private about her personal life, this public display was highly unusual. The moment became one of the most talked-about highlights of the evening.
The Confusion: Denials from Both Sides
What happened next only deepened the mystery. A representative for Bill Nighy assured Page Six the day after the Met Gala: “Bill and Anna have simply been great friends for two decades. They are not in a relationship.” The actor’s team was firm in their denial, insisting the pair were nothing more than close friends.
However, a source in Wintour’s camp told the same publication: “We think last night speaks for itself.” Wintour’s representatives declined to comment. The conflicting messages left fans and media outlets confused about the true nature of their relationship.
What Bill Nighy Has Said About the Rumors
Bill Nighy has addressed the speculation in interviews over the years. In 2015, when The Wall Street Journal asked Nighy whether he was seeing someone, he replied: “Well, I have obviously nothing to say about that.” Then came the memorable kicker: “There are a lot of rumours about me and probably about Anna Wintour.”
His coy response only fueled further speculation. Nighy has never confirmed a romantic relationship with Wintour, but he has also never fully denied the possibility. His comments have always walked a careful line between privacy and playful ambiguity.
The Shelby Bryan Factor
Throughout much of the speculation about Nighy, Anna Wintour was actually in a long-term relationship with someone else. Wintour was in a 20-year relationship with Shelby Bryan, an American businessman and investor. The couple had a rocky relationship. They split for the first time in 2004 before getting back together. They split again in 2020.
At events, Bryan respectfully stood a few paces away while the attention was on Wintour. For someone notorious for her organization and particularities in life, her on-again, off-again relationship with Bryan did not scream “end-game.” Three years after their final split in 2020, Wintour took the Met Gala carpet with Bill Nighy on her arm.
Where Are They Now in 2026?
As of 2026, Anna Wintour appears to be single. She now serves as chief creative officer and artistic director of Condé Nast, having stepped down as editor-in-chief of American Vogue in 2025. She continues to oversee the Met Gala, which remains under her guardianship.
At the 2026 Met Gala, Wintour arrived in a teal Chanel haute couture gown with a ruffled feather cape by Matthieu Blazy. She paired the look with her signature black shades and Van Cleef & Arpels jewellery. Notably, she did not accessorise with Bill Nighy this year. The pair walked arm in arm down the carpet only once, in 2023. Perhaps he was waiting for her inside, or perhaps their joint appearance was a one-time event.
Fans Still Speculate
Despite the constant denials from both sides, fans refuse to believe that Anna Wintour and Bill Nighy are only platonically involved. Any time they make a rare public appearance together, the theories begin to flow. Their body language, shared smiles, and obvious comfort with each other continue to fuel speculation.
Whether it is romance or just two icons enjoying each other’s company as friends, fans are rooting for whatever makes them happy. The truth remains one of fashion’s most enduring mysteries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Anna Wintour and Bill Nighy in a relationship? Bill Nighy’s representative has denied romantic involvement, stating they are “simply great friends for two decades.” However, their joint appearance at the 2023 Met Gala sparked renewed speculation.
When did Anna Wintour and Bill Nighy meet? They reportedly first met in the early 2000s through overlapping social circles tied to Britain’s stage scene. They have been friends for over two decades.
Did Anna Wintour bring Bill Nighy to the Met Gala? Yes, they attended the 2023 Met Gala together, walking the red carpet arm in arm. It was their first major joint public appearance after years of speculation.
Was Anna Wintour married to Bill Nighy? No. Anna Wintour has never been married to Bill Nighy. She was once married to David Shaffer and later had a long-term relationship with Shelby Bryan.
Is Bill Nighy married? Bill Nighy has never married. He was in a long-term relationship with actress Diana Quick from 1980 to 2008. They have one daughter, Mary Nighy.
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