Annie Leibovitz - ‘Icon is a word that is used a lot, but Gloria Steinem is one of the few people who qualifies.’

All of us at Phaidon were sorry to learn of the passing of Gloria Steinem, the writer and feminist icon whose tireless work helped push through greater rights for women around the world, over five decades of truly groundbreaking activism. 

Steinem spearheaded sweeping cultural transformations across virtually every facet of women’s lives, in business, law, sport, entertainment, the arts, and in the home.

The 92-year-old “passed away peacefully in New York City, surrounded by some of the many who loved her.

“Gloria’s near-century on earth were years well-lived, and she continued working for equality until the very end,” a statement shared to her Instagram page said. “Gloria’s greatest gift was her ability to listen to others, to make others feel seen and heard. Her words, actions, and example gave people permission to be their truest selves.”

It was at her writing desk where Steinem crafted the words that wielded her greatest power, and it was at that desk that Annie Leibovitz – who collaborated with the icon on many occasions – chose to photograph her for her series of portraits of influential women. (main image above: Gloria Steinem, journalist, women’s rights activist, New York City, 2015. © Annie Leibovitz)

Leibovitz’s portrait of Steinem is one of that project's most famous images. Rather than a staged studio photo, the photographer insisted on capturing Steinem at her messy writing desk.

Reminiscing about the shoot in the New York Times, Leibovitz recalled pointing at the desk and telling her, “That's your cockpit. I think it's important for a young student or writer to see you at work.”

Leibovitz subsequently accompanied Steinem on a 10-city international tour, where the audience was invited to join her in “talking circles,” led by Steinem.

“Talking in groups like that, it brings me to tears that we can do this sort of work within the show,” Leibovitz said. “And being there with Gloria and talking in groups like that,” she said. “God, is it possible it could be like this? I like this life.”

 
Steinem also contributed an essay published in Annie Leibovitz Women: 2025 Edition, a two volume collection of photographs in which the legendary photographer presents a powerful celebration of women in all of their diversities.

The first volume is a facsimile of Leibovitz’s original 1999 book of images. A second volume comprises photographs taken in the quarter century after that first book.

The broad array of subjects reflects includes: dancers, actors, astronauts, artists, politicians, farmers, writers, CEOs, philanthropists, soldiers, musicians, athletes, socialites, and scientists. As well as over 250 portraits, the book features written contributions from Susan Sontag, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, and Steinem. Part of Steinem’s essay read:

“Looking at Annie’s book, Women, from twenty-five years ago, I see women represented in all of their diversities. Many project strength in those images, but it didn’t mean that came to them naturally. Her subjects didn’t always have easy or comfortable lives, but they did share a common theme of using even their weakest moments to turn their lives around."
 
"Those brave, bold women were still exceptions in our society and Annie’s attention legitimized them. This was especially true of women trying to inhabit industries that had been defined by masculinity: for instance, sports and politics."

"For myself, I spent too many years being the “only” girl reporter. My male colleagues were always supportive, but they also treated me like an exception. The images show women negotiating with a world that didn’t quite value femaleness.”

Steinem played an incalculable part in changing that world. May she rest in peace.