If you’ve spent any time looking at photos from the Met Gala or the front row of London Fashion Week lately, you’ve probably seen a very specific British gentleman on the arm of fashion’s most powerful woman. He’s tall, he’s lean, and he looks like he was born wearing a perfectly tailored navy suit. I'm talking about Bill Nighy. People have been obsessed with the idea of him being the official anna wintour boyfriend for years now, but the reality is a lot more "it’s complicated" than a simple relationship status on Facebook.
Honestly, the "is he or isn't he" drama reached a fever pitch back in May 2023. That was the night Anna and Bill basically broke the internet by walking up the Met steps together. Arm-in-arm. Smiling. For a woman who is famous for her "Nuclear Wintour" persona and those impenetrable Chanel sunglasses, she looked—dare I say—happy?
The Met Gala "Hard Launch" That Wasn't
When they showed up together at the 2023 Met Gala, every tabloid on the planet screamed that it was a "hard launch." You know the vibe. It looked like the ultimate power-couple debut. She was in a patterned Chanel couture gown, and he was the quintessential dapper date.
But then, the vibes got weird.
Less than 24 hours later, Nighy’s representative threw a massive bucket of ice water on the fire. They told People magazine, "Bill and Anna have simply been great friends for two decades. They are not in a relationship."
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Ouch.
The internet didn't really believe it, though. I mean, they’ve been spotted all over the world. There were those photos of them in Rome back in 2021 where Bill was literally carrying a bunch of red roses for her. You don't usually buy a dozen roses for a "buddy" before a romantic al fresco dinner in Italy. Just saying.
Why Everyone Is So Obsessed With Her Love Life
Anna Wintour is 76 now, and after her 2020 split from investor Shelby Bryan—they were together for about 16 years—the world was dying to see who could possibly keep up with her. Bryan was a billionaire, a big-money political donor, and very much a "man of stature."
Bill Nighy is different.
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He’s the guy from Love Actually. He’s an Oscar-nominated actor who radiates a sort of cool, intellectual energy. It makes sense why they’d get along. They’re both British icons of a certain age who have reached the absolute top of their respective games. They’ve been friends since at least 2011, frequently sitting together at fashion shows for Nicole Farhi or Mulberry.
Some people think the "just friends" label is just a way to keep the paparazzi from camping outside their doors. It’s a classic move: if you never admit you’re dating, you never have to announce a breakup.
What’s Really Going On in 2026?
As of early 2026, the status of the anna wintour boyfriend title remains unofficially occupied by Nighy in the eyes of the public, even if his PR team says otherwise. They still show up at the same events. They still share that specific, cozy body language that suggests way more than just "we both like the theater."
If you look at the 2026 Met Gala preparations—where Beyonce and Nicole Kidman are co-chairing—Anna is as busy as ever. But whenever she’s in London or New York for a screening, Bill usually isn't far behind.
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It’s kind of refreshing, actually. In a world where every celebrity couple is trying to sell you a lifestyle brand or a joint Instagram account, these two are just... existing. Maybe they're dating. Maybe they're just two very successful people who find comfort in each other's company after decades of being in the spotlight.
Key Takeaways on the Wintour-Nighy Connection
If you're trying to separate the facts from the "shipping" fantasies, here is what we actually know:
- Timeline: They have been close friends for over 20 years. Rumors of a romance didn't really start until late 2020/early 2021.
- The Denial: Bill Nighy’s team has explicitly denied they are a couple. Anna’s team usually just stays silent, which is very on-brand for her.
- Past Relationships: Anna was married to David Shaffer (with whom she has two kids, Bee and Charlie) before her long-term relationship with Shelby Bryan. Bill was with actress Diana Quick for nearly 30 years before they split in 2008.
- The "Evidence": Romantic dinners in Rome, arm-in-arm appearances at the Met Gala, and private screenings of Bill’s films like Living where Anna is the guest of honor.
Basically, unless they show up with matching rings or a formal announcement, they’re going to keep us guessing. And honestly? That’s probably exactly how Anna Wintour wants it.
If you want to keep track of their next public appearance, keep an eye on the front row of the upcoming Fall/Winter fashion weeks. That’s usually where the most telling "not-a-date" dates happen. You can also follow the official Vogue social channels, though don't expect them to post anything personal—Anna keeps the business of fashion very separate from the business of her heart.
To stay updated on the latest celebrity pairings and the 2026 Met Gala guest list, you should check out the latest red carpet reports from The New York Post or Page Six, as they tend to have the closest sources to the Condé Nast inner circle.