Asma al-Assad no longer en vogue, Anna Wintour says
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's wife, Asma, has not been heard from since the violence began.
June 12th, 2012
11:45 AM ET

Asma al-Assad no longer en vogue, Anna Wintour says

More than a year after Vogue magazine published a gushing profile about the first lady of Syria, the magazine's editor in chief has released a statement condemning the regime of Bashar al-Assad.

A statement from Anna Wintour appeared Monday on Vogue.com.

"In 2010, we set up an interview with the Syrian leader's wife, Asma al-Assad, a Western-educated former banker and a woman with a reputation as a force for reform in the Middle East. Like many at that time, we were hopeful that the Assad regime would be open to a more progressive society. Subsequent to our interview, as the terrible events of the past year and a half unfolded in Syria, it became clear that its priorities and values were completely at odds with those of Vogue. The escalating atrocities in Syria are unconscionable, and we deplore the actions of the Assad regime in the strongest possible terms."

The profile of Asma al-Assad appeared in the print March 2011 version. Vogue apparently removed the story from its website later.

The piece called Asma al-Assad a "rose in the desert" and described her as "the freshest and most magnetic of first ladies." The British-born first lady was portrayed in the story as a progressive and modern woman who fought for the rights of children, the poor and those who are oppressed. Read CNN's story on Asma al-Assad and the Syrian uprising here.

Syria's first lady faces sanctions

In March, the EU imposed new sanctions on Asma al-Assad.

Asma al-Assad to end Syria conflict?

In April, wives of top U.N. diplomats urged Asma al-Assad to speak out.

The Vogue story came out as the al-Assad regime was cracking down violently on an uprising in the country. The United Nations estimates that more than 10,000 people, mostly civilians, have died since the crisis erupted in March 2011. Opposition groups give estimates ranging from at least 12,000 to more than 14,000. Human Rights Watch reports that at least 1,176 children have been killed since February 2011.

In April, wives of top U.N. diplomats banded together to publicly call for Asma al-Assad to do something to stop the bloodshed in Syria.

The first lady has not been heard from since the violence began.

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Filed under: Syria
soundoff (44 Responses)
  1. Jennifer

    Well isn't this just lame.... I'm sure the writers of vogue really give a damn...

    June 13, 2012 at 12:37 am | Report abuse |
    • Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, B.A., J.D., S.P.J.

      Asma is just as glamorous as Frau Goering or Eva Braun!

      June 13, 2012 at 2:13 pm | Report abuse |
  2. dazzle ©

    Stop it you stupid troll.

    June 13, 2012 at 12:55 am | Report abuse |
  3. dazzle ©

    Okay troll, you had your fun with the 3 of us now just behave yourself.

    June 13, 2012 at 1:04 am | Report abuse |
  4. Kirsten

    This unconscionable excuse for a woman promotes fur. I have no respect for her, or her opinions. Ghastly woman.

    June 13, 2012 at 2:19 am | Report abuse |
  5. JATT_

    Just like with Muammar Gaddafi the legend this snakes will shake your hand with one hand and plan your demise with the other. Don't trust these snakes. The Northern Koreans know and you won't see NATO mess with them.

    June 13, 2012 at 3:44 am | Report abuse |
  6. saywhat

    @ kuduson
    you are not far off the mark.
    The meddling powers have been arming the mercenaries called rebels just as Russia has been arming the regime. Propaganda, as always holds sway.
    Sadly without understanding the dynamics we also as always go along with what we are fed.

    June 13, 2012 at 10:05 am | Report abuse |
  7. saywhat

    Let the First Ladies everywhere be held accountable for what the world has turned into during the past decade.

    June 13, 2012 at 1:12 pm | Report abuse |
  8. Pete

    Boy,if Vogue could only foresee the future,they'd be running away from their desert flower wouldn't they,but that's business,didn't magazines interview Hitler before he started his ethnic cleansing and the Holocaust in WWII,that would leave an ouch,wouldn't it,especially thinking he was personable leader,much like Assad...

    June 13, 2012 at 3:18 pm | Report abuse |
  9. liberal disease

    Anna Wintour thinks Obama is cool so what the hell does she no?

    June 13, 2012 at 6:38 pm | Report abuse |
  10. James

    Sounds like a modern Eva Peron!

    June 18, 2012 at 2:11 am | Report abuse |
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