Uma Thurman: from her first Vogue cover at 15 to her comeback 40 years later (16 photos)

Uma Thurman landed on the cover of British Vogue at 15. Not in a movie, not on the red carpet—first there was the magazine, the cool light of a studio, and Patrick Demarchelier's lens. Then came fame. Then a long silence. Then more covers. Over her forty years in the industry, she's appeared on the pages of Vogue more than fifteen times—in different countries, in different guises, at different times in her life. We show you everything: from her first shot in 1985 to her return in 2022.





First Covers: A Model Before Becoming an Actress

Uma Karina Thurman was born on April 29, 1970, in Boston. Her father was Robert Thurman, a Buddhist scholar, and her mother was Swedish model Nena von Schlebrügge. Beauty ran in the family.

At 14, Uma was noticed by agents. At 15, she dropped out of school and moved to New York City to wash dishes in a restaurant and attend castings. She signed a contract with Elite Model Management and quickly found herself on the cover.



First cover – Vogue UK, December 1985, photographed by Patrick Demarchelier.

In December 1985, British Vogue came out with Uma on the cover, photographed by Patrick Demarchelier. She was 15. Long legs, an intense gaze, no pretense.





Six months later, Demarchelier again, and again British Vogue, May 1986.

In May 1986, the same publication's second cover, again featuring Demarchelier. These two shots became her signature look in the fashion world. A year remained until her first film.

The 90s: Tarantino and Three Covers in One Year

In 1990, British Vogue's third cover was released, shot by Michelle Huddy. By then, Thurman had already appeared in Les Liaisons Dangereuses (1988) and Henry & June (1990). But the magazine world didn't let her go, even after film captured all the attention.



Vogue UK, November 1990 - Photographed by Michelle Huddy.

In 1994, Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Fiction was released. Her role as Mia Wallace, a gangster's wife in a white shirt and black bob, made Thurman an icon. An Oscar nomination, a Golden Globe nomination, and worldwide fame followed.

Also in 1994, there were three Vogue covers. In January, there was the British edition, photographed by Albert Watson. In September, there was Brazilian Vogue. In November, there was Paris Vogue, photographed by Marc Ispar.



Vogue UK, January 1994, photographed by Albert Watson.

Three covers in one year—that was the peak.



Vogue Brasil, September 1994.



Vogue Paris, November 1994 — Photographed by Marc Ispar.

1997: A Star at the Top

By 1997, Uma Thurman was one of Hollywood's leading actresses. She starred in Batman & Robin and Gattaca. American Vogue responded appropriately.

In June 1997, American Vogue came out with her on the cover, shot by Steven Meisel, one of the world's most influential fashion photographers. Inside was a long feature entitled "Beautiful Girl," shot by Peter Lindbergh. Thurman spoke about beauty and her personal life.



Vogue US, June 1997, photographed by Steven Meisel.

Also in 1997, Taiwanese Vogue (July) and Korean Vogue (August) appeared. Her face was known everywhere.



Vogue Taiwan, July 1997.



Vogue Korea, August 1997.

2003: Kill Bill and the Lens of Annie Leibovitz

November 2003 was a special month. Tarantino's "Kill Bill: Vol. 1" was released, featuring Thurman as the Bride, wielding a katana and wearing a yellow jumpsuit. The film became an instant cult classic.

That same month, American Vogue came out with her portrait on the cover. Shot by Annie Leibovitz, one of the leading photographers of her generation. Inside, there's a spread about transformation: grueling martial arts training, personal changes, a new stage in life.



Vogue US, November 2003 – photographer Annie Leibovitz.

Leibovitz and Tarantino in the same month – that rarely happens.



Vogue Korea, December 2003.

In December of that year, Korean Vogue appeared. The global market took notice again.

2006 and 2008: Maturity on Camera

In June 2006, American Vogue again featured Uma on the cover, photographed by Mario Testino, a regular contributor to the publication.



Vogue US, June 2006 — photographer Mario Testino.

In July of the same year — Vogue Korea. Two months in a row, two countries.



Vogue Korea, July 2006.

In July 2008, British Vogue published a themed issue, "Ageless Style." Photographed by Regan Cameron. Thurman is among the featured models in the issue about beauty without an expiration date. She was 38 years old.



Vogue UK, July 2008 - Photographed by Regan Cameron.

Return in 2022: 14 Years Later

After 2008, there were no Vogue covers for 14 years.

In March 2022, Spanish Vogue was released. Uma Thurman is on the cover. Shot by Tess Ayano. Thurman in the photo looks as if she never left: the calm of someone who has nothing to prove.



Vogue España, March 2022 — photographer Tess Ayano.

53 years old at the time. 40 years in the camera. Over 15 Vogue covers in 6 countries — Britain, the USA, France, Brazil, Korea, and Spain.

Some faces simply never age. Which of her covers do you think is the most powerful?