Ita Buttrose age: The story behind her long career

The age of Ita Buttrose represents far more than the number of birthdays she has celebrated. It reflects the historical importance of her career and its lasting relevance across generations. Born on 17 January 1942, she will turn 84 in 2026, marking a remarkable career that has spanned more than six decades in Australian media.

Understanding her age also lends itself to the context of understanding the depth, strength, and longevity of her impact on journalism and broadcasting.

Early life and formative years

Ita Buttrose was born in Sydney, NSW, and from a young age, she showed an interest in writing, reading, and current events. After completing her formal education, she entered a profession with limited employment opportunities for females.

The fact that she began her career at such an early age has been an important factor in her ongoing story and is a significant aspect of discussions relating to her age and how it relates to her long careers in the media.

First steps into journalism

Buttrose’s career started when she was accepted as a cadet journalist at Australia’s Weekly Newspaper. The cadet role provided a hands-on learning experience, as well as providing exposure to national editorial decision-making processes.

Buttrose’s ability to relate to readers and her understanding of social trends made her a stand-out candidate among all of her colleagues at that time.

Australia’s youngest magazine editor

At age 29 in 1971, Ita Buttrose became the youngest editor of The Australian Women’s Weekly.

In addition to building the magazine’s reputation through serious journalism about health and society and long-form interviews, Buttrose added lifestyle journalism to the magazine’s repertoire.

The result was a transformation of women’s magazines in Australia, and this also contributed to her significant rise to public visibility.

Expanding into publishing and broadcasting

Buttrose transitioned from magazine editing to other publishing roles at several major media organisations.

She became a well-known figure on television and radio, where her credibility and ability to communicate were widely recognised.

The adaptability that Buttrose demonstrated while transitioning between media platforms is one reason why she continues to maintain a strong influence in spite of changes to media technology.

Leadership and influence at 84

When Buttrose was appointed to be Chair of the ABC, there was significant debate in the media about her age (now in her 70s) and what that would bring to Australia’s national broadcaster.

Buttrose’s extensive experience (editorially) and extensive knowledge of media organisations provided invaluable assistance to the ABC during times of intense national scrutiny about issues relating to media independence, governance of the media, and trust in the media.

Advocacy and social impact

In addition to being a leader in media, Ita Buttrose has been a strong advocate for:

• Media ethics and journalistic standards
• Women in leadership
• Public health
• Education and literacy

Her advocacy has added to the strength of her reputation as a public figure rather than a “celebrity”.

The spotlight on Ita Buttrose’s age

The ongoing conversation regarding the age of Ita Buttrose speaks to a larger cultural dialogue about age, leadership, and relevance. Unlike many public figures whose influence may wane over time, Ita’s influence remains intact.

To reach a long distance she sees

• A long career path accumulation in her industry.
• Experience working with large groups of people in leadership roles.
• Ability to maintain relevance in a fast-paced, rapidly changing media space.

Recognition and achievements

Ita Buttrose has collected many awards and accolades recognising it and our contribution to the Australian community throughout her career. These awards cover the entire spectrum of journalism, publishing, and community service and highlight her place among the most respected media professionals in Australia.

Legacy in Australian Media

The legacy of Ita Buttrose has been defined by her impact not by her age. She redefined women’s media, fostered conversation about health and social issues, and set an unprecedented standard of leadership for journalists in Australia.

Ita Buttrose provides a model for longevity of credibility, adaptability, and integrity within an individual.

Conclusion 

While “Ita Buttrose Age” is a popular search phrase, it only tells part of the story; she was born in 1942, so Ms Buttrose is currently 84 years young and continues to be a powerful voice into her eighth decade, exhibiting an extraordinary blend of experience and current-day relevance.

Her career has not only been extensive but she has also had an exceptional historical impact on the Australian media and her mark on Australian media will continue long after any discussion regarding how old she is.