Condé Nast chairman emeritus Si Newhouse dies at 89

Samuel I. Newhouse, Jr., the former chairman of Condé Nast credited with the media group’s global expansion, has died at the age of 89.

In his four decades at the helm of the company, Mr. Newhouse oversaw a number of moves for Condé Nast, including two relocations of its New York headquarters and the addition of new titles and markets. Mr. Newhouse, better known by his nickname Si, passed away at his Manhattan home on Oct. 1.

Magazine magnate
Mr. Newhouse’s father bought Condé Nast in 1959, and he joined the company in 1961. He became chairman in 1975.

During his tenure in the position, he oversaw efforts such as the relaunch of Vanity Fair and Vogue’s moves into 27 international markets, working alongside his cousin Jonathan Newhouse, who is currently the company’s chairman. The publisher was also instrumental in the acquisition of titles including Architectural Digest, The New Yorker and Wired.

Cover of Vogue magazine's September 2017 issue. Image credit: Vogue

Per The New York Times, Mr. Newhouse brought glamour to the titles in the company's stable by focusing on the top, giving the editors he hired the means to live similar lives to the personalities they were covering.

“Si Newhouse was the most extraordinary leader,” said Anna Wintour, artistic director of Condé Nast and editor in chief of Vogue, in a statement. “Wherever he led, we followed, unquestioningly, simply because he put the most incredible faith in us.

“Si never looked at data, or statistics, but went with his instincts, and expected us to do the same. He was quick to encourage us to take risks, and effusive in his praise when they paid off,” she said. “There was nothing showy about the way Si led though.

“This humble, thoughtful, idiosyncratic man, possibly the least judgmental person I have ever known, preferred family, friends, art, movies and his beloved pugs over the flashiness of the New York media world, and his personality shaped the entire company; it might have been a huge global entity, yet one felt a deep, personal connection to it, all because of him.”

Mr. Newhouse managed two relocations, as Condé Nast moved to Times Square in 1999 and then moved to its current offices in the recently built 1 World Trade building.

Condé Nast's current headquarters at 1 World Trade. Image credit: Condé Nast

In addition to his time as chairman of Condé Nast, Mr. Newhouse was simultaneously the chairman of Advance Publications.

“Today, we lost a giant,” said Bob Sauerberg, president and CEO of Condé Nast, in a statement. “Si embodied creativity, curiosity and a commitment to excellence unlike any other, and he will forever be remembered as the man who built the most influential media empire in the world. We are honored to work in this incredible business he created, and will strive to emulate his courage and wisdom.”

Mr. Newhouse is succeeded by his wife Victoria, his children Samuel and Pamela and his brother, Donald E. Newhouse, as well as five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

In a tribute to the executive, Condé Nast notes that donations can be made in Mr. Newhouse’s honor to the Association for Frontotemperal Degeneration.