From the conclusion of the 19th century to the commencement of the 21st century, Life magazine chronicled the remarkable evolution of photography, a true marvel of the previous centuries. Within its pages, compelling narratives were complemented by stunning visuals captured by renowned photographers like [ppp1]. Nevertheless, the advent of the internet, social media, and the inundation of videos and images led to the gradual decline of Life, culminating in its demise 15 years ago. However, the publication has now experienced a resurgence, as [ppp2] and her spouse, affluent investor Joshua Kushner, have disclosed their acquisition of the magazine’s rights with intentions to relaunch it.
At 31 years old, Kloss stands as one of the prominent supermodels of the past decade, in addition to being a coder (she even established a coding school for young girls) and an astute businesswoman. In a surprise intimate Jewish ceremony before 80 guests in October 2018, she tied the knot with 38-year-old Joshua Kushner, thereby establishing a familial tie to the Trump clan: Joshua is the sibling of Jared Kushner, who is married to [ppp3], the daughter of the former president. Notably, both Jared and [ppp3] served as advisors during Trump’s presidential tenure.
Conversely, the Kushner-Kloss duo has consistently aligned themselves with progressive ideologies. Kloss has openly endorsed figures like Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and Joe Biden, expressing the challenges of being tangentially associated with the Trump family. Since their nuptials half a decade ago, the couple has welcomed two children, Levi and Elijah, while spearheading various ventures through entities like Bedford Media, where Kloss holds the position of CEO. Their latest endeavor involves the revival of Life magazine, under the editorial leadership of Kushner.
In preparation for Life’s relaunch—following its disappearance from newsstands in 2000 and near extinction in 2008—Bedford Media has partnered with Dotdash Meredith, a major U.S. media conglomerate owning nearly 50 publications, including People, InStyle, Food&Wine, Travel + Leisure, and Entertainment Weekly. Dotdash Meredith also possesses Time magazine, the former proprietor of Life.
Although a specific relaunch date remains unspecified, the Kushner-Kloss enterprise will oversee all facets of the publication, encompassing editorial direction, revenue generation, and media campaigns, as per a press release by Bedford featured in Variety on March 28. Meanwhile, Dotdash Meredith will manage the magazine’s extensive archives dating back to the 1930s and will be responsible for distributing special editions to newsstands.
“We envision Life as a source of inspiration and unity amidst the tumultuous media landscape,” remarked Kloss in the official statement. “While Bedford represents a nascent media entity, we draw profound inspiration from Life’s iconic heritage and its capacity to unite diverse audiences through universal human narratives.”
Kushner echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that “Life’s enduring legacy lies in its skillful fusion of culture, current affairs, and everyday experiences—spotlighting our triumphs, adversities, and distinctive perspectives.”
The venture into publishing is not unfamiliar territory for Kushner and Kloss. In August 2020, Kloss participated in a consortium of investors that acquired W Magazine, a fashion publication previously under Condé Nast (the publisher of Vogue, Vanity Fair, and GQ.) Subsequently, in November 2023, through Bedford Media, Kloss assumed control of the British magazine i-D, a revered British periodical focusing on fashion and trends formerly owned by Vice Media Group. Initially, Kloss announced the continuation of Alastair McKimm as the director, but he revealed via Instagram in mid-February his departure from the publication. Despite its modest staff of around a dozen, reports suggest recent layoffs within the magazine’s ranks.