38 Facts About Ita Buttrose

Ita Buttrose was the youngest person to be appointed editor of The Weekly, which was then, per capita, the largest-selling magazine in the world.

Ita Buttrose was a panellist on the Network Ten morning program Studio 10 from 2013 until 2018.

Ita Buttrose served a five-year tenure and was succeeded by Kim Williams in March 2024.

Ita Buttrose's tenure has not been without criticism, notably for her alleged involvement in the termination of ABC Radio Sydney presenter Antoinette Lattouf in 2023.

Ita Buttrose was raised as a Catholic by her parents.

Ita Buttrose's father, Charles Oswald Ita Buttrose, was a journalist and at one time the editor of The Daily Mirror in Sydney.

Ita Buttrose spent her first five years in New York City when her father was the New York correspondent for The Daily Mirror.

Ita Buttrose's parents divorced during her teens, after 25 years of marriage, and details of her father's private life were printed in the tabloid press, causing considerable anguish to her mother.

Ita Buttrose briefly attended a private school but because her father could not afford the fees she was then moved to a public school.

Ita Buttrose completed her secondary education at Dover Heights Home Science High School, leaving at 15 to begin her career.

Ita Buttrose started her career at Australian Consolidated Press, owned by the Packer family, working as a copy girl at The Australian Women's Weekly, then became a cadet journalist on The Daily Telegraph and The Sunday Telegraph in Sydney.

Ita Buttrose was appointed women's editor of the Telegraph at just 23 years old.

In 1971, Ita Buttrose was chosen as founding editor of a new Australian women's magazine.

Ita Buttrose edited Cleo until 1975, when she was appointed editor of the Packers' flagship magazine, The Australian Women's Weekly.

Ita Buttrose then became editor-in-chief of both publications from 1976 to 1978, before being appointed publisher of Australian Consolidated Press Women's Division from 1978 to 1981.

Ita Buttrose made frequent appearances on radio and TV and in 1980, her media prominence led to her becoming the subject of the song "Ita", recorded by rock band Cold Chisel, which was included on their successful East album.

Ita Buttrose was chair of the National Advisory Committee on AIDS from 1984 until 1988.

Ita Buttrose was a regular on Beauty and the Beast in the 1990s and early 2000s.

Ita Buttrose was a regular commentator on the Nine Network breakfast show Today and was at one point considered to replace Kerri-Anne Kennerley in the network's morning slot.

In June 2013, Ita Buttrose joined Network Ten where she hosted morning program Studio 10 two mornings a week for the station alongside Joe Hildebrand, Sarah Harris, Denise Drysdale and Jessica Rowe.

However, 2016 saw Ita Buttrose reduce her appearances on the program to just twice a week to spend more time with her grandchildren.

Ita Buttrose made a cameo appearance in episode 7547 of The Bold and the Beautiful alongside Brendan Jones and Amanda Keller as a news reporter airing in March 2017.

Since leaving Network Ten, Ita Buttrose has appeared on The Morning Show on the Seven Network and filled in for Sonia Kruger on Today Extra on the Nine Network.

Ita Buttrose decided against seeking a second term, and was succeeded by Kim Williams in March 2024.

Ita Buttrose is a prolific author and has published ten books, including her autobiography, A Passionate Life.

From 1993 to 1994, Ita Buttrose was president of Chief Executive Women.

Ita Buttrose is or has been a patron of Women of Vision, World Vision Australia, the Macular Disease Foundation of Australia, the University of the Third Age, the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation of Australia, Amarant, the National Menopause Foundation, the Sydney Women's Festival, Safety House, and the National Institute of Secretaries and Administrators.

Ita Buttrose is an ambassador of the Australian Women Chamber of Commerce and sits on the AWCCI Advisory Board.

Ita Buttrose was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 1979, and appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in 1988.

Ita Buttrose was inducted to the Victorian Honour Roll of Women in 2001, and advanced to Companion of the Order of Australia in 2019.

In 1993 Ita Buttrose was named Juvenile Diabetes Foundation's 'Australian of the Year'.

In January 2013, Ita Buttrose was named the 2013 Australian of the Year.

Ita Buttrose was awarded an honorary Doctor of Letters degree by Macquarie University in 2014 in recognition of her contribution to the arts.

Ita Buttrose was awarded an honorary Doctor of the university degree by the University of New South Wales in 2018 in recognition of her eminent service to health, and for being an inspirational role model for aspiring women in business and for those wanting to make a difference in society.

At 21 years of age, Ita Buttrose married architect Alasdair "Mac" Macdonald and had two children.

Ita Buttrose cared for her father after he was diagnosed with vascular dementia.

Ita Buttrose herself has repeatedly declined to comment on the matter.

In 2023, Ita Buttrose was implicated in a controversy concerning the dismissal of ABC Radio Sydney presenter Antoinette Lattouf.