Storied Vanity Fair editor Graydon Carter is stepping down after 25 years

Vanity Fair editor Graydon Carter announced he is leaving the esteemed magazine after a 25-year run at its helm. "I want to leave while the magazine is on top," Carter, 68, told The New York Times on Thursday.

Carter added that he would be spending the next six months on "garden leave," but that his long-term plans are still under wraps.

Under Carter, Vanity Fair scooped the identity of Watergate's Deep Throat and made space for the work of Annie Leibovitz, Fran Lebowitz, James Wolcott, and Dominick Dunne. Prior to his time at Vanity Fair, Carter famously antagonized Donald Trump, dubbing him a "short-fingered vulgarian" while at Spy.

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It isn't clear who will succeed Carter, although he said he has suggestions. "I care about this magazine," Carter said. "I don't want it to go anywhere other than up." Read more about his departure at The New York Times.