Dr. Charles Shaffer: 5 Surprising Facts About Anna Wintour's Son Who Became A Psychiatrist

Dr. Charles Shaffer has carved out a life that stands in stark contrast to the high-gloss, high-stakes world of his mother, the legendary *Vogue* Editor-in-Chief, Anna Wintour. While his younger sister, Bee Carrozzini, has ties to the entertainment industry, Charles—or Charlie, as he is often known—chose a rigorous, demanding career in medicine, becoming a highly accomplished psychiatrist in New York City. This divergence from the fashion world's spotlight makes his story one of the most compelling narratives among celebrity children, demonstrating a commitment to mental health and clinical practice over the glitz of the front row.

As of late 2025, Dr. Shaffer continues his dedicated work as an academic physician, balancing a challenging professional life with his role as a husband and father. His commitment to psychiatric medicine, particularly at a time when mental health awareness is paramount, solidifies his unique legacy as a member of one of the world's most influential families. His career path is a powerful testament to finding one's own passion, regardless of family expectations or background.

Dr. Charles Shaffer: Complete Biographical Profile

Charles Shaffer, M.D., is the eldest child and only son of Anna Wintour and her ex-husband, David Shaffer. His life is a blend of high-society background and dedicated medical professionalism.

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• Full Name: Charles Wintour Shaffer, M.D. (Often referred to as Charlie Shaffer)
• Date of Birth: July 1985
• Age: 40 (as of 2025)
• Place of Birth: New York, New York, USA
• Parents: Anna Wintour (Mother, *Vogue* Editor-in-Chief) and David Shaffer (Father, Child Psychiatrist)
• Sibling: Katherine "Bee" Shaffer (Carrozzini)
• Spouse: Elizabeth Cordry Shaffer (Lizzy Shaffer)
• Children: Two (A son and a daughter, making Anna Wintour a grandmother)
• Education:
  • Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Studies Program, Columbia University
  • M.D., Columbia University
  • Residency: Payne Whitney Department of Psychiatry, NewYork-Presbyterian-Weill Cornell Medicine
• Current Profession: Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry and Attending Psychiatrist at Weill Cornell Medicine
• Key Roles: Unit Chief for an academic ward at NewYork-Presbyterian Westchester Behavioral Health

The Unexpected Path: From Fashion Royalty to Clinical Psychiatry

The decision by Charles Shaffer to pursue a career in medicine, specifically as a psychiatrist, was a significant departure from the artistic and media-focused world of his mother, Anna Wintour. While his father, David Shaffer, is also a child psychiatrist, Charles’s choice to dedicate his life to clinical practice and academic medicine is a powerful statement about his personal values and drive. He consciously chose a path defined by service, rigor, and a focus on mental health—a world away from the flashbulbs of the Met Gala red carpet.

A Deep Dive into His Academic and Professional Career

Dr. Shaffer’s professional credentials are as impressive as his family’s influence in the fashion industry. His journey through the top tiers of American medical education speaks to his intellectual commitment and work ethic. He completed his post-baccalaureate premedical studies at Columbia University before earning his medical degree from the same prestigious institution. This was followed by a highly competitive residency at the Payne Whitney Department of Psychiatry at NewYork-Presbyterian-Weill Cornell Medicine, where he later served as Chief Resident.

Today, Dr. Shaffer holds the title of Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry and serves as an Attending Psychiatrist at Weill Cornell Medicine. He is also the Unit Chief for an academic ward at NewYork-Presbyterian Westchester Behavioral Health, a role that involves both patient care and the training of future psychiatrists. His work focuses on providing care and advancing the understanding of psychiatric illness, particularly in a high-pressure, academic setting. This focus on healing and education is a world unto itself, separate from the glossy pages of *Vogue*.

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The Shaffer-Cordry Family Life: Behind the Scenes

While Charles Shaffer maintains a low profile compared to his mother and sister, his family life is a cornerstone of his identity. He is married to Elizabeth Cordry Shaffer, who is often affectionately called Lizzy. The couple tied the knot in a beautiful ceremony hosted by Anna Wintour at her stunning Mastic, Long Island, estate. The wedding, while private, was a rare glimpse into the family's personal life, blending the fashion world's elite with the medical community.

The couple are doting parents to two children, a son and a daughter, making Anna Wintour a proud grandmother. This role as a family man and psychiatrist provides a grounding element to his life, contrasting sharply with the often-transient nature of the fashion and media industries. His wife, Elizabeth, is also known to attend high-profile events, such as the Met Gala, alongside Charles and Anna Wintour, bridging the gap between their two very different worlds. This attendance is often one of the few times the public gets a look at the Shaffer family unit.

5 Surprising Facts About Dr. Charles Shaffer

Dr. Shaffer's life is full of fascinating contrasts and achievements that go beyond his famous lineage.

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1. He is a Doctor, Not a Designer: Despite being raised by the most powerful woman in fashion, Charles chose to follow his father's footsteps into the rigorous field of psychiatry, rather than pursuing a career in media, editing, or design.
2. Columbia University Alumnus (Twice): He is highly educated, having completed both his premedical studies and his M.D. at Columbia University, one of the world's most selective institutions.
3. He is a Unit Chief: His role as Unit Chief for an academic ward at NewYork-Presbyterian Westchester Behavioral Health means he is a leader in clinical practice, responsible for patient care and the supervision of other medical professionals.
4. He Married on Long Island: Charles and Elizabeth Cordry were married at his mother's sprawling estate in Mastic, Long Island, a personal and intimate setting for the high-profile nuptials.
5. He Shares a Name with a Wintour Relative: His middle name, Wintour, is his mother's maiden name, a nod to his influential family heritage.

Topical Authority: Charles Shaffer and the Wintour Legacy

The story of Dr. Charles Shaffer is a compelling case study in the dynamics of celebrity families. While many children of famous figures leverage their connections to enter the entertainment or media spheres, Charles’s commitment to medicine demonstrates a fiercely independent spirit and a dedication to a professional life earned through academic merit and clinical expertise. His career choice subtly redefines the Wintour-Shaffer legacy, adding a layer of intellectual and medical gravitas to a family primarily known for its dominance in global fashion.

His presence, often quiet and unassuming, at major fashion events like the Met Gala—standing beside his mother, Anna Wintour, and sister, Bee Carrozzini—serves as a reminder that success comes in many forms. The choice to become a psychiatrist, a profession dedicated to understanding the human mind, is perhaps the ultimate expression of personal independence from the highly public, image-obsessed world he was born into. It is a powerful narrative that resonates with the public's curiosity about the private lives of the world's most influential people.