The first issue of People magazine in 1974 featured Mia Farrow on the cover, promoting her role in the film The Great Gatsby.

Quick Scoop

  • The debut issue of People was dated March 11, 1974 and sold for 35 cents on newsstands.
  • Actress Mia Farrow appeared on that historic first cover, tied to her then-current movie The Great Gatsby.
  • Early coverage in the issue included stories on figures like Gloria Vanderbilt and Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, signaling the magazine’s mix of celebrity and serious profiles.

In other words, from day one in 1974, People set the template for modern celebrity-focused magazines—with Mia Farrow’s cover as its opening statement.

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