ITA BUTTROSE
Unapologetically Ita
Publishing 28 October 2025
Simon & Schuster Australia is delighted to announce that we will be publishing Unapologetically Ita by Australian icon Ita Buttrose on 28 October 2025.
Ita has been a defining force in shaping Australia’s cultural and social landscape for over six decades. Peerless in her pursuit of excellence and work ethic, she is a trailblazer for working women. She was recruited by Sir Frank Packer to create a new magazine, Cleo in 1971, and in 1975 Ita was appointed the youngest ever editor of The Australian Women’s Weekly. She was the first female editor of The Daily Telegraph and The Sunday Telegraph after being hired by Rupert Murdoch – quite simply, Ita is royalty in the world of publishing.
In her new book, Unapologetically Ita reflects on her time as the Chair of the ABC, the changes in the workplace during her lifetime, and her years of advocacy work for causes she strongly believes in such as HIV/AIDS, dementia, macular disease and cancer. In her frank and fearless style, with trademark wit and positivity, Ita tackles diverse subjects such as leadership, menopause, sex and the older person, planning for life changes and the importance of looking after your brain.
Ita is as passionate as ever about the future of Australia. In her book she discusses the strengths and challenges of society today with a look at topics such as housing affordability, the Voice referendum, political correctness, child poverty and climate change. Ita is someone with a unique perspective; a rare depth of knowledge of Australian society and culture. She’s never been afraid to have an opinion and never been more worth listening to.
‘This book has allowed me to revisit important events in my life and career and to set the record straight in a couple of incidences, an extremely satisfying experience. Over the years I have climbed a few mountains and right now I’m in the middle of climbing a challenging personal mountain. It isn’t easy but I won’t ever give up.’ Ita Buttrose
‘Since I was growing up and reading The Australian Women’s Weekly, Ita has provided me with great inspiration, and I never could have imagined that I would have become her publisher for her books. We have done many books together and it is a great honour. Ita constantly surprises me with her talent, her insights, her wit and her compassion for other people.’
Julie Gibbs, Publisher.
About the Author
Ita Buttrose started her media career as a copygirl on The Australian Women’s Weekly. Eighteen years later she was appointed the magazine’s editor, its youngest ever, a distinction she still holds. She has enjoyed an extensive career in print, radio and television and, as well as The Weekly, has edited leading magazines and newspapers including Sydney’s Daily Telegraph and Sunday Telegraph. Ita was the founding editor of Cleo and ITA magazines. In 2019 she was appointed Chair of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), completing her five-year term in March 2024. She is Patron of Dementia Australia, Patron of Macular Disease Foundation, Patron of Bobby Goldsmith Foundation and Qtopia, the queer museum. Ita was the 2013 Australian of the Year. She currently chairs the Advisory Committee of the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA) at UNSW.
