Anyone searching how old was Meryl Streep in Devil Wears Prada may come across two answers: 56 and 57. The difference is easy to explain. Meryl Streep was 56 years old while filming The Devil Wears Prada and was 57 when the movie opened in U.S. theaters in 2006.
Streep, born on June 22, 1949, played Miranda Priestly, the famously demanding editor-in-chief of the fictional Runway magazine. Her cool delivery, commanding presence and distinctive silver-haired appearance helped make Miranda one of the most memorable characters in modern workplace comedy-drama.
Two decades after the movie’s original release, viewers continue to revisit Streep’s performance and search for details about how old she was when she brought Miranda Priestly to life.
Key Points Summary
╔════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ – Meryl Streep was born on June 22, 1949. ║
║ – She was 56 while filming The Devil Wears Prada. ║
║ – She turned 57 shortly before the film's U.S. release. ║
║ – The movie opened in U.S. theaters on June 30, 2006. ║
║ – Streep portrayed Runway editor Miranda Priestly. ║
║ – Meryl Streep is 77 years old as of July 30, 2026. ║
╚════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝So, How Old Was Meryl Streep in Devil Wears Prada?
Meryl Streep was 56 years old when she filmed her scenes as Miranda Priestly.
She was born on June 22, 1949, and principal photography began in 2005, after she had celebrated her 56th birthday.
The movie itself did not reach U.S. theaters until the following year. Streep celebrated another birthday shortly before its theatrical debut, which explains why some people associate age 57 with the film.
The distinction is simple:
Meryl Streep’s age during filming: 56
Meryl Streep’s age when the movie opened in U.S. theaters: 57
Therefore, if someone asks specifically how old Streep was when she was actually playing Miranda Priestly during production, 56 is the answer.
When Was Meryl Streep Born?
Meryl Streep was born Mary Louise Streep on June 22, 1949.
She turned 56 on June 22, 2005, several months before the main production period for The Devil Wears Prada.
Streep then celebrated her 57th birthday on June 22, 2006. Eight days later, on June 30, the movie opened in U.S. theaters.
This narrow gap between her birthday and the movie’s release is the main reason both ages are frequently associated with her appearance in the film.
Meryl Streep’s Age Timeline
| Event | Date/Period | Meryl Streep’s Age |
|---|---|---|
| Meryl Streep was born | June 22, 1949 | — |
| Main filming period | 2005 | 56 |
| Streep turned 57 | June 22, 2006 | 57 |
| U.S. theatrical opening | June 30, 2006 | 57 |
| Streep turned 77 | June 22, 2026 | 77 |
The timeline provides the clearest answer for anyone trying to determine Streep’s age in relation to the movie.
How Old Was Meryl Streep When The Devil Wears Prada Came Out?
Meryl Streep was 57 years old when The Devil Wears Prada opened in U.S. theaters on June 30, 2006.
She had turned 57 only eight days earlier.
So while audiences first encountered Miranda Priestly on the big screen when Streep was 57, the performance itself had largely been filmed when she was 56.
That is an important difference when answering the keyword question accurately.
Who Is Miranda Priestly?
Miranda Priestly is the powerful editor-in-chief of Runway, the fictional fashion magazine at the center of The Devil Wears Prada.
She is introduced as one of the most influential people in fashion publishing. Her opinions matter to designers, employees and others throughout the industry.
Miranda’s reputation is so intimidating that the atmosphere in the office changes the moment employees learn she is arriving.
Yet Streep did not build the character around shouting or exaggerated displays of anger.
Instead, Miranda often speaks quietly and maintains an almost unnerving level of composure. A short sentence, facial expression or pause can communicate her dissatisfaction.
That understated style became a defining feature of Streep’s performance.
Was Miranda Priestly Supposed to Be 56?
Meryl Streep’s real age during filming should not automatically be treated as Miranda Priestly’s fictional age.
The movie does not place major emphasis on Miranda’s exact age.
What matters to the story is that she is an established executive with enormous experience and influence. She has already spent years reaching the highest levels of the fashion publishing industry before Andy Sachs begins working for her.
For that reason, saying Miranda was definitely 56 simply because Streep was 56 would go beyond what the film establishes.
What is known is that Streep herself was 56 while portraying the character during production.
Meryl Streep Was Already an Established Star
Streep was far from a newcomer when she accepted the role of Miranda Priestly.
By the mid-2000s, she had already spent decades appearing in acclaimed films and had become one of the industry’s most respected performers.
Her pre-Devil Wears Prada credits included major titles such as Kramer vs. Kramer, Sophie’s Choice, Silkwood, Out of Africa and The Bridges of Madison County.
That experience was particularly useful for Miranda.
The character needed to appear completely comfortable with power. Rather than trying to prove herself to those around her, Miranda behaves like someone who expects her authority to be understood.
Streep’s restrained approach helped communicate exactly that.
How Old Was Anne Hathaway in The Devil Wears Prada?
Anne Hathaway was much younger than Meryl Streep during production.
Hathaway was born on November 12, 1982. She was 22 years old when principal filming began in 2005, turning 23 later that year.
She played Andrea “Andy” Sachs, an aspiring journalist who accepts a job as one of Miranda Priestly’s assistants.
The age difference between Hathaway and Streep was approximately 33 years.
That difference worked naturally within the story because Andy and Miranda are at opposite stages of their professional lives.
Andy is trying to begin her career, while Miranda has already spent years establishing herself at the top of her industry.
How Old Was Emily Blunt During Filming?
Emily Blunt was also 22 years old during the main 2005 production period.
Born on February 23, 1983, Blunt played Emily Charlton, Miranda’s experienced senior assistant.
Emily understands the fashion world in ways that Andy initially does not. She knows what Miranda expects and recognizes how valuable the position can be for someone trying to advance within the industry.
Blunt’s performance became one of the film’s highlights and helped turn Emily into a fan-favorite character.
What Is The Devil Wears Prada About?
The Devil Wears Prada follows Andy Sachs as she enters a world that initially seems completely incompatible with her personality and career ambitions.
Andy wants to become a journalist. Instead, she lands a job working for Miranda Priestly at one of the fashion industry’s most influential magazines.
She initially treats fashion as something superficial and struggles to understand why her colleagues take Miranda’s demands so seriously.
As Andy becomes better at her job, however, her appearance, priorities and relationships begin to change.
Her professional progress comes with personal consequences, forcing her to consider how much she is willing to sacrifice for career success.
Miranda serves as both Andy’s intimidating boss and an example of what extreme professional ambition can require.
Why Miranda Priestly Became One of Meryl Streep’s Most Famous Roles
Streep had already played numerous acclaimed characters before The Devil Wears Prada, but Miranda became particularly influential in popular culture.
One reason was the performance’s restraint.
Miranda rarely needs to raise her voice to establish control. Everyone around her already understands her authority.
Her carefully chosen words and calm delivery often create more tension than shouting would.
Her visual appearance also became instantly recognizable. The silver hair, sophisticated clothing and controlled expressions gave Miranda a distinctive identity.
The result was a character who remained closely associated with Streep long after the movie left theaters.
The Devil Wears Prada Was a Major Box-Office Success
The film became a significant commercial hit.
The Devil Wears Prada earned more than $326 million worldwide, demonstrating that its appeal extended well beyond audiences specifically interested in fashion.
The film’s success was driven by several factors, including its cast, workplace themes, humor and the contrast between Andy’s ordinary ambitions and the glamorous but demanding world surrounding Miranda.
Its popularity continued through home entertainment, television and streaming.
Years after its theatrical release, younger audiences continued discovering the movie.
Meryl Streep Earned an Oscar Nomination for Miranda Priestly
Streep’s portrayal of Miranda Priestly earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress.
She did not win the Oscar for this performance, but the nomination reflected the strong critical response to her work.
The role also demonstrated how a commercially successful mainstream movie could produce a performance that attracted major awards attention.
For many viewers, Miranda remains among Streep’s most immediately recognizable characters regardless of the final awards outcome.
How Old Is Meryl Streep in 2026?
Meryl Streep is 77 years old as of July 30, 2026.
She celebrated her 77th birthday on June 22, 2026.
That creates a striking comparison with the original movie:
Streep was 56 while filming Miranda Priestly’s scenes in 2005. She is now 77, meaning more than two decades have passed since that production period.
The passage of time has done little to diminish the film’s popularity.
How Old Were the Main Devil Wears Prada Stars During Filming?
Here is a quick comparison based on the main 2005 filming period:
| Actor | Character | Approximate Age During Main Filming |
| Meryl Streep | Miranda Priestly | 56 |
| Anne Hathaway | Andy Sachs | 22 |
| Emily Blunt | Emily Charlton | 22 |
| Stanley Tucci | Nigel | 44 |
These age differences also complemented the workplace hierarchy shown in the film.
Miranda is the established leader, while Andy and Emily are younger employees trying to build their careers.
Why The Devil Wears Prada Still Connects With Audiences
Fashion is a major part of the movie’s identity, but its lasting appeal is also tied to its portrayal of professional ambition.
Andy begins the story believing her position at Runway is simply a temporary step toward the career she actually wants.
Over time, she discovers that professional success can be exciting and rewarding while simultaneously demanding significant sacrifices.
Miranda represents another side of that equation.
She has achieved extraordinary professional influence, but the movie also suggests that maintaining her position carries personal costs.
These themes remain relevant to audiences regardless of whether they work in fashion, publishing or an entirely different industry.
Why Meryl Streep’s Age in Devil Wears Prada Still Gets Attention
Twenty years is a long time in Hollywood, yet The Devil Wears Prada continues to feel familiar to audiences.
That longevity naturally leads viewers to search for information about how old its stars were during production.
Streep’s age attracts particular attention because Miranda appears so established and timeless within the film.
Learning that Streep was 56 during production also highlights something significant about the role: one of the most famous female characters of the 2000s was portrayed by an actress in her mid-50s.
Rather than minimizing Miranda’s experience, the movie made her professional seniority fundamental to her power.
56 During Filming or 57 at Release: Which Answer Is Correct?
Both numbers are accurate when used in the correct context.
If someone asks:
“How old was Meryl Streep while filming The Devil Wears Prada?”
The answer is 56.
If someone asks:
“How old was Meryl Streep when The Devil Wears Prada came out?”
The answer is 57.
For the keyword how old was Meryl Streep in Devil Wears Prada, 56 is generally the more useful answer because it describes her age while actually performing the role.
FAQs
Q: How old was Meryl Streep in Devil Wears Prada?
A: Meryl Streep was 56 years old during the main filming of The Devil Wears Prada.
Q: Why do some people say Meryl Streep was 57 in The Devil Wears Prada?
A: Streep was 56 during production but turned 57 shortly before the movie’s U.S. theatrical release in June 2006.
Q: When is Meryl Streep’s birthday?
A: Meryl Streep was born on June 22, 1949.
Q: How old was Meryl Streep when The Devil Wears Prada was released?
A: She was 57 when the film opened in U.S. theaters on June 30, 2006.
Q: How old is Meryl Streep in 2026?
A: Meryl Streep is 77 years old as of July 30, 2026.
Q: Who did Meryl Streep play in The Devil Wears Prada?
A: She portrayed Miranda Priestly, the powerful editor-in-chief of the fictional Runway magazine.
Q: How old was Anne Hathaway in The Devil Wears Prada?
A: Hathaway was 22 when principal filming began in 2005 and turned 23 later that year.
Q: How old was Emily Blunt during The Devil Wears Prada filming?
A: Emily Blunt was 22 during the main 2005 production period.
Q: Did Meryl Streep receive an Oscar nomination for The Devil Wears Prada?
A: Yes. She was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress for playing Miranda Priestly.
Q: When did The Devil Wears Prada come out?
A: The movie opened in U.S. theaters on June 30, 2006.
Q: Was Miranda Priestly supposed to be the same age as Meryl Streep?
A: The movie does not clearly establish Miranda’s exact numerical age, so Streep’s real age should not automatically be treated as Miranda’s fictional age.
Q: How much money did The Devil Wears Prada make?
A: The movie earned more than $326 million at the worldwide box office.
Final Answer
So, how old was Meryl Streep in Devil Wears Prada? Meryl Streep was 56 years old while filming the movie.
She was born on June 22, 1949, and was 56 during the main 2005 production period. By the time The Devil Wears Prada opened in U.S. theaters on June 30, 2006, she had recently celebrated her 57th birthday.
As of July 30, 2026, Streep is 77 years old, while her portrayal of Miranda Priestly continues to stand as one of the defining performances associated with The Devil Wears Prada.
What do you remember most about Meryl Streep’s performance as Miranda Priestly? Share your thoughts and stay updated for more facts and news about The Devil Wears Prada and its stars.