'Thank you for the memories': 'Reader's Digest UK' folds after 86 years
End of an era.
After 86 years of operations, Reader's Digest has shut down its United Kingdom edition as the company "just couldn't withstand the financial pressures of today's unforgiving magazine publishing landscape."
On its official website, published on Friday, May 3, Eva Mackevic, the magazine's editor-in-chief for six years, penned a lengthy heartfelt letter to the readers, saying that the magazine carried "a profound legacy" that holds "special memories" for so many.
"It is with a heavy heart that we share the news of Reader's Digest UK coming to a close. This magazine carries a profound legacy, holding special memories for so many—whether it adorned our parents' coffee tables or served as a gateway to the English language for those abroad. Its closure marks the end of an era that is deeply felt," she began, adding that she wanted to extend her thanks to every subscriber and reader of the magazine.
"To every subscriber, I extend my heartfelt thanks for your unwavering support, loyalty, and encouragement throughout the years. Your letters, poems, essays, and photographs have filled our pages with life and heart. Each story shared has woven a beautiful tapestry of human experiences, connecting us all in profound ways."
Mackevic is also grateful for the opportunity to serve the publication for eight years, highlighting that her past six years as its editor have been truly an "honor and joy."
"I am grateful for the opportunity to have led such a cherished magazine and been a part of your lives through its pages."
She continued, "While this chapter may close, I am comforted by the belief that the spirit of Reader's Digest will endure in our memories and within the rich archives spanning nearly a century.
"As we bid farewell to this beloved publication, I want to express my deepest gratitude for allowing us to be part of your lives and homes," Mackevic concluded.
While they ceased its operation with the ongoing publication of Reader's Digest, the magazine editors said that they are "currently digitizing as many editions of their back catalog as possible" to share it with their subscribers to enjoy and remember the magazine throughout the years.
Reader's Digest is an American general-interest family magazine published ten times a year. It was founded in 1922 in New York by American magazine publisher DeWitt Wallace and his wife Lila Bell Wallace.
In 1938, the first international edition was published in the UK.
The magazine's global editions reached an additional 40 million people in more than 70 countries. It has 49 editions in 21 languages, including Braille, digital, audio, and a large type called Reader's Digest Large Print.