18 vintage photos of the Met Gala that show it's been a glamourous night for decades

Anneta Konstantinides,Samantha GrindellMay 7, 2024, 02:34 IST

Cher attends the 1974 Met Gala.Ron Galella / Contributor / Getty Images<ul class="summary-list"><li>The 2024 Met Gala will take place Monday night.</li><li>The annual fundraiser has been a themed event since 1973. </li></ul>The <a target="_blank" rel href="https://www.businessinsider.com/met-gala">Met Gala</a> is among the most exciting fashion events of the year.An annual fundraiser for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute, the Met Gala brings together celebrities, socialites, athletes, and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/nepo-babies-with-famous-children-celebrity-dynasties">nepo babies</a> in the form of a themed party at the museum itself.The <a target="_blank" rel href="https://www.businessinsider.com/met-gala-co-chairs-theme-dress-code-explained-2024">2024 Met Gala</a> has a "Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion" theme and a "<a target="_blank" rel href="https://www.businessinsider.com/met-gala-2024-theme-sleeping-beauties-reawakening-fashion-stylist-predictions-2023-11">Garden of Time</a>" dress code, which will shape what attendees wear on the red carpet.The Met Gala is also among the most exclusive events for A-listers, and it has been for decades. Royals, politicians, and creatives have attended in years past.Check out vintage photos from Met Gala's in the past for a peek into the event's history.

Wallis Simpson, King Edward VIII's wife, sported a blue dress and white opera gloves for the 1974 Met Gala.

Wallis Simpson at the Met Gala in 1974. Oscar Abolafia/TPLP/Getty Images

Forty years before Beyoncé and Kim Kardashian followed in her footsteps, Cher wore a naked dress to the Met Gala designed by Bob Mackie.

Cher and Bob Mackie at the Met Gala in 1974Ron Galella/Getty Images

Before he was president of the United States, Ronald Reagan was his wife Nancy's date at the Met Gala in 1977.

Ronald and Nancy Reagan attend the Met Gala, "Vanity Fair - A Treasure Trove of the Costume Institute," on December 12, 1977.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

Margaux Hemingway, granddaughter of the author Ernest Hemingway, attended the Met Gala in 1979 at the height of her supermodel fame.

Margaux Hemingway at the Met Gala in 1979.Bettmann/Getty Images

Betsey Bloomingdale, who married the famed department store founder's grandson, was a fashion icon in her own right. She wore a statement fur coat to the Met Gala in 1978.

Socialite Betsey Bloomingdale at the Met Gala in 1978.Tony Palmieri/WWD/Penske Media via Getty Images

Betsey Bloomingdale, who married the famed department store founder's grandson, was a fashion icon in her own right. She wore a statement fur coat to the Met Gala in 1978.

Socialite Lee Radziwill, Jackie Kennedy's sister, looked impeccably chic as she mingled with Valentino at the 1978 Met Gala.

Lee Radziwill and Valentino at the 1978 Met GalaFairchild Archive/Penske Media via Getty Images

Actor Berry Berenson looked disco-ready in a sparkling red jumpsuit as she attended the 1979 Met Gala with Studio 54 owner Steve Rubell.

Berry Berenson and Studio 54 owner Steve Rubell at the 1979 Met Gala.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

Andy Warhol posed with actors Raquel Welch and Daniela Morera, both of whom were subjects of his Pop Art portraits, at the Met Gala in 1980.

Andy Warhol, Raquel Welch and Daniela Morera at the Met Gala in 1980.tobi seftel/Corbis via Getty Images

French designer Paloma Picasso, daughter of the famous artist, was snapped at the Met Gala in 1981.

Paloma Picasso and husband Rafeel Lopez-Sanchez at the Met Gala in 1981.Tobi Seftel/Getty Images

Former Vogue editor in chief Diana Vreeland, who ran the magazine from 1963-1971, looked fabulous in a polka dot gown as she attended the 1981 Met Gala with designer Bill Blass.

Diana Vreeland and Bill Blass at the Met Gala in 1981.Sonia Moskowitz/Getty Images

Former Vogue editor in chief Diana Vreeland, who ran the magazine from 1963-1971, looked fabulous in a polka dot gown as she attended the 1981 Met Gala with designer Bill Blass.

Bianca Jagger, first wife of the Rolling Stones frontman, oozed glamour in a strapless dress at the 1981 Met Gala.

Bianca Jagger at the 1981 Met GalaFairchild Archive/Penske Media via Getty Images)

Raquel Welch stole the show at the 1982 Met Gala in a shimmering long-sleeved cheetah print dress, complete with a pearl choker.

Raquel Welch at the 1982 Met Gala.Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

Cher stunned in another sheer and sparkling Bob Mackie creation when they attended the Met Gala together in 1985.

Cher and Bob Mackie at the 1985 Met Gala.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

Donald Trump was a frequent fixture at the Met Gala in the 80s and 90s. He attended the 1985 party with his first wife, Ivana.

Donald and Ivana Trump at the 1985 Met Gala.Tom Gates/Archive Photos/Getty Images

Legendary journalist Barbara Walters was often in attendance. She attended the 1986 Met Gala with TV producer Merv Adelson, her third husband.

Barbara Walters at the 1986 Met Gala.Sonia Moskowitz/Getty Images

Italian actress Gina Lollobrigida was definitely on theme when she wore this ornate white dress to the Met Gala in 1988, titled "From Queen to Empress: Victorian Dress 1837–1877."

Italian actress Gina Lollobrigida at the Met Gala in 1988.Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

Italian actress Gina Lollobrigida was definitely on theme when she wore this ornate white dress to the Met Gala in 1988, titled "From Queen to Empress: Victorian Dress 1837–1877."

Diane von Furstenberg sported a colorful robe as she chatted with Calvin Klein at the 1988 Met Gala.

Diane von Furstenberg and Calvin Klein at the 1988 Met Gala.Rose Hartman/Getty Images

Anna Wintour sparkled in gold at the Met Gala in 1989, the year after she was named editor-in-chief of Vogue.

Anna Wintour at the Met Gala in 1989Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

Met Gala 2024 live updates: red carpet arrivals, fashion highlights, celebrity interviews, and more

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18 vintage photos of the Met Gala that show it's been a glamourous night for decades

Wallis Simpson, King Edward VIII's wife, sported a blue dress and white opera gloves for the 1974 Met Gala.

Forty years before Beyoncé and Kim Kardashian followed in her footsteps, Cher wore a naked dress to the Met Gala designed by Bob Mackie.

Before he was president of the United States, Ronald Reagan was his wife Nancy's date at the Met Gala in 1977.

Margaux Hemingway, granddaughter of the author Ernest Hemingway, attended the Met Gala in 1979 at the height of her supermodel fame.

Betsey Bloomingdale, who married the famed department store founder's grandson, was a fashion icon in her own right. She wore a statement fur coat to the Met Gala in 1978.

Socialite Lee Radziwill, Jackie Kennedy's sister, looked impeccably chic as she mingled with Valentino at the 1978 Met Gala.

Actor Berry Berenson looked disco-ready in a sparkling red jumpsuit as she attended the 1979 Met Gala with Studio 54 owner Steve Rubell.

Andy Warhol posed with actors Raquel Welch and Daniela Morera, both of whom were subjects of his Pop Art portraits, at the Met Gala in 1980.

French designer Paloma Picasso, daughter of the famous artist, was snapped at the Met Gala in 1981.

Former Vogue editor in chief Diana Vreeland, who ran the magazine from 1963-1971, looked fabulous in a polka dot gown as she attended the 1981 Met Gala with designer Bill Blass.

Bianca Jagger, first wife of the Rolling Stones frontman, oozed glamour in a strapless dress at the 1981 Met Gala.

Raquel Welch stole the show at the 1982 Met Gala in a shimmering long-sleeved cheetah print dress, complete with a pearl choker.

Cher stunned in another sheer and sparkling Bob Mackie creation when they attended the Met Gala together in 1985.

Donald Trump was a frequent fixture at the Met Gala in the 80s and 90s. He attended the 1985 party with his first wife, Ivana.

Legendary journalist Barbara Walters was often in attendance. She attended the 1986 Met Gala with TV producer Merv Adelson, her third husband.

Italian actress Gina Lollobrigida was definitely on theme when she wore this ornate white dress to the Met Gala in 1988, titled "From Queen to Empress: Victorian Dress 1837–1877."

Diane von Furstenberg sported a colorful robe as she chatted with Calvin Klein at the 1988 Met Gala.

Anna Wintour sparkled in gold at the Met Gala in 1989, the year after she was named editor-in-chief of Vogue.