Olympic Silver Medalist's Annie Leibovitz Portrait Up for Auction

Iconic image of ski racer Bill Kidd to benefit Steamboat Symphony Orchestra

Jan. 29, 2026 at 7:39pm

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Bidders will have the chance to own an iconic image taken by renowned American portrait photographer Annie Leibovitz of American ski racer Bill Kidd that captured the Western spirit of Steamboat Springs. The framed magazine cover featuring Leibovitz's photo of Kidd will be auctioned off as part of a fundraiser for the Steamboat Symphony Orchestra's music education initiatives.

Why it matters

The portrait of Bill Kidd by Annie Leibovitz is an iconic image that represents the Western spirit of Steamboat Springs. The auction of this piece will help support the Steamboat Symphony Orchestra's important music education programs, which provide opportunities for young musicians in the community.

The details

Kidd, a silver medalist in the 1964 Olympics, was selected to be part of an American Express advertising campaign called 'Portraits' in the 1980s and 1990s that featured notable celebrities. He spent several days working with Leibovitz to capture the perfect shot, which ended up on the cover of the 1991 winter edition of Steamboat Magazine. The framed magazine cover will be on display and up for auction as part of the Steamboat Symphony Orchestra's Winter Gala and concert events.

  • The magazine cover will be on display at Library Hall on Friday as part of the SSO's Gala event.
  • The magazine cover will also be on display at the performance of Symphony of Champions at the Strings Music Pavilion on Feb. 5.
  • Bidding on the magazine cover will open Thursday night and go through Feb. 5.

The players

Bill Kidd

An American ski racer who won a silver medal in the slalom at the 1964 Olympics and a gold medal in the combined event at the 1970 World Championships.

Annie Leibovitz

A renowned American portrait photographer who captured the iconic image of Bill Kidd as part of an American Express advertising campaign in the 1980s and 1990s.

Steamboat Symphony Orchestra

A local orchestra in Steamboat Springs, Colorado that is hosting a fundraiser to auction off the framed magazine cover featuring Leibovitz's portrait of Bill Kidd to support its music education initiatives.

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What they’re saying

“I was selected to be one of these people, celebrities to be included in this American Express advertising campaign called, 'Portraits'”

— Bill Kidd

“After she got all the photographs that she wanted, I said, 'I've got a little ranch south of Steamboat Springs at Stagecoach Reservoir, I'm not sure if you would be interested, but go out and look at it … I wasn't trying to talk her into a photograph of me on my ranch, but when we got there she liked it,'”

— Bill Kidd

What’s next

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The takeaway

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