Born in Genova, during his studies in law Giulio Anselmi began to collaborate with Il Corriere Mercantile. After graduation he wrote for Stampa Sera and La Stampa. A correspondent of Panorama, from 1977 to 1984 he worked at the Secolo XIX, where he was also sub-editor.
Following that he became editor of Il Mondo and co-editor of Corriere della Sera until 1993. That same year he became editor of Il Messaggero. From 1997 to 1999 he directed ANSA. He was editor of Espresso until 2002. An editorialist for La Repubblica, he has also been a consultant for the television program Ballarò.