A rotary anode 2 for a rotary anode X-ray tube is provided, comprising an anode disc 6 with a supporting portion 7. A focal track 5 is located in the vicinity of an outer diameter of the anode disc 6. The supporting portion 7 has inhomogeneous material properties along a radial coordinate of the anode disc 6 to provide a high mechanical load capacity in the area of an inner diameter of the anode disc 6 and a high thermal load capacity at the focal track 5. By this means, a rotary anode 2 for a rotary anode X-ray tube is provided that meets the extreme thermal and mechanical loads during operation. Further, a method for manufacturing such a rotary anode 2 is provided.