Linda Evangelista – Biography: 5 Key Facts To Know About The Model

Quick Facts

The “chameleon” model – this is the nickname given to Linda Evangelista who belongs to the league of the most influential and accomplished among supermodels of all time. The veteran model has graced the covers of over 700 magazines and is primarily popular for being the longtime muse for Steven Meisel – the famed photographer who captured her multiple appearances on the front page of the Vogue Italia. She is also known for her popular phrase “We don’t wake up for less than $10,000 a day.”

Her career in modelling officially took off in 1984 with Elite Model Management after she left Canada and settled in New York City. Linda was recommended by Peter Lindbergh – a notable photographer. The decision to go on short hair which was nicknamed “The Linda” in 1988 promoted her career in so many ways; it sparked off several copies all over the world and aided her in ushering in the era of the supermodel.

The latter end of the 1980s, as well as the 1990s, saw her become one of the most famous women worldwide but distinct from other models – she was averse to going into other forms of entertainment like acting. Thus, Linda Evangelista worked solely as a model until 1998 when she retired. Although she made a come back after three years, she only worked occasionally.

Biography

Linda Evangelista was born in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada, on the 10th of May 1965. Her parents who were Italian Immigrants to Canada were devout Catholics and raised her as such. Her dad Tomaso, an ex-staff of General Motors passed on in January 2014, her mum Marisa earned a living as a bookkeeper. She is the second of three kids and grew up in her city of birth.

At age 12, she passed through a self-improvement course in a school of modelling where she polished the rough edges on things like etiquette as well as poise, Linda was later admonished to take up a modelling course. By the time she got into her teens, she was already active in modelling in her locality. The 1981 Miss Teen Niagara beauty pageant brought her to the attention of a representative from Elite Model Management who hired her even though she did not win the contest.

Linda Evangelista had a little set back at the age of 16 when she traveled to Japan for a modelling assignment. An unpalatable experience which involved nudity made her want to call it quits with her career. She went home and spent a couple of years before deciding to resume work again.

5 Key Facts to Know About Linda Evangelista

Career achievements

Her career took-off with Elite Model Management in 1984, she relocated to New York and later moved to Paris where she made her debut internationally at the age of 19. She was first featured as the cover girl of L’Officiel Magazine and till date, she has made the front cover of over 700 magazines. Chanel was the first famous brand she worked with, her work in the 1980s and 90s gave her the pride of place as one of the crème de la crème in the industry and she is seen by many models as a huge source of inspiration.

Relationship history

Linda Evangelista only had a taste of matrimony with the head of Elite modeling agency’s Paris office Gérald Marie. The duo became a couple in 1987 but by 1993, their marriage had already hit the rocks. Other men she dated include Kyle MacLachlan – an actor she met while working for Barneys New York on a photo session in 1992. Their official engagement was announced in 1995 but they called it quits in 1998. Fabien Barthez – the French footballer was also one of her lovers. The duo separated in 2000 but came back together the next year, yet their relationship officially ended in 2002.

She sued her baby daddy for a whopping amount for child support

Her son Augustin James Evangelista was born in October 2006, though she refused to reveal the identity of the father at that time. She was on the cover page of the August 2016 edition of Vogue with her baby bump. In June 2011, Linda revealed her son’s father to be François-Henri Pinault – billionaire Frenchman who was then married to actress Salma Hayek. According to facts, Pinault and Linda dated for four months. Linda Evangelista filed a lawsuit in Manhattan Family Court, demanding for child support of $46,000 monthly, it was reported that the amount would be the highest child support since the inception of that court if granted. The trial commenced on the 3rd of May 2012 but a few days later, the couple decided on an out-of-court settlement on the 7th of May 2012.

Her net worth

Although her annual income has never been published, her net worth has been pegged at $25 million by a source that is very reliable. A majority of her wealth came from modelling as she refused to go into other forms of entertainment like her counterparts.

Body Statistics

Her height is listed as 5 feet 10 inches with a matching body weight of 55kg. Linda Evangelista comes with blue-green eye color and brown hair. She is of slim body build, generally measured at 33-24–35, the breakdown of which is 33 for bust, 24 for waist and 35 for the hips.

Also Read: Top 10 Richest People in the world with full biography and details.