Biography
Who is Linda Evangelista?
Early life and education
Born in St. Catharines, Ontario, Linda Evangelista grew up in a strict Catholic household. Her parents, Tom and Marisa, emigrated from Italy to Canada. Her father worked for General Motors following his move. As a teenager, she attended Denis Morris Catholic High School.
At age 12, she enrolled in a modelling course that taught her poise and etiquette. She later entered the Miss Teen Niagara beauty pageant in 1981, which led to a representative from Elite Model Management noticing her potential. Although she briefly worked in Japan at sixteen, she returned to Canada before fully launching her professional career later.
Career breakthrough
In 1984, Linda Evangelista moved to New York City to sign with Elite Model Management. She soon traveled to Paris to begin high-fashion work. Her first major magazine cover appeared on L'Officiel that same year.
By 1985, she started working with Chanel designer Karl Lagerfeld, becoming a muse for the fashion house. A major turning point occurred in 1988 when photographer Peter Lindbergh suggested she cut her hair short. This gamine style, known as The Linda, initially caused some industry pushback, leading to cancelled shows. However, it quickly became a big trend that defined her look and helped cement her status as a top model.
Rise of the supermodel
During the late 1980s and 1990s, Linda Evangelista became one of the most recognizable figures in fashion. She was part of the group of star models often called the Big 6. Her work with photographer Steven Meisel was particularly significant, as he served as a frequent collaborator throughout her career.
In 1990, she appeared on the British Vogue cover alongside Christy Turlington, Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, and Tatjana Patitz. This famous image helped establish the supermodel era. She also featured in the music video for the song Freedom 90 by George Michael. During this time, she was known as a fashion chameleon due to her constant changes in hair color and style.
Professional achievements
Throughout her career, Linda Evangelista appeared on more than 700 magazine covers, including Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, and Rolling Stone. She worked with major designers such as Gianni Versace, Valentino, and Dolce & Gabbana. In 1990, she famously stated that models do not wake up for less than 10,000 dollars a day. This quote became a widely recognized remark in the industry.
She received the Greatest Supermodel of All Time award in 2008 from Fashion File viewers. She also earned a spot on Canada's Walk of Fame. Although she retired in 1998, she returned to work sporadically in later years.
Birthday and age
Linda Evangelista was born on May 10, 1965, which makes Linda 61 years old today. That birthday falls under the Taurus sign. Linda shares the date with 38 other famous people.
Explore more
