About Karen Mulder
Karen Mulder was born on June 1, 1970, in Vlaardingen, Netherlands, to Ben Mulder, a tax inspector, and Marijke, a secretary. Raised in a middle-class family in The Hague with her younger sister Saskia, she grew up with an interest in music and photography. At 15, she was scouted by a local photographer who submitted her photos to Elite Model Management’s “Look of the Year” contest. She placed second in 1985, leading to a contract with Elite, and moved to Paris at 17 to pursue modeling after finishing high school. Mulder is of Dutch descent, with her family rooted in the Netherlands. She has occasionally referenced her Dutch heritage as influencing her disciplined work ethic. She is primarily known as Karen Mulder, with no widely used aliases. In the 1990s, she was sometimes called “The Dutch Darling” by fashion media for her classic blonde beauty.
Mulder rose to fame in the 1990s as a supermodel, known for her elegant features and poised presence. She appeared on over 100 magazine covers, including Vogue (U.S., French, Italian), Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, Marie Claire, and Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, where she debuted in 1993. Her breakthrough came with her 1991 Vogue Paris cover, shot by Patrick Demarchelier. She starred in campaigns for Yves Saint Laurent, Valentino, and Guess, and was a Victoria’s Secret Angel from 1992 to 1998, appearing in catalogs and the 1996 and 1997 fashion shows. She walked runways for Chanel, Dior, and Givenchy. Notable moments include her 1992 Vogue cover with Christy Turlington and her 1997 Sports Illustrated shoot in the Bahamas. Mulder retired from modeling in 2000 but made brief returns, appearing in Vogue Netherlands (2019).
Mulder signed with Elite Model Management in 1985, remaining with them through her peak. She later worked with Ford Models and Women Management for select projects. Her editorial work includes Vogue (multiple editions), Harper’s Bazaar, W, Elle, Cosmopolitan, and Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. A favorite of photographers like Demarchelier and Steven Meisel, she embodied 1990s sophistication. Her work was featured in the 2009 Metropolitan Museum of Art’s The Model as Muse exhibition.
Mulder has a minimal social media presence, with no verified public Instagram account. She maintains a low profile, occasionally sharing updates through private channels or interviews, focusing on privacy over public engagement.
At 5’10” with blonde hair and blue eyes, Mulder’s measurements were approximately 34"-24"-34" during her peak, with a 34B bra size. Known for her delicate features, high cheekbones, and slender frame, she has not confirmed cosmetic surgeries, with her look attributed to natural beauty and minimal upkeep. She has no known tattoos or piercings.
Mulder’s appeal lies in her refined beauty and graceful demeanor. Fans and designers, like Yves Saint Laurent, praised her as “a porcelain vision” for her classic elegance.
Her net worth is estimated at $10 million, earned through modeling, endorsements (Guess, Lancôme), and her Victoria’s Secret work. She was a top-earning model in the 1990s, commanding high fees for campaigns and runways, though her income declined after retiring.
Mulder faced significant controversies, including a 2001 public breakdown on French television, where she made allegations of abuse against industry figures, including her father and Elite executive Gérald Marie. These claims were not substantiated, and she later retracted some statements, citing mental health struggles. She attempted suicide in 2002, leading to hospitalization, and took legal action against her psychiatrist for overmedication in 2007. These events drew media attention but also sympathy for her recovery efforts.
Her acting roles are minimal, with appearances in Ready to Wear (1994, cameo) and a Dutch TV movie, De Gulle Minnaar (1990). She released a music single, I Am What I Am, in 2000, which had limited success. Mulder had limited TV appearances, featuring in fashion segments on MTV’s House of Style (1990s) and Dutch talk shows like Jensen! (2007), discussing her career and recovery. She appeared in The Super Models (2023, docuseries, as a guest).
Mulder was married to photographer René Bosne (1992–1995) and dated French businessman Jean-Yves Le Fur in the 1990s. She has a daughter, Sophie, born in 2004, from a later relationship, and has focused on raising her in Paris and the Netherlands. She keeps her personal life private.
Mulder’s legacy lies in her role as a 1990s supermodel, with her Victoria’s Secret work and high-fashion campaigns defining an era of glamour. Her resilience after personal struggles inspired peers, and she supports mental health awareness through Dutch charities like Mind. Her influence is seen in models like Doutzen Kroes.
As of 2025, Mulder lives a private life in the Netherlands, occasionally modeling for local brands and appearing in editorials like Elle Netherlands. She focuses on raising her daughter, engaging in photography as a hobby, and supporting mental health initiatives, maintaining a low-key presence as a former fashion icon.
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