About Linda Evangelista
Linda Evangelista was born on May 10, 1965, in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada, to Italian immigrant parents, Marisa and Tomaso Evangelista. Raised in a working-class Catholic family with two brothers, Michael and Daniel, she attended Denis Morris Catholic High School. Her mother enrolled her in modeling school at age 12, and at 16, she was scouted by a New York agency during the Miss Teen Niagara pageant. After graduating high school, she moved to New York to pursue modeling, initially facing challenges but breaking through in Paris. Evangelista is of Italian descent, with her family emigrating from Italy to Canada. Her heritage is a significant part of her identity, reflected in her public pride in her Italian roots. She is primarily known as Linda Evangelista, with no widely documented aliases. Early in her career, she was nicknamed “The Chameleon” for her ability to transform her look.
Evangelista became a supermodel in the late 1980s and 1990s, and is part of "The Big 10," a group of supermodels that dominated the 1990s, where being a celebrity and appearing on MTV was as important as appearing on a runway or on a fashion magazine. They included Elle MacPherson, Cindy Crawford (Supermodel), Linda Evangelista, Stephanie Seymour, Tatjana Patitz, Christy Turlington, Helena Christensen, Claudia Schiffer, and Kate Moss." Known for her versatility, she appeared on over 700 magazine covers, including Vogue (U.S., British, Italian, French), Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, Allure, and W. Iconic moments include her 1990 British Vogue cover with Crawford, Campbell, Turlington, and Tatjana Patitz, and her role in George Michael’s Freedom! ’90 video. She worked with photographers like Steven Meisel, Peter Lindbergh, and Annie Leibovitz, and walked runways for Versace, Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana, and others. Her campaigns included Revlon, Calvin Klein, and Yves Saint Laurent’s Opium. Her 1991 quote, “We don’t wake up for less than $10,000 a day,” became infamous, though she later clarified it was taken out of context. She semi-retired in the late 1990s but returned periodically, notably for Vogue’s 2001 issue and Versace’s 2017 show.
Evangelista signed with Elite Model Management in New York early in her career, later moving to DNA Model Management. She also worked with Models 1 in London and other international agencies during her peak. Her editorial work spans Vogue (multiple editions), Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, Marie Claire, W, Allure, and i-D. She was a muse for Steven Meisel, appearing in numerous Vogue Italia covers. In 2009, she was featured in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s The Model as Muse exhibition.
Evangelista has a limited social media presence compared to modern influencers, with an Instagram account (@lindaevangelista) followed by over 1 million. She shares throwback modeling images, advocacy for health issues, and occasional personal updates, maintaining a professional yet reserved online persona.
At 5’9½” with brown hair (often dyed) and blue-green eyes, Evangelista’s measurements were approximately 34"-24"-34" during her peak, with a 34B bra size. Known for her chiseled cheekbones and ever-changing hairstyles, she famously cut her hair into a bob in 1988, sparking a global trend. She has admitted to cosmetic procedures, including Botox and CoolSculpting, but faced complications from the latter, leading to a 2021 lawsuit against Zeltiq Aesthetics. No tattoos or piercings are documented.
Evangelista’s appeal lies in her transformative beauty and professionalism. Fans and designers, like Karl Lagerfeld, praised her as “the Stradivarius of models” for her ability to embody any look. Her high cheekbones, expressive eyes, and adaptability are frequently highlighted, with her bold style changes setting her apart.
Her net worth is estimated at $40 million, earned through modeling, endorsements (Revlon, Yves Saint Laurent, Dolce & Gabbana), and appearances. Her peak earnings in the 1990s made her one of the highest-paid models, though her infamous $10,000-a-day quote was contextualized as a collective statement about supermodels’ value.
Evangelista faced controversy over her 1991 quote, which was perceived as arrogant, and in 2021, she revealed she had been “brutally disfigured” by CoolSculpting, leading to a lawsuit and public discussion about cosmetic procedure risks. She also navigated a high-profile custody battle with François-Henri Pinault.
Her acting roles are minimal, with a cameo in Prêt-à-Porter (1994) and appearances in documentaries like Unzipped (1995) and Catwalk (1995). She featured in music videos, including George Michael’s Freedom! ’90 (1990) and Too Funky (1992). Evangelista appeared on TV shows like Sex and the City (2003, as a saleswoman), Australia’s Next Top Model (2007, guest judge), and The Super Models (2023, docuseries). She was a guest on The Oprah Winfrey Show and Late Night with David Letterman, discussing her career.
Evangelista had high-profile relationships, including a marriage to Elite executive Gérald Marie (1987–1993), an engagement to actor Kyle MacLachlan (1995–1998), and a relationship with François-Henri Pinault, with whom she has a son, Augustin James (born 2006). She dated Peter Morton (2006–2010) and settled a child support case with Pinault in 2012. She keeps her personal life private, focusing on raising her son in New York.
Evangelista’s legacy as a supermodel lies in her versatility and influence, shaping the industry’s golden era. Her chameleon-like ability inspired models like Kendall Jenner and Bella Hadid. Her advocacy for cosmetic procedure transparency post-CoolSculpting added to her impact. She supports charities like the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and ACT UP.
As of 2025, Evangelista remains semi-retired but active in fashion, appearing in campaigns like Fendi’s 2022 show and Vogue’s September 2022 issue with fellow supermodels. She advocates for health awareness, shares updates on Instagram, and focuses on her son’s upbringing in New York, maintaining a low-profile yet enduring presence in fashion. Linda Evangelista is the first cousin of actress, Christine Evangelista.
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