History of Linda Evangelista in Timeline
Linda Evangelista is a renowned Canadian fashion model celebrated for her significant impact on the modeling industry. She is widely acknowledged as one of the most accomplished and influential models, having graced over 700 magazine covers throughout her career. Evangelista is notably recognized for her collaboration with photographer Steven Meisel, who considered her a longtime muse. She is also famous for coining the iconic phrase: 'We don't wake up for less than $10,000 a day,' which underscored the high value and demand for top models during her era. Her contributions have left a lasting legacy in the world of fashion modeling.
1957: Linda Evangelista's Family Emigrates
In 1957, the family of Linda Evangelista emigrated from Pignataro Interamna, Italy, to Canada. Her father later worked for General Motors, setting roots for the family in Ontario.
May 10, 1965: Birth of Linda Evangelista
Linda Evangelista was born on May 10, 1965, in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada, to Italian immigrant parents. She would go on to become one of the most influential fashion models.
1981: Participation in Miss Teen Niagara
In 1981, Linda Evangelista participated in the Miss Teen Niagara beauty pageant, catching the attention of Elite Model Management, although she did not win the pageant.
November 1984: First Major Fashion Cover
In November 1984, Linda Evangelista appeared on her first major fashion magazine cover for L'Officiel, marking a significant milestone in her career.
1984: Start of Modelling Career
In 1984, Linda Evangelista began her modelling career after signing with Elite Model Management and moving from Canada to New York City. This marked the beginning of her journey in the fashion industry.
1985: Collaboration with Karl Lagerfeld
In 1985, Linda Evangelista began her collaboration with fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld, becoming his muse and solidifying her role in the fashion industry.
1986: Meeting with Steven Meisel
In 1986, Linda Evangelista met photographer Steven Meisel, starting a professional collaboration that would define much of her career as she became his muse.
1987: Revlon Campaign Appearances
Beginning in 1987, Linda Evangelista appeared in advertisements for Revlon's 'The Most Unforgettable Women in the World' campaign, further establishing her as a leading model.
1987: Marriage to Gérald Marie
In 1987, Evangelista married Gérald Marie, the head of Elite Model Management's Paris office.
1987: First Versace Ad Campaign
In 1987, Linda Evangelista appeared in a Versace ad campaign, becoming a muse for designer Gianni Versace and expanding her influence in fashion circles.
1988: The Haircut that Launched a Trend
In 1988, Linda Evangelista's gamine haircut, suggested by photographer Peter Lindbergh, initially faced backlash but eventually became a trend by 1989, known as 'The Linda'.
1988: The Short Haircut Transformation
In 1988, Linda Evangelista underwent a significant transformation by cutting her hair short, on the advice of photographer Peter Lindbergh. This change would become one of her signature looks.
1989: Trendsetting Short Haircut
By 1989, Linda Evangelista's short haircut had become the defining look of the season, inspiring the creation of wigs to emulate her style.
January 1990: British Vogue Supermodel Cover
In January 1990, Linda Evangelista appeared on the cover of British Vogue alongside other top models, helping define the era of supermodels. This cover led to her appearance in George Michael's 'Freedom! '90' music video.
October 1990: Famous Vogue Interview Quote
In October 1990, Linda Evangelista made the iconic statement 'We don't wake up for less than $10,000 a day' in an interview with Vogue, cementing her status in modelling history.
October 1990: Iconic Hair Color Changes
In October 1990, Linda Evangelista shocked the fashion world by dyeing her hair platinum blonde and later a striking red, reinforcing her reputation as a fashion 'chameleon'.
September 1991: Time Magazine Cover Story
In September 1991, Linda Evangelista was featured in a cover story for Time magazine, marking a significant moment in her career.
September 1991: "The Wild Ones" Photograph
In September 1991, a Vogue photo spread titled "Wild at Heart" featured Evangelista photographed by Peter Lindbergh, with one iconic image known as "The Wild Ones."
1991: Kenar Billboards and Ads Against AIDS Campaign
Throughout 1991, Linda Evangelista was featured on several billboards for the fashion brand Kenar in Times Square, as part of the Ads Against AIDS campaign.
April 1992: Vogue's 100th Anniversary Issue
In April 1992, Evangelista graced the cover of Vogue's 100th anniversary issue, which became the magazine's highest-selling issue.
July 1992: Cover of Canadian Flare Magazine
Evangelista was featured on the cover of Canadian fashion magazine Flare in July 1992, for an issue commemorating Canada's 125th anniversary.
September 1992: Iconic Harper's Bazaar Cover
Evangelista's September 1992 cover for Harper's Bazaar is widely regarded as iconic.
October 1992: Meisel Photograph Auctioned
In October 2012, a photograph of Evangelista and Kristen McMenamy by Steven Meisel for Vogue's October 1992 issue was sold at a Phillips auction for a significant sum.
1992: Meeting Kyle MacLachlan
Evangelista first met actor Kyle MacLachlan during a photoshoot for Barneys New York in 1992.
1992: "Beauty and the Seven Beasts" Billboard Controversy
In 1992, a Kenar billboard featuring Evangelista with seven older Sicilian women sparked controversy and was dubbed "Beauty and the Seven Beasts".
1993: Divorce from Gérald Marie
Evangelista and Gérald Marie divorced in 1993 after six years of marriage.
1993: 5-Day Tour of Australia with Claudia Schiffer
In 1993, Evangelista and fellow supermodel Claudia Schiffer embarked on a 5-day tour of Australia, which included a news conference and a televised fashion show.
October 1994: Vogue Italia's 30th Anniversary Issue
Evangelista was one of several models featured on the cover of Vogue Italia's 30th anniversary issue in October 1994.
1995: Engagement to Kyle MacLachlan
Evangelista and Kyle MacLachlan got engaged in 1995 after dating for three years.
1995: New Hairstyle by Garren of New York
In 1995, hairstylist Garren of New York gave Evangelista a new look with an asymmetrical bob, reminiscent of 1960s mod hairstyles.
1996: "Linda Kissing Linda" Photograph
A 1996 photograph titled "Linda Kissing Linda," originally from a Kenar advertisement featuring Evangelista, was recognized by the Guggenheim Museum as a representation of androgyny.
1996: Featured in Lindbergh's Book "10 Women"
Evangelista was one of the ten subjects of Peter Lindbergh's photography book "10 Women" in 1996.
1996: VH1 Fashion Awards Lifetime Achievement Award
In 1996, Evangelista was honored with the VH1 Fashion Awards Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by Anna Wintour.
1997: Religious Beliefs and Literary Preferences
In a 1997 interview, Evangelista revealed her Roman Catholic faith and stated that her favorite book was the Bible.
1998: Breakup with Kyle MacLachlan
Evangelista and Kyle MacLachlan ended their engagement and broke up in 1998.
1998: Retirement from Modeling
Evangelista decided to retire from modeling in 1998 and relocated to the French Riviera.
1998: Retirement from Modelling
Linda Evangelista retired from active modelling in 1998, having been one of the most famous models of the late 1980s and 1990s. She later made a sporadic return to the industry.
2000: Breakup with Fabien Barthez
Evangelista and French footballer Fabien Barthez, whom she had been dating, broke up in 2000.
2001: Return to Modeling and Vogue Cover
Evangelista made a notable comeback to modeling in 2001, gracing the cover of Vogue's September issue.
2001: Reconciliation with Fabien Barthez
Evangelista briefly reconciled with Fabien Barthez in 2001.
2002: Final Breakup with Fabien Barthez
Evangelista and Fabien Barthez ended their relationship for good in 2002.
June 2003: Star on Canada's Walk of Fame
June 2003 marked a significant moment in Evangelista's career when she received a star on Canada's Walk of Fame in Toronto.
2005: Relationship with François-Henri Pinault
Evangelista and François-Henri Pinault had a brief relationship spanning four months between late 2005 and early 2006.
2005: World Fashion Icon Award
Evangelista's global impact on fashion was recognized in 2005 when she was named a World Fashion Icon at the Women's World Awards in Leipzig, Germany.
August 2006: Vogue Cover While Pregnant
While pregnant with her son, Evangelista was featured on the August 2006 cover of Vogue.
October 2006: Birth of Son, Augustin James
Evangelista gave birth to her son, Augustin James, in October 2006, declining to publicly name the father.
2006: Featured in "In Vogue: The Illustrated History"
Evangelista was featured on the cover of the book "In Vogue: The Illustrated History of the World's Most Famous Fashion Magazine".
2007: Final Runway Appearance and L'Oreal Contract
Evangelista's final runway appearance took place in 2007 at Christian Dior's 60th anniversary show. She also signed a multi-year contract with L'Oreal Paris as a brand ambassador.
March 2008: "The Greatest Supermodel of All Time"
In March 2008, viewers of the CBC Television show "Fashion File" voted Evangelista as "The Greatest Supermodel of All Time."
May 2008: Appearance at Cannes Film Festival
In May 2008, Evangelista attended the Cannes Film Festival, where she was photographed on the red carpet.
September 2008: Featured in Vanity Fair's Supermodel Story
Evangelista was featured in a Vanity Fair article titled "A League of Their Own," which focused on supermodels.
2008: Voted 'The Greatest Supermodel of All Time'
In 2008, Linda Evangelista was voted 'The Greatest Supermodel of All Time' by viewers of the television show Fashion File, recognizing her significant impact on the fashion industry.
2009: Metropolitan Museum of Art Exhibition
The Metropolitan Museum of Art's exhibition "The Model as Muse: Embodying Fashion" in 2009 included Evangelista as one of the celebrated models.
June 2011: Paternity of Son Revealed
In late June 2011, court documents revealed that François-Henri Pinault, whom Evangelista had briefly dated, was the father of her son.
August 1, 2011: Child Support Filing
On August 1, 2011, Evangelista formally filed for a child support order in Manhattan Family Court, seeking financial support from François-Henri Pinault for their son.
May 3, 2012: Child Support Trial Begins
A highly publicized child support trial between Evangelista and Pinault commenced on May 3, 2012.
May 7, 2012: Child Support Settlement
Evangelista and Pinault reached an out-of-court settlement in their child support case on May 7, 2012, concluding the trial.
May 2012: Vogue Italia Cover and "Vogue: The Editor's Eye"
Evangelista was featured on the cover of Vogue Italia in May 2012, marking her return to the magazine after a three-year break. She was also included in the book "Vogue: The Editor's Eye."
June 2013: Council of Fashion Designers of America Awards
Evangelista attended the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) Awards in June 2013 and presented an award to fashion journalist Tim Blanks.
July 2013: Vogue Germany Cover and Vogue Italia Tribute
In July 2013, Evangelista graced the cover of Vogue Germany, styled as actress Anna Magnani. She was also featured on the cover of Vogue Italia for an issue honoring Franca Sozzani's 25th anniversary as editor-in-chief.
October 2013: amfAR's Inaugural Inspiration Gala Host
Evangelista hosted amfAR's Inaugural Inspiration Gala in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in October 2013, showcasing her dedication to HIV/AIDS research and awareness.
September 2014: Vogue Japan 15th Anniversary Cover and More
In September 2014, Evangelista graced the covers of Vogue Japan's 15th anniversary issue, Harper's Bazaar's "biggest ever" issue, and Vogue Italia's 50th anniversary issue, alongside other models.
October 2014: Guest Judge and New Face
October 2014 saw Evangelista sign on as a guest judge for Australia's Next Top Model's ninth season and become the face of Dolce & Gabbana's new makeup line.
2014: Death of Linda Evangelista's Father
In 2014, Linda Evangelista's father, Tomaso 'Tom' Evangelista, passed away. He had been an immigrant from Italy and worked for General Motors in Canada.
June 2015: FiFi Awards Chairwoman
In June 2015, Evangelista took on the role of chairwoman at the FiFi Awards, presenting awards for prestigious fragrances.
October 2015: Cover Star and Fragrance Campaign
October 2015 saw Evangelista featured on the cover of Philip Treacy's book, showcasing his hat designs. That same month, she starred in a campaign for Moschino's "Fresh" fragrance.
February 2016: Vogue 100: A Century of Style Cover Star
In February 2016, Evangelista's 1991 photograph was chosen as the cover image for "Vogue 100: A Century of Style" book celebrating British Vogue's 100th anniversary.
April 2016: Cover Star and Book Feature
April 2016 featured Evangelista on the cover of Zoo Magazine's 50th issue and the book "Age of the Supermodel," showcasing Donna DeMari's photography.
May 2016: Lindbergh Photograph Auctioned
In May 2016, a 1988 photograph featuring Evangelista and five other models, captured by Peter Lindbergh, was sold at a Sotheby's auction.
September 2016: Harper's Bazaar Spread and Elephant Crisis Fund Campaign
September 2016 saw Evangelista style a photo spread for Harper's Bazaar and reunite with Turlington and Campbell for the Elephant Crisis Fund campaign.
November 2016: Erasa Skin Care Creative Director and Vice President
In November 2016, Evangelista took on a new role as Creative Director and Vice President of Erasa Skin Care.
July 2017: "$10,000 a Day" Quote Remains Relevant
As late as July 2017, Evangelista's famous quote about not waking up for less than $10,000 a day continued to be referenced in the media.
December 2018: Evangelista Diagnosed with Breast Cancer
Linda Evangelista was diagnosed with breast cancer in December 2018.
September 2021: Evangelista Explains Public Absence Due to Cosmetic Procedure Complications
In September 2021, Linda Evangelista revealed that she had been absent from public life due to complications from a cosmetic procedure, cryolipolysis, which had the opposite of its intended effect.
July 2022: Evangelista Settles Lawsuit with CoolSculpting
In July 2022, Evangelista settled a lawsuit she had filed against CoolSculpting's parent company, Zeltiq Aesthetics, over complications from a cosmetic procedure.
2022: Evangelista's Breast Cancer Returns
In 2022, Linda Evangelista experienced a recurrence of breast cancer, this time in her pectoral muscle.
September 20, 2023: The Super Models Docuseries Premiere
September 20, 2023 marked the premiere of "The Super Models," a four-part Apple TV+ docuseries featuring Evangelista, Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell, and Christy Turlington.
2023: Value of Famous Quote in 2023
By 2023, Linda Evangelista's famous quote about not waking up for less than $10,000 a day had an equivalent value of $23,000, reflecting its lasting impact and timelessness in modelling history.
2023: Evangelista Publicly Reveals Cancer Battles
In 2023, Linda Evangelista chose to share her experiences with breast cancer publicly.