History of Linda Evangelista in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: April 24, 2025

Linda Evangelista is a highly influential Canadian fashion model, considered among the greatest of all time. She's graced over 700 magazine covers and is recognized as the long-time muse of photographer Steven Meisel. She's also known for her iconic quote: "We don't wake up for less than $10,000 a day."

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Full Timeline

1957: Father's Emigration

In 1957, Tomaso "Tom" Evangelista, Linda Evangelista's father, emigrated from Italy to Canada to work for General Motors.

May 10, 1965: Linda Evangelista Born

On May 10, 1965, Linda Evangelista was born in Canada. She later became one of the most accomplished and influential models of all time.

1981: Miss Teen Niagara Pageant

In 1981, Linda Evangelista participated in the Miss Teen Niagara beauty pageant. Although she did not win, she was noticed by a representative from Elite Model Management.

November 1984: First Major Fashion Magazine Cover

In November 1984, Linda Evangelista appeared on her first major fashion magazine cover for L'Officiel. This marked a significant step in her international high-fashion career.

1984: Signed with Elite Model Management

In 1984, Linda Evangelista's modeling career officially began when she signed with Elite Model Management. This happened after she moved from Canada to New York City.

1985: Work with Karl Lagerfeld Begins

In 1985, Linda Evangelista started working with Karl Lagerfeld, who was the head designer of the fashion house Chanel. She became his muse.

1986: Met Steven Meisel

In 1986, Linda Evangelista met photographer Steven Meisel. Their friendship led to many professional collaborations, and Evangelista became Meisel's muse.

1987: Versace Ad Campaign

In 1987, Linda Evangelista first appeared in an advertising campaign for Versace. This was an important step in her career.

1988: Haircut Suggestion

In 1988, photographer Peter Lindbergh suggested that Linda Evangelista cut her hair short, a move that would later influence her career.

1988: Short Haircut

In the autumn of 1988, after seeing Linda Evangelista try on a short wig, Peter Lindbergh suggested she cut her hair short. She got a gamine haircut from Julien d'Ys.

1989: "The Linda" Haircut

By the spring of 1989, Linda Evangelista's short haircut had become the look of the season. The haircut, called "The Linda", even inspired the creation of a wig called "The Evangelista".

January 1990: British Vogue Cover

In January 1990, Linda Evangelista, along with Christy Turlington, Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, and Tatjana Patitz, appeared on the cover of British Vogue, photographed by Peter Lindbergh. This cover "defined the supermodel era".

October 1990: "We don't wake up for less than $10,000 a day"

In October 1990, Linda Evangelista made the famous statement "We don't wake up for less than $10,000 a day" in an interview with Vogue. Also, in October 1990, Evangelista had her naturally brown hair dyed platinum blonde.

September 1991: Time Cover Story

In September 1991, Time featured a cover story on the supermodels, including Linda Evangelista, solidifying her status in the fashion world.

1991: Kenar Billboard Campaign

During the latter part of 1991, Linda Evangelista was featured on several billboards for the fashion brand Kenar in Times Square, as part of Ads Against AIDS. One billboard was controversial for its depiction of Italian women.

April 1992: Vogue 100th Anniversary Cover

In April 1992, Linda Evangelista and other supermodels appeared on the cover of Vogue's 100th anniversary issue, which became the magazine's highest-selling issue.

July 1992: Flare Magazine Cover

In July 1992, Linda Evangelista was on the cover of Canadian fashion magazine Flare, in an issue honoring Canada's 125 years as a nation.

September 1992: Harper's Bazaar Cover

In September 1992, Linda Evangelista's cover for Harper's Bazaar was released. It is now considered iconic.

1992: Kenar Billboard Campaign

Throughout 1992, Linda Evangelista was seen on Kenar billboards in Times Square, which were part of the Ads Against AIDS campaign.

1993: Australia Tour with Claudia Schiffer

In 1993, Linda Evangelista traveled to Australia with Claudia Schiffer for a 5-day tour as part of the grand opening of a department store. The tour included a news conference and a televised fashion show.

October 1994: Vogue Italia Cover

In October 1994, Linda Evangelista was one of several models on the cover of Vogue Italia's 30th anniversary issue.

1995: Endorsement deal with Clairol

In 1995, Linda Evangelista landed an endorsement deal with Clairol worth over $5 million. That same year, Garren of New York gave Evangelista an asymmetrical bob haircut similar to mod hairstyles of the 1960s.

1996: Lindbergh's Book

In 1996, Linda Evangelista was one of the ten subjects of Peter Lindbergh's book 10 Women, and she appeared on the cover.

1998: Retirement Decision

In 1998, Linda Evangelista chose to retire from modelling and settled on the French Riviera.

2005: Harper's Bazaar Cover Ranked

In 2005, Linda Evangelista's September 1992 cover for Harper's Bazaar was ranked #9 on the American Society of Magazine Editors' list of the "Top 40 Magazine Covers of the Last 40 Years".

2008: "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. This acknowledged her achievements as a model.

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