Linda Evangelista is a Canadian supermodel who has an estimated net worth of $40 million. She was one of the most famous faces in the fashion industry during the 1990s and appeared on more than 700 magazine covers throughout her career.
Evangelista became a global fashion icon and was a longtime muse of photographer Steven Meisel. Although she stepped away from modeling in 1998, she returned to the industry in 2001 and continued working with major brands and magazines.
| Linda Evangelista Net Worth | $40 Million |
| Date of Birth | May 10, 1965 |
| Place of Birth | St. Catharines |
Early Life
Linda Evangelista was born on May 10, 1965, in St. Catharines. She is the second of three children born to Italian immigrant parents.
Her mother, Marisa, worked as a bookkeeper, while her father, Tomaso, worked for General Motors.
At age 12, she attended a modeling school to improve her confidence. As a teenager, she studied at Denis Morris Catholic High School and started modeling locally.
Her big break came in 1981 when she competed in the Miss Teen Niagara contest. A representative from Elite Model Management noticed her and later signed her.
Rise to Supermodel Fame
Linda Evangelista rose to prominence quickly after being discovered at a young age. She moved to New York City, where she began working with some of the biggest designers and photographers in fashion.
Her career took a major turn when she cut her hair short in the late 1980s. The bold style helped redefine her image and turned her into one of the most recognizable models in the world. During this period, she famously said, “We don’t wake up for less than $10,000 a day,” a quote that became legendary in the fashion industry.
Evangelista appeared on numerous covers of Vogue and worked closely with top designers such as Gianni Versace and Karl Lagerfeld.
Earnings During Her Peak
During the 1990s, Evangelista was among the highest-paid supermodels in the world.
- In the 1980s, she said she would not get out of bed for less than $10,000 a day.
- In the 1990s, her daily rate increased to about $25,000.
- At the height of her career, she reportedly earned between $5 million and $8 million per year.
She also signed major endorsement deals, including:
- A $5 million-per-year contract with Clairol in 1994
- A $7.75 million deal with Yardley of London in 1996
These deals helped significantly increase Linda Evangelista net worth.
Real Estate
In 1997, Evangelista purchased a penthouse apartment in Manhattan for $5.7 million. The property is located in a building called The Spears and measures around 4,000 square feet, featuring four bedrooms and two bathrooms.
In May 2024, she listed the luxury apartment for $9.45 million.
Early Modeling Career
After signing with Elite Model Management in 1984, Evangelista moved to New York and later to Paris, where she began building an international modeling career at just 19 years old.
Her first major magazine cover came in November 1984 for L’Officiel. She later appeared in numerous publications including Cosmopolitan, Glamour, Allure, Harper’s Bazaar, Rolling Stone, Newsweek, and Elle.
She also worked with major fashion brands such as:
- Chanel
- Calvin Klein
- Giorgio Armani
- Yves Saint Laurent
- Dolce & Gabbana
The Supermodel Era
Evangelista reached global fame in 1989 after cutting her hair into a short style that later became known as “The Linda.” The look quickly became a fashion trend.
She was also part of the legendary group of supermodels that included:
- Christy Turlington
- Naomi Campbell
- Cindy Crawford
- Tatjana Patitz
The group appeared together on the iconic January 1990 cover of British Vogue, which helped define the golden age of supermodels.
Evangelista later retired from modeling in 1998 and moved to the French Riviera.
Modeling Comeback
In 2001, Evangelista returned to the fashion world by appearing on the September issue of Vogue.
She later worked on campaigns for major brands including:
- Versace
- Prada
- Chanel
- Moschino
- L’Oréal Paris
Her return proved that she remained one of the most influential figures in fashion.
Personal Life
Evangelista married Gérald Marie in 1987, but the couple divorced in 1993.
She later dated actor Kyle MacLachlan and French footballer Fabien Barthez.
In 2006, she had a son named Augustin with French businessman François-Henri Pinault. Their separation led to a widely publicized child support case that was eventually settled out of court.
Outside modeling, Evangelista supports several causes, including HIV/AIDS awareness, breast cancer research, and LGBTQ+ rights.
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