90s Supermodel Linda Evangelista Needs Prayers After Health Scares And Medical Issues

Sep 11, 2023

Linda Evangelista is one of the most renowned models of all time. She was at the forefront of negotiating better pay for models and making the profession as glamorous as it is today. The famous phrase, "We don't wake up for less than $10,000 a day," originated from her. Evangelista was an acclaimed member of The Trinity, a group of three most accomplished supermodels in the 90s that comprised Linda herself, Naomi Campbell, and Christy Turlington. Cindy Crawford and Claudia Schiffer — although sometimes Claudia was replaced by Tatjana Patitz — would later join the group and were branded as the five supermodels.

Evangelista pioneered many fashion trends in her days. Known as the longtime "muse" of photographer Steven Meisel, she heralded "The Linda" hairstyle. The haircut was Evangelista's signature short hair, which she got in 1988 upon the suggestion of photographer Peter Lindbergh after he saw her don a short wig. Although she initially faced resistance in the fashion industry, as 16 of her shows were canceled, the haircut would become an iconic style just a year later.

The iconic supermodel was also aptly nicknamed "Chameleon" for her ever-changing hair color and hairstyles. She is a big believer in the freedom of self-expression. 

"I'm very pro, as you all know, expressing yourself, and hair color is a great way to express yourself," she said in a video posted on British Vogue's YouTube on Sept. 3, 2023. "I hope that one day, I get inspired again and maybe fun again and do something."

Evangelista's reference to the future stemmed from her battle with cancer and Paradoxical adipose hyperplasia (PAH). She stayed out of the spotlight after that and, in an article published by the Wall Street Journal on Sept. 5, 2023, explained her prognosis. Keep reading for the details.

Evangelista has had a career many could only dream of. She has been featured on over 700 magazine covers and worked with several renowned fashion brands, including Gianfranco Ferré, Ralph Lauren, Yves Saint Laurent, Giorgio Armani, Thierry Mugler, Claude Montana, Jean Paul Gaultier, Alberta Ferretti, and Escada. However, her life has been far from absolutely glamorous. 

Her modeling career almost ended before it even began after an agency in Japan offered her a contract and asked her to strip. However, she was encouraged to try modeling again after two years, and her career picked up quickly. 

Evangelista also had a few failed relationships but got a beautiful gift from one of her romantic dalliances. In 2006, the supermodel welcomed her son, Augustin "Angie" James, whom she shares with businessman François-Henri Pinault, whom she dated between 2005 and 2006. 

Evangelista had a miscarriage in 1999, and although a battle for child support later took place, she couldn't be happier with the birth of her son. Per People, she once said, "I will have children in my life, of that I'm certain." 

The 58-year-old supermodel asked for $46,000 monthly in child support, which she claimed she spent on her son's bodyguards, a live-in nanny, and living expenses. However, Pinault's lawyer, David Aronson, claimed the amount was ridiculous. 

"We are not going to claim that he cannot pay a fair and reasonable child support," Aronson said. "But $46,000 a month would be just ridiculous."

However, Pinault promised, "I told her that I would recognize the baby ... and I will take my responsibility." The case was settled in 2012.

Although the mom of one wanted six children, she is content with Angie, who makes her happy and supports her through her struggles with cancer and PAH. 

Evangelista told the Wall Street Journal in an interview published on Sept. 5, 2023, that she had secretly battled cancer. She revealed that she received two cancer diagnoses in five years. The first one was detected in December 2018 during her annual mammogram.

She opted for a double mastectomy, vowing that cancer would not kill her. In July 2021, the cancer returned in her pectoral muscle. In addition to receiving chemotherapy and radiotherapy, she told the doctor to "dig a hole in my chest."

Although Evangelista knew it might still return, she chose to celebrate. "I know I have one foot in the grave, but I'm totally in celebration mode," she said but revealed that she kept the news to herself. 

"Only a handful of people knew. And I'm just not one of those people who has to share everything," she disclosed. 

Evangelista also had another battle to fight. A fat-reduction procedure called CoolSculpting, done to reduce fat, did the opposite and increased her fat cells. The bulging fat hardened, and despite two liposuctions to correct the condition known as PAH, nothing worked. 

"If I had known side effects may include losing your livelihood and you'll end up so depressed that you hate yourself, I wouldn't have taken that risk," she told British Vogue.

Evangelista later announced on Instagram that she had settled the $50 million lawsuit with Zeltiq Aesthetics without sharing the terms.

Meanwhile, she is done hiding and has begun to work again. She shared her first set of pictures since her PAH diagnosis with People and said:

"I loved being up on the catwalk. Now I dread running into someone I know. I can't live like this anymore, in hiding and shame. I just couldn't live in this pain any longer. I'm willing to finally speak."

What do you think of Linda Evangelista's decision to start working again? Which of her covers was your favorite? Let us know — and be sure to pass this on to friends, family, and fans of Linda Evangelista.