Net Worth Ranker
What Is Linda Evangelista’s Net Worth?
Linda Evangelista, a Canadian supermodel who achieved immense fame in the 1990s, has accumulated a significant net worth of $40 million. Her financial success is largely attributed to her prolific career as a model, gracing the covers of over 700 magazines and becoming a muse for renowned photographer Steven Meisel.
Earnings and Career Highlights Contributing to Linda Evangelista’s Net Worth
Evangelista’s career began in 1984 when she signed with Elite Model Management and moved to New York City, followed by a move to Paris. Her early success led to her first major magazine cover in November 1984 for L’Officiel. Subsequently, she appeared on numerous covers of magazines like Cosmopolitan, Glamour, Allure, Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Rolling Stone, Newsweek, and Elle.
In 1986, she started working with Karl Lagerfeld at Chanel, further solidifying her position in the fashion industry. She modeled for a variety of fashion brands, including Versace, Calvin Klein, Giorgio Armani, Yves Saint Laurent, Dolce & Gabbana, Jean Paul Gaultier, Donna Karan, and Oscar de la Renta. The collaboration with photographer Steven Meisel also commenced in 1986, cementing her status as a muse.
Linda Evangelista’s rise to supermodel status in 1989 was marked by a short haircut photographed by Peter Lindbergh, which initially received mixed reactions but eventually became a major fashion trend. This transformation cemented her position as one of the top five supermodels globally, alongside Christy Turlington, Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, and Tatjana Patitz, who appeared together on the cover of the January 1990 issue of British Vogue.
A defining moment in her career occurred in 1990 when she famously stated, “We don’t wake up for less than $10,000 a day,” reflecting the high demand and value placed on supermodels during that era. During the 1990s, Linda was one of the highest-paid and most-popular super models on the planet. She reportedly earned $25,000 per day. At her peak she regularly earned $5-8 million per year.
Further bolstering her earnings, Evangelista secured a multi-year deal with Clairol in 1994, which paid her $5 million per year. In 1996, she landed a $7.75 million contract with Yardley of London. These lucrative endorsements and contracts significantly contributed to her net worth. Her strategic career choices, combined with her ability to reinvent herself, have been crucial in sustaining her relevance and income over the years.
After retiring from modeling in 1998, Evangelista made a comeback in 2001, appearing on the cover of Vogue’s September issue. She then participated in Versace’s 2002 fall/winter collection ad campaign. In 2004, she was featured in ad campaigns for Fendi and NARS Cosmetics, and she walked the runway for Jean Paul Gaultier’s debut collection at Hermès. She became a brand ambassador for L’Oreal Paris and participated in campaigns for brands such as Prada, Talbots, Chanel, Loewe, and Moschino. These later career activities further supported her financial standing.
Real Estate and Assets: An Insight into Linda Evangelista’s Net Worth
Linda Evangelista’s real estate ventures have played a role in her financial portfolio. In 1997, she invested $5.7 million in a penthouse apartment located in a Manhattan building known as The Spears. This spacious 4,000-square-foot unit features four bedrooms and two bathrooms, providing a luxurious living space in New York City.
In May 2024, Evangelista listed this apartment for sale with an asking price of $9.45 million. This decision to sell indicates a potential shift in her investment strategy and offers insight into how she manages her assets. The potential profit from this sale would further enhance her net worth and provide additional capital for future investments.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born on May 10, 1965, in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada, Linda Evangelista is the second of three children born to working-class Italian immigrants. Her mother, Marisa, worked as a bookkeeper, while her father, Tomaso, was employed by General Motors. Growing up in a modest household, Evangelista’s early experiences instilled a strong work ethic and determination in her.
At the age of 12, Evangelista enrolled in a self-improvement course at a modeling school, indicating her early interest in the fashion industry. During her teenage years, she attended Denis Morris Catholic High School and began modeling at the local level. Her participation in the Miss Teen Niagara beauty pageant in 1981 brought her to the attention of a representative from Elite Model Management, setting the stage for her professional career. These early experiences shaped her path and contributed to her future success.
Personal Life and Activism
In 1987, Linda Evangelista married Gérald Marie, who was the head of the Paris office of Elite Model Management. However, their marriage ended in divorce in 1993. Following this, Evangelista dated actor Kyle MacLachlan, and they were engaged in 1995 before calling it off in 1998. She then had a relationship with French footballer Fabien Barthez. Evangelista became pregnant, but had a miscarriage six months into the pregnancy. She and Barthez broke up in 2000 before reuniting in 2001 and breaking up again in 2002. These relationships and personal events have been part of her public persona.
Evangelista then dated French billionaire François-Henri Pinault, with whom she had a son named Augustin in 2006. A highly publicized child support trial followed their breakup, which resulted in a settlement out of court. Linda sought $46,000 per month in child support. This legal battle and its resolution provide further context to her financial management and net worth.
Among her activist endeavors, Evangelista advocates for HIV/AIDS and breast cancer awareness and medical research. She also advocates for LGBTQ+ rights. Her involvement in these causes highlights her commitment to social issues and her use of her platform for advocacy.
