| American fashion model of the late 70s - early 80s Date of Birth: 29.01.1960 Country: USA |
Gia Carangi was an American fashion model of the late 1970s and early 1980s. She is considered one of the first supermodels, with her modeling fees reaching up to $10,000. Carangi was known for her striking resemblance to model Janice Dickinson and often referred to as "Baby Gia."
Gia Carangi was born on January 29, 1960, in a suburb of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was the daughter of Italian-American Joe Carangi and Irish/Welsh-American Kathleen Carangi. Her father owned a small chain of sandwich shops, and her mother took care of her upbringing. When Gia was eleven years old, her mother left the family, leaving her with a lack of attention from her parents.
At the age of seventeen, Carangi moved to New York City, where she quickly found success as a model. She came under the wing of former model Wilhelmina Cooper, who owned a modeling agency. Within a few months, Carangi became one of the most sought-after models of the time.
Carangi's career took off after working with renowned photographers such as Arthur Elgort, Francesco Scavullo, and Richard Avedon. She became famous not only for her stunning looks but also for her ability to portray different roles, from innocent to seductive.
In October 1978, Carangi posed for a controversial photoshoot for Vogue, where she appeared partially nude behind a fence. This photoshoot caused a scandal at the time. By the end of 1978, she appeared in several magazines, including American Vogue. In 1979, she graced the covers of British Vogue, French Vogue, and American Vogue, as well as twice on the cover of American Cosmopolitan. Her second Cosmopolitan cover, in which she wore a Greek-style yellow bikini, is considered the highlight of her career.
Despite her popularity and wealth, Carangi's personal life was plagued with loneliness and drug addiction. She began using cocaine for relaxation and later switched to heroin after the death of her mentor, Wilhelmina Cooper. Her addiction led to missed photo shoots and eventually the end of her modeling career.
In the spring of 1982, Carangi attempted to make a comeback by changing modeling agencies, but her erratic behavior and drug use hindered her success. By 1983, she was caught using drugs during a photoshoot in North Africa, effectively ending her modeling career.
Carangi's personal life was marked by her lesbian relationships. She openly acknowledged her preference for women and often sent flowers and poems to her female acquaintances.
After her modeling career ended, Carangi struggled with her addiction and lived in Atlantic City with her girlfriend, Rochelle. Her health rapidly declined, and she was diagnosed with AIDS in 1986. Carangi passed away six months later in a Philadelphia hospital.
Despite her short-lived career, Gia Carangi's impact on the modeling industry is immeasurable. She paved the way for future supermodels and left a lasting legacy as one of the industry's first icons.