Linda Evangelista was one of the biggest stars during the "golden era of supermodels" in the 1990s. She began her modeling career in 1984. Her face, referred to as a "chameleon" by industry insiders, appeared on over seven hundred magazine covers. In the third episode of the four-part Apple TV+ documentary "The Super Models" Evangelista revealed that although her life during the peak of her career undoubtedly seemed joyful and glamorous, her relationship at the time was far from idyllic.
She was married to a modeling agency executive. Linda Evangelista spoke about her marriage to Gérald Marie
Evangelista married Gérald Marie in 1987. She was only 22, and he was 37. He was the head of the Paris office of Elite Model Management and was considered one of the most influential men in fashion at the time. Their marriage lasted five years, during which she rose to the status of a supermodel. However, it was also the most painful period of her life, as behind closed doors, a true nightmare was unfolding—one that Evangelista only dared to speak about years later. "It's easier said than done to leave an abusive relationship. I understand that concept because I experienced it myself. It wasn't a matter of simply saying, 'I want a divorce, goodbye.' It doesn’t work that way. He knew not to touch my face, not to touch the money-making machine, you understand?" she said through tears in the "The Super Models" documentary on Apple TV+.
Linda Evangelista’s ex-husband faced accusations. The model's shocking revelations
In 2021, Gérald Marie was accused of rape and sexual assault by at least 15 women, including American model Carré Otis and 90s supermodel Karen Mulder. In February 2023, French prosecutors announced they had closed the criminal investigation into the allegations against Evangelista's ex-husband because they had all allegedly taken place in the 1980s and 90s, which exceeded the statute of limitations in the country. "When I learned that he had hurt many women, that he had raped many women, it broke my heart. I had never told my story because I was afraid. Thanks to the strength of all those women who came forward—God bless them—I now have the courage to speak. I wish justice would be served. I want men like him to think twice and be afraid. And I want women to know they are not alone," she said in the documentary.
Gérald Marie maintains his innocence, categorically denying the allegations and claiming that he "never committed the slightest act of violence" and that these women are "trying to make him a scapegoat for a system, for an era that has ended".
