Wilhelmina Cooper facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Wilhelmina Cooper
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Cooper photographed by Edgar de Evia around the 1960s
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| Born |
Wilhelmina Gertrud Frieda Behmenburg
11 May 1939 Culemborg, Gelderland, Netherlands
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| Died | 1 March 1980 (aged 40) Greenwich, Connecticut, U.S.
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| Other names | Winnie Hart |
| Spouse(s) |
Bruce Cooper
(m. 1965) |
| Children | 2 |
| Modeling information | |
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) |
| Hair color | Dark brown |
| Eye color | Brown |
Wilhelmina Gertrud Frieda Cooper (born Behmenburg; 11 May 1939 – 1 March 1980) was a famous Dutch-American model. She started her career with Ford Models. At the height of her success, she created her own modeling agency, Wilhelmina Models, in New York City in 1967.
Contents
Early Life and Dreams
Wilhelmina Gertrud Frieda Behmenburg was born on May 11, 1939, in Culemborg, Netherlands. Her father, Wilhelm Robert Karl Behmenburg, was a butcher, and her mother was Klasina van der Straten.
Her family moved to Utrecht in 1942 and then to Oldenburg, Germany, after World War II. In 1954, her family moved to Chicago, Illinois, in the United States.
In Chicago, Wilhelmina became very interested in fashion magazines. She loved reading them and learning about the beautiful models. She once said that she would even buy old magazines to read every word and look at every picture of her new idols.
Starting Her Modeling Journey
In 1956, Wilhelmina borrowed money from her father to attend modeling school. She used the stage name Winnie Hart. After graduating from high school in 1958, she joined the Models Bureau.
In 1959, a talent scout named Patricia Stevens saw Wilhelmina at a trade show. She told Wilhelmina that she needed to make some changes to become a successful model. Wilhelmina then traveled to New York, where Eileen Ford of the Ford Modeling Agency also gave her advice before she went to Paris.
Wilhelmina worked very hard to meet the high standards of the modeling world. She focused on her goals with great determination. She once shared that she was always on strict plans to stay in shape for her career.
A Top Model's Career
Wilhelmina spent a year in Paris, where she appeared on the cover of L'Officiel magazine in December 1960. After returning to the U.S., she became one of the most famous models of the 1960s.
During her career, Wilhelmina appeared on the cover of 255 magazines! She also modeled in many different countries, including South America, India, Hong Kong, and various parts of Europe. In France, she worked for famous designers like Coco Chanel and Christian Dior. She holds the record for appearing on the most covers of American Vogue magazine, with 27 or 28 covers. At her busiest, Wilhelmina earned a lot of money each year.
In 1964, the New York Journal American newspaper featured Wilhelmina as a top model. Her career was also highlighted in a Chicago Sun-Times article.
According to Time magazine, Wilhelmina was known for her classic and elegant look. She was tall and had beautiful features, which helped define the style of the 1950s and 1960s.
Founding Wilhelmina Models
On February 5, 1965, Wilhelmina married Victor Bruce Cooper. He was a producer for The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. They had two children, Melissa and Jason.
In 1967, Wilhelmina and Bruce Cooper started their own company, Wilhelmina Models. This agency quickly became one of the top modeling agencies, competing with Ford Models.
Later Life and Legacy
Wilhelmina Cooper passed away on March 1, 1980, at the age of 40, in Greenwich Hospital, Greenwich, Connecticut.
Wilhelmina Cooper left a lasting mark on the fashion world. Her agency, Wilhelmina Models, continues to be a major player in the industry, helping new models achieve their dreams.
See also
In Spanish: Wilhelmina Cooper para niños
