Wilhelmina Modeling Agency was founded by the Model Wilhelmina Cooper together with Husband Bruce Cooper in 1967, New York City.
Wilhelmina herself was born May 1st, 1939 in Culemborg, Netherlands. When her parents and her moved to Chicago in 1954, Wilhelmina became a famous Model through-out the 1950’s and 1960’s. Wilhelmina was represented by Ford Models at the time of her Modeling Career and became a success. She has topped the record of being on the cover of American Vogue. She worked a lot with cover Girl and was an important and popular face for this time.
She met her Husband Bruce Cooper, the former executive producer of The Tonight Show in 1965 and together they created Wilhelmina Models that became almost as big as Ford models itself.
Wilhelmina Models were the first to represent an African American Super Model named Naomi Sims who despite difficulties ended up earning $1000 USD a week.
Wilhelmina also represented Gia Carangi, known from the movie starring Angelina Jolie; Gia.
Gia Carangi died from AIDS and has been a very loved Model, due to her very intriguing personality and the way she chose to live as a Super Model.
Wilhelmina Models was bought by Horst-Dieter Esch for $5 million USD and his daughter Natasha Esch eventually became the President of the Agency.
Today, Wilhelmina Models has an office in New York City, Los Angeles and Miami.
