Daphne Selfe has died at the age of 97. Having started his career in 1949, she was the world's oldest model. She achieved that feat, which has been recognized by the Guinness World Records, when she came back to work during her 70s.
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"It's very sad," Daphne's agent, Chantal Murray, told the Daily Mail. "She was absolutely incredible, she was such a joy to work with, she was just so inspirational, and she was a very kind person, too."
Throughout her career, Daphne was always viewed as one of the top models of her generation. However, it was her later-life comeback that truly catapulted her to legendary status. That comeback began in 1998, when Daphne was 70 years old.
She had lost her husband, Jim, to a stroke the year prior. So, when the call came from Red or Dead for London Fashion Week in 1998, she decided, "It was something to do," because "she thought it might stop me moping."
"She was met with a standing ovation," The New York Times reported. "Then, on the recommendation of a stylist, she was featured in a British Vogue article on aging in 1998. Nick Knight, the renowned fashion photographer, did the shoot, which led to Ms. Selfe being signed later that year by Models 1, the London agency that represented Twiggy and Linda Evangelista."
Daphne Selfe Modeled for Some of the Biggest Brands in Fashion
After re-launching her career, Daphne found herself working with some of the biggest brands in world fashion. The trailblazing model worked on campaigns with Dolce & Gabbana and British Vogue.
Daphne also did some work with Nivea, Gap and Primark.
"You don't have to be that young, you can be whatever age now," she once said, via The Daily Mail. "I'm still managing to go at 90, so why not? If you've got the experience and the know-how you can do anything."
If you're wondering how Daphne still managed to work at such a late age, she often spoke about the importance of taking care of your health. She was known to have practiced Yoga, Pilates and even ballet deep into her life.
Currently, there is no information regarding Daphen's impending funeral. Those details will likely remain private, specifically for family and close friends.
