Linda Evangelista: From 90s Beauty to Inner Strength and Self-Acceptance

The model whose name was synonymous with elegance and unmatched style, Linda Evangelista, remained a global fashion icon for decades.

The model whose name was synonymous with elegance and unmatched style, Linda Evangelista, remained a global fashion icon for decades. Her famous line, "I won't get out of bed for less than $10,000," became a symbol of success and self-confidence. However, over the years, Linda has become a symbol not just of beauty, but also of incredible inner strength.

In an April interview for Harper's Bazaar, 59-year-old Linda opened up about the difficult trials that changed her life. She was known to millions under the spotlight and in front of the cameras, but today she candidly shares her personal battle.

In 2021, Linda made a confession that shocked her fans: after undergoing cryolipolysis, a procedure for reducing subcutaneous fat, her body and face underwent rare and irreversible changes. Instead of the promised effect — painless fat loss — she experienced "painful bumps" that drastically altered her appearance. The model claims she lost herself, and her face no longer looked like her own.

"I didn't want to look at myself in the mirror. I didn't love myself, I didn't like myself," Linda admitted. These words not only shock us but also make us realize that even incredibly successful people like her face personal demons. Even Linda Evangelista, who conquered the world, was on the brink of destruction due to how her appearance changed after the failed procedure.

Linda's confession that she could no longer look at herself in the mirror did not go unnoticed. This revelation is not only about her appearance but also about how important it is to learn to love yourself despite the loss of the physical ideal. She admits that despite successful attempts to correct the aftermath with two surgeries, she could not regain her former appearance.

What’s surprising is how her attitude toward life and aging has changed. "I don't care how I age; it doesn't have to be graceful. I just want to age — and I don't want to die," says Linda, finding strength in acceptance. Today, she is no longer concerned about how she looks and values the opportunity to live and be happy, regardless of what the mirror shows.

Linda reminds us of the importance of letting go of the perfection that society imposes. We are all different, and often true happiness lies in simply accepting ourselves.

Linda’s journey is not limited to her battle with appearance. In the interview, she also shares how her inner transformation has evolved. The model confesses that during her career’s peak, she was never called beautiful. "People told me my hair looked great, my legs were good, but no one ever said to me, 'Linda, you are beautiful,'" she recalls.

Now, when she looks back, she recognizes the importance of acknowledging beauty in people. She teaches her son Augustin how important inner beauty is and often reminds him of how beautiful he is. Perhaps this wisdom came with the years — with the experiences and life challenges that Linda has gone through.