yesterday's muse special edition - georgia hamilton revealed

photographed by Nina Leen for Life Magazine, 1948

if you're familiar with my Yesterday's Muse series, you may remember my post on model Georgia Hamilton [here], in which i revealed very little biographical information, as i was unable to find any on the internet. much to my surprise and delight, i recently received an email from Georgia's son, which i am so pleased to share with you now...

Hi -

I want to thank you for recognizing my mother, Georgia Hamilton, and giving you a little bit of her background.She was born in California in 1925, and after the death of her mother at 2, her father moved the family back east. The family moved a lot during the depression finally settling in Tenafly, NJ, where she graduated high school in 1944. She started modeling not long after that, which is how she met my father, photographer Steve Elliot, and they were married in 1946. Steve and his brother Mike started the television commercial production house EUE along with partner Bill Unger, and were one of the first people to produce television ads. Steve and Georgia had four children, three boys and a girl, and divorced in 1964.

Georgia's big break came with the Life cover, which accelerated her career and made her one of the top models of her era. She was a favorite of Richard Avedon and Harper's Bazaar, and graced their covers as well as several other magazines of the time.She was one of Eileen and Jerry Ford's first models, and it was there that she encouraged Mary Jane Russell, who was the receptionist at Fords', to do modeling as well, according to her husband, Ed. They remained close friends long after their careers ended in the early 60s. Georgia had a second career later as a designer and builder of homes in the Hamptons, and died in Southampton in 1995.

Again thank you for bringing her to attention of your followers. I've forwarded it to friends and family.

Best

Steve

thank you so much Steve!