Eileen Ford, who co-founded Ford Models with her husband in 1946 and helped launch the careers of supermodels like Lauren Hutton, Christy Turlington, Naomi Campbell, and Rachel Hunter, died at the age of 92 on July 9 in New York City, Ford Models confirmed to Us Weekly in a statement.
"Eileen Ford was an industry icon and pioneer and everyone in the Ford Models family will miss her dearly," the statement read. "Eileen’s contributions to the modeling and fashion industries are unmatched. She founded Ford Models 68 years ago and due to her unwavering passion, curiosity and drive, grew Ford into one of the world’s most prestigious agencies. We are incredibly proud and grateful for her revolutionary spirit and the values she instilled in Ford Models."
Hunter, who began her career with Ford, tweeted after hearing the news of her death on July 10, "Rip Eileen Ford. I'm incredibly sad. You changed my life! Strong loving industry pioneer! Love, thoughts & Prayers to all the Family."
Beverly Johnson also took to Twitter to mourn Ford's loss, tweeting at fellow models and friends Cheryl Tiegs and Kathy Ireland, "Eileen Ford of the great Ford Modeling Agency passed yesterday..The Ford Agency was my first agent.. @CherylTiegs @kathyireland."
Tiegs then tweeted: "RIP #EileenFord @BeverlyJohnson1 @kathyireland So sad."
Ford also represented and trained actress-models like Suzy Parker, Jean Shrimpton, Ali MacGraw, Margaux Hemingway, Sharon Stone, Christie Brinkley, Jerry Hall, Melanie Griffith, Kim Basinger and Brooke Shields.
Ford is survived by her four children Katie, Jamie, Gerard William Ford Jr. and Lacey. Jerry Ford, Eileen’s husband, died in 2008.
