Vera Gottlieb von Lehndorff

Vera Gottlieb von Lehndorff Bio

May 14, 1939 / Taurus / Age 84

Vera Gottlieb von Lehndorff is a German-born model, actress, and artist. She was born under the sign of Taurus on May 14, 1939 in Konigsberg, Germany. Her birth name is Vera Gottliebe Anna Grafin von Lehndorff-Steinort. She is also known in the industry as Veruschka.

Vera Gottlieb von Lehndorff captivated audiences as a featured model in the January 1971 edition of Playboy. Her measurements are 36-25-37. Vera Gottlieb von Lehndorff has natural breasts, sparkling blue eyes, and luminous blond hair.

Veruschka, often hailed as the "pioneer of German supermodels," has a remarkable life story. She is the daughter of Heinrich Graf von Lehndorff-Steinort, a prominent figure in the German Resistance. Her journey into the world of modeling began after she pursued art studies in Hamburg, eventually relocating to Florence, Italy. It was in Florence that her modeling career took flight when she was discovered by renowned photographer Ugo Mulas at the age of 20.

During her early days, tall models were not favored in Paris, but destiny had other plans. Veruschka crossed paths with Eileen Ford, the influential head of the prestigious Ford Modeling Agency. In 1961, she made the bold move to New York City, but initial success proved elusive. To stand out in a competitive industry, she returned to Munich and assumed a mysterious persona, claiming Russian heritage and adopting a new name. This clever reinvention significantly boosted her booking rate.

Veruschka's breakthrough moment occurred in 1966 when she made a brief yet unforgettable appearance in Michelangelo Antonioni's cult film "Blowup." Her scene, despite its absence of nudity, was hailed as the sexiest in film history by Premiere magazine.

During the same period, she embarked on a groundbreaking journey, donning nothing but body paint for a series of iconic photoshoots. Collaborations with notable figures like Salvador Dali and photographer Peter Beard took her to Kenya, where she transformed herself into surreal plants and animals using black shoe polish to "go native."

At the pinnacle of her career, Veruschka commanded a staggering fee of up to $10,000 per day. However, in 1975, she parted ways with the fashion industry due to creative differences with Grace Mirabella, the newly appointed editor-in-chief of Vogue. Mirabella sought to alter her image to make it more relatable to the average woman.

In 1985, Veruschka transitioned into the world of art, captivating audiences with body-painting exhibitions in Tribeca. These transformative performances featured her adorned with various outfits, morphing into wild animals and diverse archetypes, including film stars, dandies, gangsters, and intriguing characters.

While she occasionally graces the catwalks, such as her guest appearance at the Melbourne Fashion Festival in 2000, Veruschka has continued to make an indelible mark on the world of art and fashion. Additionally, she is noted for her vegetarian lifestyle, aligning with her unique and unconventional journey through life.