Margaux Louise Hemingway was an American fashion model and actress. She gained success as a supermodel in the 1970s, appearing on the covers of magazines including Cosmopolitan, Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, Vogue, and Time. She signed a million-dollar contract with Fabergé Inc. as the spokesmodel for Babe perfume.

Related post: She has tried to kill herself multiple times.

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Margaux Hemingway, the granddaughter of the legendary writer Ernest Hemingway, was a star whose life story encapsulates the classic elements of both fairy tale and tragedy. Born Margot Louise Hemingway on February 16, 1954, in Portland, Oregon, she was destined to face both the blessings and the burdens of her famous surname. With her striking looks and towering height, Margaux quickly found fame as a fashion model, becoming one of the first supermodels to secure a million-dollar contract for a fragrance ad campaign with Fabergé’s Babe perfume in the 1970s.

Rise to Stardom

Margaux’s career took off rapidly. Her all-American beauty, marked by her blonde hair and broad smile, made her an instant hit in the fashion industry. She graced the covers of major magazines, including Elle, Vogue, and Harper’s Bazaar. Her presence on the runway and in print captured the essence of the glamorous yet tumultuous 1970s.

Beyond modeling, Margaux tried her hand at acting, debuting in the film “Lipstick” (1976) alongside her younger sister, Mariel Hemingway. The film was controversial and received poor reviews, but it opened more doors for her in the entertainment industry. Despite her efforts, her acting career never reached the same heights as her modeling feats.

Personal Struggles

Behind the glitz and glamour, Margaux’s life was marred by personal struggles. She battled with alcohol and drug addiction, which were exacerbated by the immense pressure and scrutiny that came with her public and professional life. The Hemingway legacy of depression and mental illness — a dark thread that ran through her family history — also deeply affected her.

Margaux’s public persona was that of a vibrant and successful model and actress, but privately she faced a series of challenges, including a turbulent marriage to filmmaker Errol Wetson, which ended in divorce. Her career began to decline in the 1980s as personal issues increasingly overshadowed her professional achievements.

Tragic End

On July 1, 1996, Margaux Hemingway was found dead in her Santa Monica apartment at the age of 42. Her death was ruled a suicide due to a phenobarbital overdose, which eerily mirrored the tragic end of her grandfather, who had taken his own life in 1961. Her death marked a poignant end to a life that, while full of potential, was often troubled by the weight of her family’s legacy and her own internal battles.

Hemingway curse:

  1. Ernest Hemingway (1899–1961): The renowned author himself, who battled with depression and other health issues exacerbated by alcoholism and head injuries, died by suicide with a shotgun in 1961.
  2. Clarence Hemingway (1871–1928): Ernest’s father, who suffered from diabetes and possibly depression, died by suicide with a revolver in 1928.
  3. Ursula Hemingway (1902–1966): Ernest’s younger sister, who also took her own life with an overdose of barbiturates.
  4. Leicester Hemingway (1915–1982): Ernest’s younger brother, who faced financial difficulties and health problems, died by suicide with a self-inflicted gunshot.
  5. Margaux Hemingway (1954–1996): Ernest’s granddaughter, a celebrated model and actress, struggled with substance abuse and bipolar disorder; she died from a phenobarbital overdose in what was ruled a suicide.
  6. Gregory Hemingway (1931–2001): Ernest’s youngest son, who dealt with gender identity issues and mental health struggles, died of hypertension and cardiovascular disease under complex circumstances in a women’s detention center. While not a suicide, his troubled life and death are often mentioned in discussions of the family’s tragic legacy.

These tragic deaths have contributed to the mythology around the “Hemingway Curse,” reflecting the recurring themes of mental illness and suicide in the family.