The story of Evangelista’s career is a study in contrasts. From dominating hundreds of magazine covers to filing a $50 million lawsuit, her journey reflects both the heights of fame and the serious risks associated with cosmetic treatments. As of 2025, she is once again posing for major campaigns and granting interviews.
This report provides a factual update on her current status, the details of her legal battle, her family life, and the lingering questions about her future in modeling.
What Happened to Linda Evangelista? The CoolSculpting Lawsuit and Aftermath
- Linda Evangelista made a high-profile return to modeling in 2022 with a Fendi campaign.
- She settled her CoolSculpting lawsuit against Zeltiq Aesthetics in July 2022.
- The terms of the settlement were not disclosed to the public.
- In 2025, she told Harper’s Bazaar she is focusing on her “next chapter”.
- Evangelista has stated she still struggles with the emotional aftermath of the procedure.
- Her son, Augustin James Evangelista, left for college in 2025.
- A reliable, source-grounded net worth for 2025 or 2026 is not currently available from major outlets.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 1965 | Born in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada. |
| Late 1980s-1990s | Rises to prominence as a top supermodel. |
| 2015-2016 | Undergoes CoolSculpting procedures. |
| 2021 | Files a $50 million lawsuit against Zeltiq Aesthetics. |
| 2022 | Settles the lawsuit; terms remain confidential. |
| 2022 | Returns to modeling with a Fendi campaign. |
| 2025 | Gives interviews discussing recovery and aging; her son leaves for college. |
| 2025 | Still reports discomfort with her appearance following the trauma. |
The Allegations of Disfigurement
In 2021, Evangelista publicly shared her experience with CoolSculpting, a non-surgical fat reduction treatment. According to reports from CNN and CBC, she claimed the procedure resulted in paradoxical adipose hyperplasia (PAH), a rare side effect where the fat cells increase rather than decrease. Evangelista stated this left her looking “unrecognizable” and triggered a period of deep depression.
The federal lawsuit, filed in New York, sought $50 million in damages. Evangelista alleged the procedure made it impossible for her to work as a model and caused her to become a recluse. She stated that instead of helping, the treatment permanently altered her body.
The Lawsuit Outcome
The case was resolved in July 2022. Evangelista announced the settlement on social media, stating, “I am glad to put this matter behind me.” As reported by Los Angeles Times, the terms of the settlement were not disclosed. This means that while the legal dispute is over, the public does not know whether Zeltiq Aesthetics admitted liability or the amount of any financial compensation.
While the lawsuit was settled, there is no public admission of fault by the manufacturer, and the financial details remain sealed.
Where Is Linda Evangelista Now? Her Life in 2025 and 2026
Linda Evangelista is currently living in New York City. She has described her current phase of life as one of openness, contrasting sharply with the years she spent in hiding after the CoolSculpting incident. She is engaging with the fashion world on her own terms.
In 2025, she sat for a major interview with Harper’s Bazaar, covered by USA Today. In the interview, she discussed the challenges of aging publicly and her evolving perspective on beauty. She acknowledged that while she is working again, she is not fully at peace with her reflection.
A report from People in 2025 indicated that Evangelista still avoids looking at herself in the mirror due to the trauma associated with the treatment. This suggests that while her career is restarting, the personal recovery is an ongoing process.
Is She Modeling Again?
Yes. Her return to professional modeling became visible in 2022 when she appeared in a campaign for Fendi. This was reported as a significant step back into the industry. According to USA Today, her return was framed as “the next chapter” of her life. She said she was ready to work again after years of seclusion.
Evangelista has returned to selective modeling work since 2022.
Who Is Linda Evangelista’s Son? Her Personal Life and Family
Linda Evangelista has one son, Augustin James Evangelista. He is a key part of her personal narrative, especially in recent years as he has grown into adulthood. She has spoken about how motherhood changed her life.
In her 2025 interviews, Evangelista shared that her son was preparing to leave for college. This transition has made her an “empty nester,” a significant life shift she discussed openly. She has generally kept details of his life private, but has acknowledged his role in her decision to re-engage with the world.
Relationship History
Evangelista has been linked to several high-profile figures, including French footballer Fabien Barthez and actor Kyle MacLachlan. She was previously married to Elite Model Management director Gerald Marie. She has not publicly commented on her current relationship status in detail, but has spoken about a philosophy of prioritizing her independence and her son.
Her son’s father is François-Henri Pinault, though she has raised Augustin largely away from the media spotlight. She has previously stated that being a single mother was a deliberate and fulfilling choice.
What Was Linda Evangelista Like When She Was Young? A Look at Her Rise to Fame
In her youth, Evangelista was part of the original wave of supermodels that included Naomi Campbell, Christy Turlington, and Cindy Crawford. She was known for her chameleon-like ability to change her look, her sharp bob haircut, and her willingness to experiment with fashion.
Born in St. Catharines, Ontario, she was discovered as a teenager. Her career took off in the late 1980s and exploded in the 1990s. She famously once said, “We don’t wake up for less than $10,000 a day,” a quote that came to define the supermodel era.
She accumulated over 700 magazine covers throughout her career. She was a muse for major designers including Chanel, Versace, and Karl Lagerfeld. Her influence extended beyond print to music videos; she notably appeared in George Michael’s “Freedom! ’90” video. While she appeared in films, such as Prêt-à-Porter, her primary legacy is in modeling.
What Is Linda Evangelista’s Net Worth in 2025?
It is important to note that no reliable, source-grounded net worth for Linda Evangelista in 2025 or 2026 is available from the provided research results. Most search results focus on her lawsuit, her comeback, and her career history rather than providing a current, verified financial estimate.
Many online sources speculate on figures, but these numbers cannot be confirmed through the provided materials. Her major sources of income historically included modeling contracts, brand endorsements, and campaign fees from brands like Chanel. The financial impact of her years away from the industry and the settlement from the CoolSculpting lawsuit remain private.
Timeline: Key Events in Linda Evangelista’s Life
- 1965: Born in St. Catharines, Ontario.
- 1990s: Reaches the peak of her modeling career, appearing on hundreds of magazine covers.
- 2015-2016: Undergoes CoolSculpting procedures.
- September 2021: Files a $50 million lawsuit against Zeltiq Aesthetics for alleged disfigurement.
- July 2022: Announces the lawsuit has been settled; terms are not disclosed.
- September 2022: Models for Fendi, marking her official return to fashion.
- 2025: Gives extensive interviews discussing her recovery, aging, and her son leaving for college.
What Is Certain and What Is Not Clear?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Evangelista filed a lawsuit about CoolSculpting. | The exact terms of the settlement. |
| She returned to modeling with a Fendi campaign in 2022. | How often she will model in the future. |
| She has a son named Augustin James Evangelista. | Details of her current financial net worth. |
| She has publicly spoken about emotional distress. | Whether she will undergo further corrective procedures. |
Context: What Does the Return Mean for the Industry?
Evangelista’s re-entry into fashion challenges the industry’s traditional views on age and beauty. Her willingness to return after a very public battle with a cosmetic procedure has been seen by some as a powerful statement. She is once again working with major brands, signaling that her star power remains intact despite the years of absence.
Her story also serves as a high-profile case study on the risks of cosmetic treatments, particularly the rare side effects of procedures often marketed as safe. Her public disclosure of her experience has brought wider attention to PAH and the lack of immediate recourse for patients who experience adverse outcomes.
Sources and Quotes
“I’m done with hiding. I’m ready to live again.”
— Linda Evangelista, as reported in multiple 2025 outlets discussing her return.
“I loved being a model. I still love it. It just… it was taken from me.”
— Linda Evangelista, reflecting on the aftermath of the procedure.
Summary: What Is the Current Picture?
Linda Evangelista is alive, active, and slowly returning to the fashion world after a traumatic experience with a cosmetic procedure. She settled her lawsuit in 2022 and has since worked on a selective basis. She remains publicly candid about the ongoing difficulty of living with the physical changes, but she is embracing a new chapter that includes work, family, and a willingness to be seen again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Linda Evangelista still alive?
Yes, Linda Evangelista is alive and active in the public eye.
Does Linda Evangelista have a child?
Yes, she has one son named Augustin James Evangelista.
Did Linda Evangelista win her lawsuit?
The case was settled out of court; no court ruling was made. The settlement terms were confidential.
How many magazine covers has Linda Evangelista been on?
She has appeared on over 700 magazine covers throughout her career.
What did Linda Evangelista look like before?
She was one of the most recognizable faces of the 1990s, known for her sharp features and versatile look.
Why did Linda Evangelista stop modeling?
She stepped away from modeling after a CoolSculpting procedure left her with a condition she described as disfiguring.
Is Linda Evangelista modeling again in 2025?
Yes, she has been doing selective modeling and campaigns since 2022.
What is Linda Evangelista’s son’s name?
Her son’s name is Augustin James Evangelista.
What was the lawsuit about?
It was about a CoolSculpting procedure that allegedly caused a rare side effect resulting in physical disfigurement.
Where is Linda Evangelista now?
She is based in New York and is working again in the fashion industry.
Freddie Arthur Cooper Harrison is Editor-in-Chief of PopCulture UK, covering film, TV, music and celebrity news. He is accountable for the newsroom's editorial standards, and leads its sourcing and fact-checking process so that every article separates verified fact from rumour and is reviewed before publication.