In this article, Suzy Parker became one of the earliest supermodels, rising to fame during the 1950s and 60s. She graced magazine covers, appeared in advertisements for major brands, appeared alongside some of Hollywood’s biggest stars in films and television shows, had beauty, fame and wealth all at the same time; but there was another side to her life which few knew about: suffering both physical and emotional pain due to failed marriages and relationships as well as addiction and depression; she died aged 70 leaving behind both triumph and tragedy as her legacy.
A Difficult Childhood
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Suzy Parker was born Cecilia Ann Renee Parker in Long Island City, New York on October 28, 1932. Her birth came as a shock to both of her parents who thought they were done having children; Suzy’s birth caused difficulty for Elizabeth during labor and delivery and Suzy was born without pulse or breath – an intern saved her by giving a hard slap that caused her to cry.
Suzy had an unhappy childhood. She often experienced asthma attacks, allergies, earaches and pneumonia; and felt ugly and unwanted as her classmates teased her mercilessly about being tall, big-boned with red-hair and freckles – being called names such as “carrot-top” or “monster”. Suzy’s father George (a strict Baptist) was distant and cold while her mother (an overprotective and controlling mother) overprotectively controlled. As a rebel against both of these parents she started smoking, drinking heavily and skipping school.
Dorian was her greatest source of love and beauty; as an accomplished model herself she served as an ideal role model to Suzy. Dorian introduced Suzy to fashion photography, helping her sign with Ford Modeling Agency at just 15 years old. Subsequently Suzy changed her name and dyed her hair brighter shades of red; becoming one of the industry’s highest paid models earning up to $100,000 per year.
A Supermodel and a Star
Suzy Parker revolutionized the modeling world with her unconventional looks and personality. She became one of the first models to sign with cosmetic company Revlon and appear on covers such as Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar and Life magazines; as well as modeling for iconic designers like Coco Chanel, Christian Dior and Balenciaga. Parker became known for her expressive face expressions, elegant poses, confident attitude and celebrity friendships including Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly and Marilyn Monroe.
Suzy Parker also took her sister Dorian’s advice and entered acting, following in her footsteps and appearing in several movies. Suzy made her film debut in 1957 in the musical comedy Funny Face as one of Audrey Hepburn and Fred Astaire’s models; subsequent films featured include Kiss Them for Me (1957), The Best of Everything (1959), Circle of Deception (1960) and Ten North Frederick (1958) plus television shows like Twilight Zone, Burke’s Law and The Fugitive where she worked alongside Alfred Hitchcock, Otto Preminger and John Huston; alongside co-stars such as Cary Grant, Gary Cooper and Paul Newman.
Suzy Parker was one of the pioneers to successfully transition from modeling to acting and achieve fame and recognition across both fields. Her feat earned her millions of fans while critics and peers applauded. Living the dream was certainly fulfilling; yet Suzy wasn’t fully content.
A Troubled Soul
Suzy Parker led an often turbulent personal life. Her first marriage, to Charles Staton a Navy officer whom she married when she was 17 years old in 1950; their divorce occurred two years later as soon as he began cheating on her. Pierre de la Salle a French journalist was next; their divorce occurred four years later due to abusive behaviour from Pierre himself; finally in 1963 she met Bradford Dillman an actor whom she married three children with, though their relationship deteriorated quickly and they separated several times before staying together until her death.
Suzy Parker had affairs with several of her co-stars, such as Cary Grant, Gary Cooper and Paul Newman. Suzy was particularly taken with Cary Grant who was 30 years older than she and married at the time to actress Betsy Drake; Suzy hoped he would leave Betsy Drake for her but when he eventually married actress Dyan Cannon and had a daughter together she felt betrayed and rejected; spiraling further into depression.
Suzy Parker also struggled with substance use disorder and mental health issues, including addiction and withdrawal symptoms. At an early age she began drinking and smoking regularly, before later becoming dependent on prescription sleeping pills and tranquilizers for anxiety, insomnia, mood swings, attempted suicide multiple times, was hospitalized due to overdoses or nervous breakdowns, developed anorexia which saw her shed weight rapidly, became isolated and distant, lost interest in both career and family, becoming isolated and eventually withdrawing completely – leading her to state that “I have everything a woman could want yet am still unhappy.”
A Quiet End
Suzy Parker retired from acting in 1970, moving with her family to Montecito, California. There she lived a more sequestered existence away from public view . she rarely gave interviews and turned down invitations to reunions and events; instead focusing on gardening, painting, reading and spiritual studies such as Buddhism and Hinduism as she worked through her addiction and depression while reconnecting with family. ultimately learning that true happiness lies within ourselves rather than being something external. She expressed this sentiment by declaring “I’ve learned happiness doesn’t exist somewhere outside; rather it lies within us.”
Suzy Parker passed away peacefully at age 70 from kidney failure, surrounded by her loving family members. After being cremated and scattered into the Pacific Ocean, Suzy left behind an legacy of beauty, talent, courage but also sadness, pain and tragedy; not just as an iconic model but as someone with whom we all identify deeply. she will always remain an icon to many people worldwide as the red-haired beauty who dazzled audiences worldwide with her red locks and beautiful face.
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