The first African American supermodel, Naomi Ruth Sims, has died of cancer.   The accomplished businesswoman and author died of cancer at the age of 61 in Newark, New Jersey.

By the age of 15, Sims was already 5 foot 10 inches tall.   She appeared on the November 1968 cover of Ladies Home Journal at the age of twenty.  It was the first time a black model had been featured on the cover of a high profile fashion magazine.  Sims paved the way for what has since been described as the start of the “black is beautiful” era.

Essence magazine said of her talent, “Never had a model so dark-skinned received so much exposure, praise, and professional prestige.”  She lent her elegance and regality to each project before moving on to other endeavors after a short five year modeling career.

Sims authored several books: All About Health and Beauty for the Black Woman, How to Be a Top Model and All About Success for the Black Woman.   She also had an weekly advice column in Right On! magazine for teenage girls.

Her marriage to Michael Findlay ended in divorce in 1991.  She is survived by a son, Bob Findlay.

View Naomi Sims photo gallery below.

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Filed under: Across the Nation, Models