Helena Christensen was born on December 25, 1968 in Copenhagen, Denmark. She grew up in the inner city of the capital, devoting much of her time to creative pursuits like drawing, painting, and sewing her own clothes. Though she came from a working class family, the streets of Copenhagen served as Helena’s playground, instilling in her a carefree spirit.
It was this lively energy that caught the eye of a modeling agent in 1986. While Helena was selling fruit and vegetables at a local flea market, she was approached and asked if she was interested in modeling. This chance encounter at the ripe age of 17 launched Helena’s career in the global fashion industry. Though hesitant at first, her distinct look and sophistication in front of the camera were undeniable.
Rise to Fame
Helena Christensen Young rose to fame in the late 1980s and early 1990s as one of the most successful models of her time. Known for her natural beauty, effortless style, and girl-next-door charm, Helena quickly became one of the most in-demand models, reaching supermodel status along with peers like Cindy Crawford, Claudia Schiffer, and Christy Turlington.
Helena got her big break when she won the Miss Universe Denmark title in 1986 at the age of 17. This launched her modeling career and led to her signing with Elite Model Management in Paris. Her star continued to rise as she graced the covers of numerous fashion magazines and walked the runways for fashion houses like Chanel, Versace, Valentino, and Galliano.
Helena’s career hit new heights in the early 1990s when she became one of the original supermodels. Her fame and status were cemented in 1991 when she appeared in the famous music video for George Michael’s song “Freedom! ’90” along with fellow supermodels Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, Christy Turlington and Linda Evangelista. Around the same time, Helena also began modeling for Victoria’s Secret, appearing in several of their catalogs, fashion shows and advertisements throughout the 1990s.
With her natural beauty, effortless poise, and girl-next-door likeability, Helena Christensen became one of the most successful and recognizable supermodels of the 1990s fashion world. Her meteoric rise to fame cemented her status as a modeling legend and pop culture icon.
Victoria’s Secret and Sports Illustrated
Helena Christensen became one of the original Victoria’s Secret Angels in 1997, joining other supermodels like Tyra Banks and Karen Mulder as the lingerie brand’s elite ambassadors. She appeared in numerous runway shows and catalogs for Victoria’s Secret over the years, showcasing the brand’s glamorous underwear and iconic angel wings.
Christensen also frequently appeared in the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue in the 1990s, including on the cover in 1997. Her appearances in Sports Illustrated wearing tiny bikinis helped redefine popular beauty standards. Whereas previous models tended to have more curvaceous figures, Christensen had an athletic, toned body type that appealed to a younger generation and aligned with emerging trends favoring thinness. Her unique look and natural beauty made her a fixture in these popular magazines and catalogs that shaped mainstream ideas of attractiveness and sex appeal.
Acting and Other Ventures
In addition to her modeling, Helena Christensen pursued various creative passions over the years. She appeared in several films, including a starring role in the 1997 thriller _Naked Begun_ and a part in the 2001 comedy _Zoolander_. Christensen also explored her musical talents, releasing a pop album called _Swimwear_ in 1998.
Beyond the arts, Christensen pursued other business ventures as well. She designed clothing lines for multiple brands, including Nylon magazine. Christensen also wrote and photographed several books, including 2003’s _This Is Me_ and 2006’s _In Your Eyes_. Her diverse talents and interests showcased her creativity beyond the camera lens.
Though acting and music never became Christensen’s primary focus, they allowed her to stretch her skills and expand her influence into new areas. Along with her clothing and book projects, these endeavors gave Christensen a platform to reach fans in various facets of entertainment and fashion. Even in supporting roles, her poise and beauty brought elegance to each new venture.
Photography Career
Helena Christensen’s interest in photography began at a young age. As a teenager in Denmark, she would borrow her mother’s camera and roam the streets of Copenhagen taking photographs. This passion continued as her modeling career took off in the late 1980s. During modeling shoots, Christensen would often pick up the camera herself when not in front of it, to start developing her own photographic eye.
Christensen pursued photography more seriously in the 1990s at the height of her fame. She was often drawn to intimate portraiture and nudes, bringing out the natural beauty of her subjects. Her photography career fully took off in the 2000s. She started getting her work featured in magazines and art shows around the world.
Known for her effortless elegance and sensual aesthetic, Christensen brought these qualities to her fine art photography. She published several well-received photography books over the years, including a collection of nudes entitled _Helena Christensen – TEN TIMES ROSSETTI’S WOMAN IN BLUE LEDA_ in 2013. Her photography exhibits continue to this day, showcasing her evocative black-and-white portraits and landscapes. Christensen remains recognized in the photography world for her distinctive intimate style and poetic sensibility behind the lens.
Humanitarian Work
Helena Christensen has a long history of humanitarian work, especially with UNICEF. She was appointed as a Goodwill Ambassador for the organization in 2004 and has traveled the world visiting UNICEF programs ever since. Her main focus is using her celebrity platform to advocate for women’s and children’s rights globally.
Christensen has visited impoverished areas in countries like Thailand, Kenya, Peru, and Tajikistan to witness UNICEF’s health, nutrition, education, and sanitation programs on the ground. She hopes that by sharing her experiences, it will inspire more support and awareness of issues impacting women and children worldwide. For example, after a trip to visit maternal health programs in Peru, Christensen spoke of the dangers of pregnancy and childbirth that many women face in developing nations due to lack of access to healthcare.
The model frequently participates in fundraising galas, events, and campaigns for UNICEF as well. Over the years, she has helped raise millions to support their mission to uphold the rights of every child. Christensen also uses her wide reach on social media to share messages about children in crisis around the world. Overall, she remains committed to leveraging her celebrity influence to be a passionate voice for the most vulnerable women and children globally through her extensive work with UNICEF.
Personal Life
Helena Christensen has largely kept her personal life private, away from the public spotlight. She was in a long-term relationship with INXS singer Michael Hutchence from 1991 to 1995. Though the two never married, Christensen has described Hutchence as her “great lost love.”
In 1999, Christensen began a relationship with American actor Norman Reedus. The two have a son together, Mingus Lucien Reedus, born in 1999. Though Christensen and Reedus split in 2003, they reportedly remain on good terms while co-parenting their son.
Christensen fiercely protects her private life, maintaining that her focus is on her family and close friends. She has shared little about her romantic relationships over the years, keeping that part of her life out of the public eye. Christensen continues to prioritize her role as a mother and values time spent with her son Mingus, who has grown into a photographer and artist much like his parents.
Though she keeps details private, Christensen has lived a rich life beyond her fame, filled with deep relationships. She remains grounded by her family, long-time friendships, and commitment to raising her son. Christensen has found fulfillment in activities separate from modeling and celebrity. Her life philosophies reflect a search for meaning, creativity, and joy found through inner resources.
Later Modeling Career
Even after turning 40, Helena Christensen continued modeling and walking major runways. She broke barriers by proving that models can still find success even as they get older.
In the 2000s and 2010s, Christensen expanded her modeling work into new areas. She became a global spokeswoman for Revlon cosmetics, appearing in advertisements and campaigns well into her 40s and 50s. This demonstrated that older models can still land major beauty contracts.
Christensen also walked the runway for high fashion labels including Chanel, Balmain, Lanvin, and Versace. Her presence showed that models can grace the catwalk even in their 40s and 50s. She helped lead a shift in the fashion world, paving the way for older models to have opportunities.
Though she started modeling in her teens, Christensen demonstrated incredible longevity. By continuing to model and land contracts as she aged, Christensen challenged the notion that models have a short career lifespan. She helped redefine modeling and the standard notion of “model age.”
Legacy and Influence
Helena Christensen’s profound influence and iconic status in the modeling world places her among the industry’s all-time greats. Her charismatic persona, versatile looks, and willingness to take creative risks made her a muse for top photographers and a favorite of designers. Beyond her striking beauty, Christensen also brought an artistic sensibility to modeling that paved the way for today’s fashion models to find success in other creative mediums.
Christensen is considered a trailblazer for proving that models can walk the runway and still pursue their own creative passions. Her remarkable photography career showed the industry that a model’s interests can extend far beyond the photo studio. Many models who came after Christensen have followed her lead by launching photography exhibits, clothing lines, writing books, and more.
As one of the original 1990s supermodels, Christensen’s diverse abilities made her a role model for younger models seeking longevity. Her career has spanned decades through reinvention and continuing to work with next-generation designers. Christensen brought modeling into the modern era, but has never lost her innate sense of glamour and timeless elegance. Her willingness to mentor and highlight fellow models has cemented her iconic status. Even today, over 30 years later, Christensen remains a source of inspiration.
Life Today
Helena Christensen continues to have an active career in modeling, photography, and humanitarian efforts. Though she got her start as a model over 30 years ago, Christensen still regularly walks the runway for major fashion brands and graces the pages of magazines like Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar.
In 2017, she was named creative director of Nylon magazine. In this role, Christensen oversees the magazine’s photography and visuals. She also writes articles focused on art, design, and culture.
Christensen splits her time between homes in New York City and Copenhagen. When not working, she enjoys spending time with her son Mingus and longtime partner Norman Reedus. She remains actively involved in charitable organizations like Oxfam and Doctors Without Borders.
Now in her 50s, Helena Christensen has achieved legendary status in the fashion world through her diverse work across modeling, photography, writing, and humanitarian efforts. She continues to captivate audiences with her timeless beauty, creative vision, and dedication to making a positive impact.
