Patti Hansen

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Lore & Background

Hansen's modeling career reached its height in the late 1970s when she appeared on the December 1978 Esquire cover celebrating "The Year of the Lusty Woman." Her work with Calvin Klein was particularly notable, featuring her on a massive Times Square billboard. After pausing her career in the early 1980s to focus on acting and family, she returned to the runway in 1993 when designer Calvin Klein revived 1970s-era models for his collection. Her enduring status was cemented when American Vogue presented her on its November 1999 Millennium cover as one of the "Modern Muses." Decades later, in February 2019, she walked the runway again for Michael Kors' Studio 54-inspired Fall 2019 collection. In 2004, she appeared in ads alongside her daughters Alexandra and Theodora for Guerlain's Shalimar Light perfume.

In Their Own Story

The narrative of Hansen's life took a pivotal turn on December 18, 1983, when she married Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards. The ceremony took place at the Finisterra Hotel in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, coinciding with his 40th birthday. Following their marriage, the couple settled into a domestic life in Weston, Connecticut, where Hansen raised two daughters: Theodora and Alexandra. Her personal life is marked by her devout Christian faith. While she stepped away from the spotlight to raise her family, she maintained a connection to her professional roots, returning to modeling years later to share the stage with her children for fashion campaigns. Her story is one of balancing the demands of a global icon's wife with her own independent identity as a former cover model and actress.

Reader's Guide

For those interested in the intersection of rock history and high fashion, Hansen offers a unique case study. She transitioned from being a discovered teenager at 14 to a global icon before taking on the role of a mother and spouse. Her modeling resurgence demonstrates longevity, appearing in Vogue's Millennium issue and walking for Michael Kors nearly forty years after her discovery. Her personal life provides a grounded contrast to the chaotic image often associated with Keith Richards; she is a devout Christian living in Connecticut who married him on his birthday and built a family together.

Did You Know?

• Hansen was discovered by photographer Peter Gert at age 14 and signed to Wilhelmina Cooper's agency after attending a party hosted by the owner.
• She appeared on the December 1978 cover of Esquire magazine for an issue titled "The Year of the Lusty Woman."
• Hansen married Keith Richards on his 40th birthday, December 18, 1983, in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
• In February 2019, she walked the runway for Michael Kors' Studio 54-inspired Fall 2019 collection.
• She appeared in a 2004 advertisement for Guerlain's Shalimar Light perfume alongside her daughters Alexandra and Theodora.