Gail O’Neill, a former model and journalist who, among other publications, graced the covers of Vogue, Elle, and Sports Illustrated, died on October 10, 2023, at the age of 61. She was a fashion industry pioneer and a well-respected correspondent for CBS, CNN, and HGTV.
Her death has shocked and saddened a great number of admirers and colleagues, who have praised her legacy and accomplishments. Here is information regarding Gail O’Neill’s cause of death, biography, career, and family.
What was Gail O’Neill’s cause of death?
The cause of her death has not been made public. Gail did, however, suffer a terrible disease for the last two years of her life. Her death is deeply felt, signaling the end of an era in fashion and journalism.
Gail O’Neill, who was among the renaissance of Black supermodels in the eighties and nineties, has died at the age of 61. Gail appeared on the covers of Vogue, Mademoiselle and Essence
Cause of death unknown.
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.#gailoneill #blacksupermodels #90s #80s #rip pic.twitter.com/0ZUM8oeQJX— Black Woman 👑 (@25Bwb) October 14, 2023
Who was Gail O’Neill?
Gail O Neill was born in Westchester County, New York, on September 23, 1962. She was the youngest of three children born to Jamaican parents. In 1984, she earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and sociology from Wesleyan University. She worked in marketing and sales for Xerox until 1985, when photographer Chuck Barry met her at JFK Airport.
She signed with Click Models and quickly rose to become one of the world’s most sought-after models. She has graced the covers of numerous magazines, including British Vogue, Italian Vogue, American Vogue, Mademoiselle, Elle, Glamour, Essence, and others. She has also collaborated with major designers, including Michael Kors, Ralph Lauren, Donna Karan, Calvin Klein, and Giorgio Armani.
She was a part of the Black Girls Coalition, an advocacy group that Iman and Bethann Hardison founded to address issues in the fashion industry like racism and homelessness. She also posed for Vogue Italia’s Black Issue in 2008, in reaction to a lack of diversity in the fashion industry.
She began her career in journalism in 1999 as a journalist for CBS’s The Early Show. She went on to work for CNN and HGTV, where she hosted shows like Travel Now, Mission Organization, and Public Places, Private Spaces. She relocated to Atlanta in 2000 and joined ArtsATL.org as an editor-at-large in 2014. She also presented and co-produced Collective Knowledge, a video series in which she interviewed thought leaders on a variety of themes.
She was regarded as being generally loved, inquisitive, omnivorous, authentic, gentle, and intelligent. Her writing style and ability to take readers along for the ride on her voyage of discovery reflected her great interest in the world.
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Who is Gail O Neill’s family?
Gail O Neill’s spouse, Paul Viera, whom she married in 1996, survives her. He is a co-founder and partner at EARNEST Partners LLC, an Atlanta-based investment management firm. They do not have any children.
Her mother, Elaine O Neill; sister, Denise O Neill; brother, Randy O Neill; nieces Nicole O Neill and Ashley O Neill; nephews Ryan O Neill and Brandon O Neill; and other family and friends survive her.
Gail O Neill Modeling and Journalism Career
Gail O’Neill’s career has been nothing short of spectacular. She has adorned the covers of famous magazines such as Vogue, Mademoiselle, Elle, and Glamour as a fashion model, while also representing renowned designers such as Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, and Michael Kors. She had classic photo assignments by great photographers in her repertoire.
As a member of the Black Girls Coalition, Gail was not only a supermodel but also a leader in campaigning for diversity in the fashion business. Gail went on to work in broadcast journalism later in life. She has reported for CBS’s “The Early Show,” CNN, and HGTV.
Her dedication to her work and the individuals she covered defined her journalism career. She finally relocated to Atlanta, where she became a well-known and well-liked local journalist.
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