Linda Evangelista, one of the world’s original supermodels, has had a remarkable career in fashion, gracing runways and magazine covers alongside other iconic models like Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell, and Christy Turlington.
However, after becoming a mother, Evangelista’s priorities shifted, and she traded in her catwalks for strollers. Her son, Augustin James Evangelista, fondly nicknamed “Augie,” has been a constant source of joy and fulfillment in her life.
Early Life and Birth
Augustin James was born on October 11, 2006, in New York City. At the time of his birth, Evangelista’s partner, French businessman François-Henri Pinault, was not publicly named as the father. However, it was later revealed that Pinault was indeed Augie’s father.
Evangelista’s pregnancy with Augie was a highly publicized event, with the supermodel appearing on the cover of Vogue in August 2006, six months into her pregnancy. In the accompanying interview, Evangelista expressed her joy and excitement about becoming a mother, stating, “I’m not freaked out at all, I embrace it.
I believe I’m doing everything to go through this as smoothly as possible. I’m either doing yoga or exercising every day.” This pregnancy was particularly significant for Evangelista, who had previously suffered a pregnancy loss in 1999 after experiencing a stillbirth six months into her pregnancy.
Raising Augie Out of the Spotlight
Unlike his mother, who spent most of her life in the public eye, Augie has been raised away from the spotlight. He does not have public-facing social media accounts, and Evangelista rarely shares photos of him on her Instagram page.
However, in recent years, Augie has begun to make rare appearances with his mother at high-profile events, including the Fendi Spring 2023 fashion show in New York City and the second annual Caring for Women Dinner.
Family Ties
Augie’s father, François-Henri Pinault, has been married to actress Salma Hayek since 2009, making Hayek Augie’s stepmother.
Evangelista has spoken highly of her co-parenting relationship with Pinault and Hayek, revealing that Hayek has been a supportive and caring presence in Augie’s life.
In a 2023 interview with Vogue, Evangelista shared a heartwarming story about Hayek’s kindness during a difficult time, saying, “I was sick at Thanksgiving, and Salma got on the plane with her daughter, came here, and made Thanksgiving dinner.”
Augie’s Personality and Interests
While Evangelista has kept her son’s life largely private, she has shared glimpses into his personality and interests. In a 2013 interview with Harper’s Bazaar, Evangelista revealed that Augie, then six years old, didn’t share her love of fashion, preferring instead to wear jerseys and watch sports.
She also mentioned that they enjoyed spending time together, watching games and engaging in “boy things.”
Supporting His Mother
Evangelista has been open about her struggles with a rare side effect from a cosmetic procedure, which left her unable to work in the industry she once loved. During this difficult time, Augie has been a constant source of support and encouragement for his mother.
Evangelista has spoken about how proud she is of the young man Augie is becoming, saying, “I told [Augie] he might be hearing some things, and he said he didn’t care, that he’s there for me.”
