The Tragic Fate of the World's First Supermodel (3 photos)
They called her "Miss Manhattan" and the American Venus. In the 1910s, Audrey Munson was the most sought-after model in the world. Sculptors carved her form, painters immortalized her on canvas, her likeness was minted on U.S. coins, and the American president at the time declared her the living embodiment of the nation.
Born in 1891, the world's first supermodel lived a remarkably long life of 104 years—65 of which were spent in a psychiatric hospital. 
Audrey’s childhood was spent in poverty. Her big break came at 15, when a renowned photographer spotted her walking down Broadway. Her modeling career took off immediately. She was earning a fortune, but she blew through it just as fast. 
Her downward spiral began in 1919 when her landlord fell madly in love with her. Desperate to marry the young model, he murdered his wife. He was caught, sentenced to death, and executed in the electric chair.
Although Audrey was entirely innocent, a puritanical public turned its back on her. Nobody wanted anything to do with her anymore. Broke and disgraced, she ended up working as a dishwasher. 
Driven to despair, she eventually tried to end her life. She survived, but the suicide attempt left deep psychological scars. Soon after, Audrey was admitted to a psychiatric facility, where she stayed until her death.
The only person who ever visited the disgraced, forgotten star was her father, but she failed to recognize him. She was eventually buried in the same grave as him.
