About Yasmeen Ghauri
Yasmeen Ghauri was born on March 23, 1971, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, to Moin Ghauri, a Pakistani imam, and Linda Ghauri, a German homemaker. Raised in a mixed-cultural, middle-class family with her sister, she grew up in the Montreal suburb of Saint-Laurent. Facing prejudice for her Pakistani heritage, she found solace in fashion and art. At 17, she was scouted by a Montreal modeling agent while working at a McDonald’s. She signed with Elite Model Management in 1989 and moved to New York to pursue modeling, pausing her studies at Concordia University. Ghauri is of Pakistani and German descent, a heritage she has embraced, often discussing the challenges and pride of her multicultural identity in interviews. She is primarily known as Yasmeen Ghauri, with no widely used aliases. In the 1990s, she was sometimes called “The Pakistani Panther” by fashion media for her exotic features and commanding runway presence.
Ghauri rose to fame in the early 1990s as a supermodel, known for her striking beauty and statuesque elegance. She appeared on over 100 magazine covers, including Vogue (U.S., Italian, French), Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, Marie Claire, and Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, debuting in 1994. Her breakthrough came with her 1991 Vogue Italia cover, shot by Steven Meisel. She starred in campaigns for Chanel, Versace, Givenchy, and Hermès, and was a Victoria’s Secret Angel from 1992 to 1997, appearing in catalogs and the 1995 and 1996 fashion shows. She walked runways for Yves Saint Laurent, Jean Paul Gaultier, and Valentino, with a notable moment in YSL’s 1992 couture show. Key covers include her 1993 Vogue with Naomi Campbell and her 1996 Elle shoot. Ghauri retired from modeling in 1997 to focus on family but made rare appearances, such as Vogue India (2018).
Ghauri signed with Elite Model Management in 1989, later working with Ford Models and Women Management. She maintained ties with Elite during her peak. Her editorial work includes Vogue (multiple editions), Harper’s Bazaar, W, Elle, Bazaar, and Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. A muse for photographers like Meisel, Patrick Demarchelier, and Gilles Bensimon, she embodied 1990s exotic glamour. Her work was featured in the 2009 Metropolitan Museum of Art’s The Model as Muse exhibition.
In 1995, Ghauri posed for a Playboy pictorial, featuring artistic nudity photographed by Patrick Demarchelier. The shoot, celebrated for its elegant and tasteful approach, highlighted her confidence and exotic allure, though it sparked minor debate among fans accustomed to her high-fashion image. She also appeared nude in select fashion editorials, such as a 1994 Vogue Italia shoot, where nudity was used to convey raw, artistic beauty. Ghauri described these projects as empowering, emphasizing her control over her image and the creative vision behind them.
At 5’10” with dark brown hair and brown eyes, Ghauri’s measurements were approximately 34"-24"-34" during her peak, with a 34B bra size. Known for her angular cheekbones, almond-shaped eyes, and lithe frame, she has not confirmed cosmetic surgeries, with her look attributed to natural beauty and minimal maintenance. She has no known tattoos or piercings.
Ghauri’s appeal lies in her exotic elegance and commanding presence. Fans and designers, like Gianni Versace, praised her as “a global goddess” for her ability to blend strength and sensuality. Her sharp features, sultry gaze, and graceful stride are often highlighted, with her multicultural background setting her apart.
Her net worth is estimated at $10 million, earned through modeling, endorsements (Hermès, Jil Sander), and her Victoria’s Secret work. She was a top-earning model in the 1990s, commanding high fees for campaigns and runways, but her early retirement limited her earnings compared to peers.
Ghauri avoided major controversies, maintaining a professional image. Her 1995 Playboy shoot drew minor criticism from conservative audiences, but she defended it as an artistic expression. Her decision to retire at the height of her career in 1997 surprised the industry, but she cited family priorities.
Her acting roles are minimal, with a cameo in Unzipped (1995, documentary). She did not appear in music videos or pursue acting, focusing on her modeling career, which perhaps cost her the fame of her 1990s contemporaries. Ghauri had limited TV appearances, featuring in The Super Models (2023, docuseries, as a guest) and fashion segments on MTV’s House of Style (1990s). She rarely appeared on talk shows, maintaining a low profile even during her peak.
Ghauri married attorney Ralph Bernstein in 1997, and they have two children: Maia (born 1998) and Victor (born 2003). She lives in Bedford, New York, prioritizing family privacy and raising her children. She has kept her personal life out of the public eye since retiring.
Ghauri’s legacy lies in her role as a 1990s supermodel, breaking barriers for models of color with her Pakistani-German heritage. She is often called a classic "working model" who was less interested in the fame and trappings of modeling and more in working. Her Victoria’s Secret work and high-fashion campaigns made her a trailblazer, influencing models like Anok Yai. Her early retirement to focus on family inspired peers valuing personal fulfillment. She supports children’s education charities in Pakistan, reflecting her roots.
As of 2025, Ghauri remains retired from public life, with no recent modeling or media appearances. She lives privately in New York, focusing on her family and occasionally supporting charitable causes. Her rare 2018 Vogue India shoot reaffirmed her iconic status in fashion.
_thumb3.jpg)
