NEW YORK — Naomi Sims, a pioneering beauty considered by many as the first black supermodel, has died. She was 61.
Sims died of cancer on Saturday in Newark, N.J., her son Bob Findlay told the New York Times.
Sims first landed in New York City in 1966 when she received a scholarship to the Fashion Institute of Technology. The Oxford, Mississippi native was initially turned down as she attempted to launch her modeling career because of her skin color, but Sims persevered and eventually got her start.
In 1968, Sims became the first black model to appear on the cover of Ladies' Home Journal. Her success would eventually help open the door in the following decade for such black runway stars as Pat Cleveland, Alva Chinn and Beverly Johnson.
Sims left the runways to launch her own beauty business in 1973. She created a successful wig collection geared toward black women and eventually expanded her ventures to include salons and cosmetics.
Sims also went on to author several books, including All About Health and Beauty for the Black Woman.
In addition to her son, Sims is survived by a sister, Betty, and a granddaughter.
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