Eva Herzigova

Discover the life and legacy of Czech supermodel and actress Eva Herzigová (born March 10, 1973). From her rise as a 1990s icon with the “Hello Boys” Wonderbra campaign to her acting roles, personal life, and influence on fashion and modeling.

Introduction

Eva Herzigová is a Czech model and actress who became one of the most recognizable figures of 1990s fashion. Her tall stature, striking looks, and charismatic presence led her to iconic campaigns (notably the 1994 Wonderbra “Hello Boys” ad) and countless covers of high-fashion magazines. Over time, she extended her career into acting, philanthropy, and became a respected voice in fashion.

Though she is still active in fashion and media, her career arc offers lessons about reinvention, brand power, and balancing private life and public image.

Early Life & Background

• Eva Herzigová was born on March 10, 1973 in Litvínov, Czechoslovakia (now the Czech Republic).

• Her parents had modest, working-class backgrounds: an electrician father and a mother who worked as a secretary.

• As a child and teenager, she was athletic: she practiced gymnastics, basketball, track, and cross-country skiing.

• Initially, her family was hesitant about a modeling career, but she entered a local modeling competition in Prague at age 16 and won.

• Winning that contest led her to Paris, where she began building her international modeling career.

Her early experiences reveal how modeling for her was not a childhood ambition, but rather an opportunity she embraced when it appeared.

Modeling Career: Rise & Highlights

Breakthrough & the “Hello Boys” Campaign

• Eva’s breakthrough into the wider public consciousness came in 1994, when she starred in the Wonderbra “Hello Boys” campaign. The advertisement became iconic, widely reproduced, and is often credited with elevating her to supermodel status.

• The ad featured a close-up of her wearing a black Wonderbra, with the simple caption “Hello Boys.” It was bold, memorable, and etched into the public imagination.

Work with High Fashion & orials

Eva’s modeling career spanned major fashion houses and top-tier magazines:

• She walked for (and was associated with) designers and brands including Dolce & Gabbana, Chanel, Versace, Louis Vuitton and many others.

• Magazine covers: She appeared on the covers of Vogue (various international editions), Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, Marie Claire, Glamour, and more.

• Modeling statistics: Her height is 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in), with approximate measurements of 89-63-90 cm (35-25-35 in).

• She also worked with various modeling agencies across different markets (London, New York, Paris, Milan, etc.).

Beyond runway and editorial modeling, she also became known in commercial and lingerie work (e.g. Wonderbra, Guess, Victoria’s Secret).

Later Career & Reinvention

• In her later years, Eva has continued to model (for example, being a face for Dior’s Capture Totale line) and remains active in fashion imagery.

• She has also diversified into acting (film roles) and media presence.

• As she matures, she has spoken about changing priorities: more selectivity in work, focus on her family, and a more sustainable approach to fashion.

Her ability to remain relevant in fashion over decades is a testament to her adaptability, style, and personal brand strength.

Acting & Media Work

Though modeling is her primary claim to fame, Eva has also pursued acting:

• She appeared in Les Anges gardiens (1995) with Gérard Depardieu and Christian Clavier.

• Films such as My Best Friend’s Wife (1998), Modigliani (2004), and A Prominent Patient (2017) are among her credits.

• She also made appearances in short films, music videos, and had roles that reflect her persona as a fashion icon.

Her acting roles tend to be supporting, but they add depth to her public persona and allow her to explore creative expression beyond modeling.

Personal Life & Identity

• Eva married Tico Torres (the drummer of Bon Jovi) in September 1996, but they divorced in June 1998.

• She has three sons with Italian businessman Gregorio Marsiaj:
  • George (born June 1, 2007)
  • Philip (born March 13, 2011)
  • Edward (born April 20, 2013)

• She speaks multiple languages: Czech, Russian, English, French, and Italian.

• Her family resides in Italy.

While she is widely known for her public image, Eva has maintained relatively balanced privacy about her family life.

Memorable Quotes & Statements

Eva Herzigová is not primarily known as a quotable philosopher, but over time she has reflected on fashion, aging, life, and priorities. One recent reflection:

“How many black sweaters do we need?”
— In an interview, she used this phrase to express her evolving view on fashion: questioning excess, sustainability, and the role of essential pieces over fast trends.

This line metaphorically captures a shift in how she views her work and identity.

She has also in interviews lamented the overproduction in fashion, the constant pace of change, and how her life responsibilities (family, children) influence her choices.

Legacy & Influence

Eva Herzigová’s influence extends across multiple domains:

• Iconic branding: The Wonderbra “Hello Boys” campaign remains one of fashion advertising’s most memorable pieces, helping cement her as a cultural reference.

• Supermodel era: She is often grouped among the prominent models in the 1990s and early 2000s who defined the visual language of fashion.

• Longevity and reinvention: Many models fade with age; Eva’s continued relevance, her shift into new roles, and her selective approach offer a model of sustained career adaptability.

• Voice for more mindful fashion: Her recent comments and media engagement show she is not just a face but a participant in discussions about sustainability and the ethics of fashion.

• Crossing media boundaries: By combining modeling, acting, and public commentary, she shows how a public figure can diversify beyond a single domain.

Her legacy is both visible in fashion imagery and more quietly in how she shapes her brand and values over time.

Lessons from Eva Herzigová’s Journey

1. Be more than an image
   Her shift toward selectivity, deeper engagement, and acting demonstrates that even model careers can evolve meaningfully.

2. Iconic work has staying power
   A single powerful campaign (like “Hello Boys”) can become a cultural anchor that defines public memory and opens doors.

3. Balance public and private
   She has managed to navigate fame while maintaining a personal life with family, showing the possibility of both.

4. Adaptation is essential in creative industries
   Fashion changes rapidly; staying relevant requires flexibility, reinvention, and strategic choices.

5. Use one’s platform thoughtfully
   Her later reflections on sustainability, too much consumption, and fashion’s pace suggest that public figures can influence discourse—not just appear in it.

Conclusion

Eva Herzigová remains one of the most recognizable and respected names in modeling. From her rise in the 1990s via standout campaigns to her evolving role as a mature model, actress, and commentator, she exemplifies how an image can become a rich, evolving identity.

She shows that success in fashion is not just about beauty or exposure—but about sustaining relevance, making choices that reflect character, and continuously redefining what it means to be a public figure.