Lauren Wasser
Lauren Wasser – Life, Career, and Advocacy
Lauren Wasser is an American model, actress, and activist who survived toxic shock syndrome, lost both legs, and now champions menstrual health awareness. Discover her journey, work, and inspiration.
Introduction
Lauren Wasser is an American model, actress, and activist known for surviving a life-threatening case of toxic shock syndrome (TSS) that resulted in the amputation of her legs. She has used her experience to challenge beauty norms, advocate for women’s health, and inspire others through resilience and purpose.
Early Life & Background
Lauren Wasser was born to a mother who was a model, and she often travelled between London, Paris, New York, and ultimately settled in Los Angeles. Italian Vogue as an infant, alongside her mother.
Before her medical crisis, she was active as a model and had athletic interests; she has mentioned cycling and previously giving up a basketball scholarship to pursue modeling.
The Medical Crisis: Toxic Shock Syndrome & Amputations
In 2012, at age 24, Wasser developed flu-like symptoms that escalated rapidly. She was diagnosed with toxic shock syndrome (TSS), believed to be linked to tampon use. The infection caused organ failure and led to a grim prognosis.
Her right leg was amputated below the knee, and over time she also lost toes on her left foot. Later complications, including gangrene, led to the amputation of her left leg as well.
Despite being told she had minimal chances of survival, Wasser awoke from a coma and began a journey of recovery.
Career, Reinvention & Advocacy
Return to Modeling & Breaking Norms
After her recovery, Wasser reentered the fashion world. In 2016, she walked her first show post-amputation for Chromat during New York Fashion Week, wearing a design that celebrated her prosthetics.
She also appeared in campaigns (such as Kenneth Cole’s “Courageous Class”) and has modeled with her prosthetic limbs, which she sometimes refers to as “golden legs.”
Her return to fashion has been symbolic—not just a comeback, but a deliberate push to expand definitions of beauty and representation in modeling.
Activism & Awareness
Wasser has become a vocal advocate for menstrual health, transparency in tampon manufacturing, and increased awareness about the risks of TSS.
She has testified and collaborated on legislative efforts like the Robin Danielson Act, aiming to require tampon manufacturers to disclose ingredients and safety data.
She framed her activism as a response to her trauma, seeking to prevent similar cases and give voice to those suffering in silence.
Personality, Philosophy & Voice
Wasser often speaks about “being seen” and asserting existence within an industry that tends to sidelined bodies. She has said that what success means to her is visibility.
She embraces her prosthetics not as tragic markers but as part of her identity—referring to them as jewelry or trophies, not liabilities.
She is unflinchingly honest about her pain, her anger, and her grief in recovery, using vulnerability as strength in her advocacy.
Lessons from Her Journey
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Resilience amid tragedy
Wasser’s story reminds us that catastrophic loss doesn’t have to define one’s whole identity. -
Redefine representation
By modeling with prosthetics, she challenges narrow beauty norms and opens space for more diverse embodiments. -
Convert pain into purpose
Her advocacy stems directly from her suffering—she uses her platform to protect others. -
Be seen on your own terms
Wasser’s goal is to be visible not despite her body, but with it—to claim her presence fully. -
Honesty as empowerment
Her willingness to reveal emotional truths has helped break stigma about disability, menstruation, and trauma.
Citation Pages / Key Sources:
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“Lauren Wasser, The Impossible Muse” — CR Fashion Book interview
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“Model and Toxic Shock Syndrome Survivor Lauren Wasser Is Limitless” — SI Swimsuit article
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“Toxic Shock Syndrome Cost Model Lauren Wasser Her Leg, But It Gave Her a Cause” — Vogue