Dayle Haddon, a pioneering figure in the modeling world known for challenging ageism, has passed away at the age of 76 from suspected carbon monoxide poisoning in Pennsylvania. Authorities discovered Haddon’s body in a second-floor bedroom and were alerted to the situation after an emergency call reported a person unconscious at the Solebury Township residence. Alongside her, a 76-year-old man, Walter J. Blucas, was found and transported to the hospital in critical condition. Investigations pointed to a faulty flue and exhaust pipe in the heating system as the cause of the carbon monoxide leak, leading to the hospitalization of two medics and on-site treatment for a police officer.
Haddon’s career began early in her native Canada, where she took up modeling to finance her ballet classes with the Canadian ballet company Les Grands Ballets Canadiens. Her significant impact in the 1970s and 1980s includes appearances on the covers of renowned magazines like Vogue and Cosmopolitan and a feature in the 1973 Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue. She also ventured into acting, contributing to nearly two dozen films until the 1990s.
Following her husband’s death in 1991, Haddon re-entered the workforce, confronting industry biases due to her age. Despite initial rejections, she forged ahead, garnering contracts with major beauty brands such as Clairol, Estée Lauder, and L’Oreal, promoting products for aging women. In 2008, she founded WomenOne, focusing on education for women and girls in marginalized communities worldwide.
Haddon, remembered by her daughter Ryan as “an inspiration to many,” leaves behind a legacy of advocacy and empowerment, proving age to be not a barrier but an opportunity for reinvention and influence.
