Gia Marie Carangi (January 29, 1960 - November 18, 1986) was a top US fashion model of the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Gia Carangi was a precursor to the Cindy Crawford, Rachel Hunter, Elle MacPherson “Supermodel” era, she appeared on the covers of several fashion publications of her time. The fashion magazine covers featuring Gia include British Vogue April 1st 1979, Vogue Paris April 1979, American Vogue August 1980, Vogue Paris August 1980, Italian Vogue January 1981 and several issues of American Cosmopolitan between 1979 and 1982.
Gia Carangi frequented New York’s jet-set night spots, such as Studio 54, and developed a heroin problem during the latter part of her life. Because of Bipolar Disorder, Gia Carangi experienced extreme mood swings and would walk out of a fashion shoot if she didn’t feel like doing it.
Gia Carangi constantly medicated herself with heroin. Gia Carangi made several attempts at fighting her heroin addiction, attending rehabilitation centers multiple times. In 1983, Gia Carangi was profiled on ABC’s 20/20 magazine, in a piece focusing on the dark side of modeling.
In June of 1986, Gia Carangi was diagnosed with HIV, becoming one of the first famous persons to be diagnosed with the disease, and also the first famous female diagnosed.
Gia Carangi died of complications resulting from AIDS in 1986, at the age of 26.