Brief Introduction of Twiggy
Dame Lesley Lawson, famously known as Twiggy, is an English model, actress, and singer who became a cultural icon of the “swinging sixties” in London. Renowned for her androgynous look, which featured a thin build, large eyes with long eyelashes, and short hair, she revolutionized the fashion industry. Dubbed “The Face of 1966” by the Daily Express, Twiggy’s unique appearance set a new standard for beauty and modeling. After a groundbreaking but brief modeling career, she successfully transitioned into acting and singing, earning accolades that include two Golden Globe Awards. Her influence extends beyond her initial fame, as she remains a prominent figure in fashion and media, celebrated for her enduring style and multifaceted career. Twiggy is widely considered to be one of the world’s first supermodels.
Twiggy Overview
| Full Name | Dame Lesley Lawson (née Hornby) |
| Date of Birth | September 19, 1949 |
| Age(as of 2025) | 76 |
| Birthplace | Neasden, London, England |
| Profession | Model, Actress, Singer |
| Husband/Wife | Leigh Lawson (m. 1988), Michael Witney (m. 1977; died 1983) |
| Family | Daughter: Carly Lawson |
| Relationship/Affairs(GF/BF) | Justin de Villeneuve (1966–1973) |
| Net Worth | Approximately $50 million |
Early Life and Education of Twiggy
Born Lesley Hornby on September 19, 1949, in the North West London suburb of Neasden, Twiggy was the third daughter of Nellie Lydia and William Norman Hornby. Her father worked as a master carpenter and joiner, while her mother was a factory worker for a printing firm. She grew up in a working-class family with two older sisters, Vivien and Shirley. From a young age, her mother taught her how to sew, a skill she used to create her own clothing. She attended Brondesbury and Kilburn High School. As a teenager, she was teased for her slender frame, the very feature that would later define her iconic look. At 15, while working as an assistant at a London hair salon, she met Nigel Davies, who would later be known as Justin de Villeneuve. He became her boyfriend and manager, nicknaming her “Twigs” due to her thin build, which eventually evolved into the globally recognized name, Twiggy.
Twiggy’s Career
Twiggy’s career began serendipitously in 1966 when, at the age of 16, she had her hair cut and colored by the celebrity hairdresser Leonard of Mayfair. A test headshot taken by photographer Barry Lategan was spotted by a fashion journalist from the Daily Express, leading to an article that declared her “The Face of ’66”. This catapulted the teenager to overnight fame. Her waifish, androgynous look was a stark contrast to the more curvaceous models of the era and perfectly captured the youth-driven “mod” aesthetic of 1960s London. By 1967, she was an international sensation, gracing the covers of Vogue and Tatler and modeling in France, Japan, and the United States. Her fame was so widespread that it led to the creation of a Barbie doll in her likeness in 1967, the first to be based on a real person. After just four years, Twiggy retired from modeling in 1970, stating, “You can’t be a clothes hanger for your entire life!”
Following her modeling career, Twiggy embarked on a successful journey in entertainment. She made her feature film debut in Ken Russell’s 1971 musical “The Boy Friend,” a role that earned her two Golden Globe Awards for New Star of the Year – Actress and Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy. This launched a varied acting career on screen and stage. In 1983, she made her Broadway debut in the musical “My One and Only,” for which she received a Tony Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical. Throughout the years, she has appeared in numerous films, including “The Blues Brothers” (1980) and “Madame Sousatzka” (1988), and television shows. She also hosted her own television series, “Twiggy’s People,” where she interviewed celebrities. In the 2000s, a new generation was introduced to her when she served as a judge on the popular reality show “America’s Next Top Model” from cycles 5 to 9. Twiggy also ventured into music, releasing several albums in various genres over the decades. Her 1998 autobiography, “Twiggy in Black and White,” became a bestseller. She has also remained a fashion figure, notably modeling for Marks & Spencer since 2005 and launching her own clothing collections.
Twiggy Personal Life & Family
Twiggy’s personal life has seen both joy and sorrow. Her first significant public relationship was with her manager, Justin de Villeneuve, from 1966 to 1973. In 1977, she married American actor Michael Witney. The couple had one daughter, Carly, born in 1978. Tragically, their marriage was cut short when Witney died from a sudden heart attack in 1983. In 1984, Twiggy met English actor and director Leigh Lawson. They worked together on the 1988 film “Madame Sousatzka” and married that same year in Sag Harbor, New York. Lawson adopted Carly, who then took his surname. The couple resides in Kensington, London, and also owns a home in Southwold, Suffolk. Throughout her life, Twiggy has been a vocal supporter of various causes, including breast cancer research, animal welfare, and anti-fur campaigns.
Awards and Achievements of Twiggy
- Named “The Face of 1966” by the Daily Express.
- Voted British Woman of the Year in 1966.
- Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year – Actress (1972) for “The Boy Friend”.
- Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy (1972) for “The Boy Friend”.
- Tony Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical (1983) for “My One and Only”.
- Appointed a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in the 2019 New Year Honours for services to fashion, the arts, and charity.
Twiggy Net Worth and Income
As of 2025, Twiggy’s net worth is estimated to be approximately $50 million. This considerable wealth has been accumulated through a long and diverse career. Her initial success as a supermodel in the 1960s, where she commanded high fees, laid a strong financial foundation. Following her retirement from full-time modeling, she diversified her income streams significantly. Her successful career as an actress in film, television, and on Broadway has been a major contributor. Additionally, she has earned income from her singing career, television hosting duties, and as a judge on “America’s Next Top Model.” Her autobiography was a bestseller, and she has had numerous lucrative endorsement deals and collaborations, most notably her long-standing partnership with British retailer Marks & Spencer, for whom she has both modeled and designed clothing lines.
Legacy and Influence
Twiggy’s legacy is profound, permanently altering the landscape of fashion and beauty. She is credited with being one of the first true supermodels, a model whose fame transcended the fashion world to become a global celebrity. Her androgynous, waif-like physique challenged and ultimately changed the prevailing beauty standards of the time, shifting the ideal from curvaceous figures to a more slender silhouette. The “Twiggy look”—a pixie haircut, large eyes accentuated with dramatic, painted-on lower lashes, and a mini-skirt—became emblematic of the 1960s Mod era and continues to inspire designers and beauty trends today. Her influence went beyond aesthetics; as a working-class girl from a London suburb who achieved worldwide fame, she represented the social mobility and cultural shifts of the “swinging sixties”. By successfully transitioning into acting and singing, she paved the way for future models to build multifaceted careers beyond the runway. Her enduring presence in the public eye, her timeless style, and her successful business ventures have solidified her status as a cultural icon.
Interesting Facts about Twiggy
- Her famous pixie haircut happened by chance when she, as a shy 16-year-old, agreed to let hairdresser Leonard of Mayfair try a new short style on her.
- She was one of the youngest people ever to be the subject of the biographical television show “This Is Your Life” in 1969, at just 20 years old.
- She appeared on the cover of David Bowie’s 1973 album “Pin Ups”.
- Her iconic, dramatic eyelashes were her own creation; she would apply three pairs of false lashes on her upper lids and then paint vertical lines under her lower lashes to mimic doll’s eyes.
- A rose was officially named after her at the prestigious Chelsea Flower Show in 2010.
- In 2019, Prince Charles made her a Dame Commander, reportedly telling her, “About time you got this.”
Controversies
Twiggy has maintained a largely positive public image throughout her extensive career and has not been involved in major, lasting controversies. Some debate during her early fame centered on her extremely thin physique. While she has stated her weight was natural for her as a teenager, some critics at the time and since have pointed to her image as contributing to a trend of unhealthy thinness in the fashion industry. However, Twiggy herself has spoken out against the trend of overly thin models in more recent years, clarifying that her own build was genetic and not the result of dieting.
Social Media Presence
- Instagram – Information not disclosed
- Twitter – Information not disclosed
- YouTube – Information not disclosed
Final Words about Twiggy
Decades after she first captured the world’s attention, Dame Twiggy remains a beloved and influential figure. She has successfully navigated a remarkable career transition from the world’s first supermodel to a respected actress, singer, and television personality. Her impact on 1960s culture is indelible, but her relevance has far outlasted that single decade. She continues to be a style icon for multiple generations, embodying a unique blend of androgynous chic and timeless elegance. Her long-running collaboration with Marks & Spencer demonstrates her enduring appeal and connection with the public. Now a Dame Commander of the British Empire, her contributions to fashion, the arts, and charity have been formally recognized. Twiggy’s journey is a testament to her talent, adaptability, and down-to-earth personality, solidifying her legacy not just as a face of an era, but as a true British national treasure.
