Maggi Eckardt, one of Australia’s first international models and a former daytime television presenter, has died at the age of 82.

Eckardt began modelling in Sydney and was soon “discovered” by the Queen’s dressmaker, Norman Hartnell, visiting Australia on the hunt for models. In the 1960s, she became one of the world’s most sought-after photographic models, modelling for fashion icons Christian Dior, Yves Saint Laurent and Cristóbal Balenciaga and gracing the covers of the world’s top fashion magazines. She lived with her then husband, French diplomat Hervé Hutter, in Paris. They later moved to Melbourne where they had a son, Gaetan. The marriage ended in 1971.

Eckardt later returned to Sydney and was married to ad man John Singleton from 1976 to 1981.

For two years she hosted Ten’s Sydney morning show, The Maggi Eckardt Show, from 1976 to 1978. She continued to be involved in the fashion industry until just a few months ago.

Maggi Eckardt is survived by son Gaetan Hutter.

Source: Sydney Morning Herald, TV Tonight, Sydney Morning Herald. TV Week, 30 July 1977, 13 August 1977