Iris Apfel’s poignant Instagram post showed the fashionista beaming at the camera as she joked that she was “only 26” in Leap Years.
The former furniture designer died yesterday at the age of 102 at her home in Palm Beach, Florida.
The cause of death of the star – a New York style icon known for her signature style – has not yet been revealed.
Hours before the sad announcement, Iris made one final Instagram post, referring to 2024 as a leap year.
In the caption she wrote: ‘Half birthdays away I’ll only be 26!!! I’m 102 and a half today… happy leap day!’
In the photo: the last image that Iris Apfel shared on Instagram before her death at the age of 102 was announced yesterday
In the black and white photo, Iris sat in front of a backdrop of silver foil streamers.
Looking glamorous as ever, the businesswoman was pictured wearing satin trousers, a voluminous coat and stacks of beaded necklaces.
Iris wore her signature black round glasses and wore her white hair up in an elegant updo.
The interior designer – who oversaw White House renovations during nine presidencies – is seen holding a number of green balloons, including a frog-shaped balloon, which appear to be placed over the statue.
The image has racked up nearly 290,000 likes, with followers sharing condolences in the comments.
One replied: ‘RIP – 102 years is an amazing achievement!’
Another added: “She jumped to the other side in style!”
A third added: ‘Thank you for being such a great inspiration! May you rest in peace.’
The cause of death of the star (pictured) – a New York style icon known for her signature style – has not yet been revealed
Hours before the sad announcement, Iris made one final Instagram post – in which she referred to 2024 as a leap year
Apfel’s signature style—chunky bracelets, layers of necklaces, and those iconic heavy-rimmed glasses—helped her become a late-in-life fashion icon, or a “geriatric starlet,” as she often referred to herself.
She did not gain worldwide attention until 2005 when the Metropolitan Museum of Art showed an exhibition highlighting her fashion sense, entitled Rara Avis (Rare Bird).
She became a model at the age of 97 and has modeled for Vogue Italia, Kate Spade and MAC
She is also the oldest person to have a Barbie doll made in her image by Mattel.
Following the news of her death, fans rushed to her social media page to pay their respects.
Maria Shriver wrote: ‘Wow! What a truly remarkable life #IrisApfel has lived. She really did it all: she was a businesswoman, she was a fashion model, she was a fashion icon, she was a college professor, she was a star in a documentary, she was a Barbie doll! Iris is real proof that age is just a number.’
Rocker Lenny Kravitz wrote, “You have mastered the art of living. Thank you for your energy and inspiration.’
Actress Hannah Waddingham also paid tribute, writing: ‘Ohhhhhh. Good night and God bless ma’am. What joy and endless style you have brought to so many.”
A spokesperson for her estate confirmed the news to the New York Times, revealing that she died at her home in Palm Beach, Florida; seen with Linda Fargo in 2013
The cause of death has not been provided at this time; seen in 2015
Apfel’s signature style—chunky bracelets, layers of necklaces, and those iconic heavy-rimmed glasses—helped her become a late-in-life fashion icon, or a “geriatric starlet,” as she often referred to herself; seen with Christie Brinkley in 2022
Apfel, for many years a New York style icon, did not gain global attention until 2005 when the Metropolitan Museum of Art showed an exhibition focusing on her fashion sense, entitled Rara Avis (Rare Bird); seen with Christina Hendricks in 2016
“Thank you for sharing your beautiful life,” designer Jenna Lyons added.
“RIP icon,” one person wrote.
“You will be missed,” another added with a red heart emoji.
“An icon and true inspiration,” wrote yet another follower.
‘Rest in beauty icon.’
Iris Apfel (born Iris Barrel) was born on August 29, 1921 in Astoria, Queens, New York City – the only child of Samuel Barrel and Russian-born wife Sadye Barrel.
She started her career as a copywriter for Women’s Wear Daily and interior designer Elinor Johnson.
In 1948, she married husband Carl Apfel, and the duo owned a textile company until they retired 44 years later. Carl died in 2015 at the age of 100.
Iris continued to have an incredible enthusiasm for life and at the age of 90 she began teaching at the University of Texas at Austin.
At the age of 94, she was the subject of a documentary by Albert Maysles, simply titled Iris.