Pioneering photographer Marilyn Stafford’s life in pictures after her death aged 98
>
Marilyn Stafford spent her life capturing the world, from London house portraits to fruit vendors in Lebanon to the haute couture scene in Paris, through the lens of her camera.
The American-born photographer documented the highlights of the 20th century throughout her 30-year career, attending key international events and meeting monumental figures. Her portfolio includes artists like Édith Piaf, Eleanor Roosevelt, Bing Crosby, Sharon Tate and more.
Ms. Stafford’s career began in 1948 after she took a grainy portrait of Nobel Prize-winning physicist Albert Einstein at her home. She had never used a 35mm camera before her meeting with Einstein and she previously admitted that she “had no idea what she was doing” when she took the photo.
She continued to work in New York City before marrying a British foreign correspondent working in Paris in 1958. Her husband’s work took her to Italy and then Lebanon, where she spent time traveling and documenting local life.
In the mid-1960s, Ms Stafford moved to London as a single mother and worked with various UK and international publications including The Observer, Vogue, Women’s Wear Daily and The Herald Tribune. She continued to travel the world and take photos until the 1980s.
Ms. Stafford passed away on January 2 at the age of 97. In honor of the talented artist and storyteller, MailOnline details her life as she made it, through the lens of her camera.
Model at Tour D’Argent by Marilyn Stafford: The photographer captured this image in Paris, circa 1955. The model is seen wearing a Givenchy Haute Couture gown.
Ready-to-wear on a rainy day: Marilyn Stafford captured this image in Paris in 1960. It shows a woman on the streets of Paris on a rainy day. Her silhouette is reflected in a shop window.
Marilyn Stafford captured a fruit vendor and a tinsmith conversing in a market in Tripoli, Lebanon, in 1960.
Model with Dog by Marilyn Stafford: A Ready-to-Wear Model with a Dog, Passerelle des Arts, Paris, circa 1955
Marilyn Stafford captures sleepers from the street in Boulogne-Billancourt, Paris, circa 1950
Marilyn Stafford captures a ready-to-wear model with a child in well-worn boots in Montmartre, Paris, circa 1955
Marilyn Stafford captures a photograph of two men smoking
A model poses for Marilyn Stafford at the Chelsea Antique Market on King’s Road, west London, in 1970.
Marilyn Stafford took a collection of portraits throughout her 30-year career as a photographer
The American-born photographer documented the highlights of the 20th century throughout her 30-year career, attending key international events and meeting monumental figures.
Marilyn Stafford photographs a model named Twiggy in London in 1970
Marilyn Stafford spent her life capturing the world through her camera lens. One of her portraits is shown above.
Mulk Raj Anand with a village victim of the Bangladesh Liberation War, Gopalganj district, 1972
Marilyn Stafford’s portfolio included portraits of many celebrities, including Edith Piaf, pictured in Paris, circa 1950.
Photographer captured an image of a girl carrying a bottle of milk, Cité Lesage-Bullourde, circa 1950
Marilyn Stafford captured a photo of a weightlifter working out in Sidon, Lebanon in 1960.
Marilyn Stafford captures Indira Gandhi boarding a plane in Delhi in 1971
The Fashion Collection: Marilyn Stafford captures Twiggy on a press call in London, circa 1966
Marilyn Stafford photographed a model holding her heels and an umbrella, while wearing flat boots, after a fashion shoot at the Louvre, circa 1955.
Marilyn Stafford boarding an Indian Air Force flight to Kashmir with Indira Gandhi. unknown photographer
Marilyn Stafford took a photograph of Francesca Serio (1903-1992) in Rome, circa 1959. Mrs. Serio sued the mob after it killed her son.
A photograph of the city of Baalbek in southern Lebanon in 1960. The city was simply a village at the time.
Marilyn Stafford photographs Indian author Mulk Raj Anand
Dior model and umbrella by Marilyn Stafford: Ready-to-Wear, Christian Dior Boutique, Paris, 1950
Rahul, grandson of Indira Gandhi, playing next to sandbags that were used to protect his grandmother’s house during the Indo-Pakistani War, New Delhi, 1972
Joanna Lumley, left, with models backstage at a Jean Muir fashion show
Marilyn Stafford takes a photograph as Indira Gandhi speaks at a mass rally in Kashmir in 1971
A model is seen with children on the street in Montmartre, Paris, circa 1955.
Marilyn Stafford took a photograph of Indira Gandhi’s driver during her tour of Kashmir after the 1971 war with Pakistan.