Dovima, born as Dorothy Virginia Margaret Juba on December 11, 1927, was an American supermodel during the 1950s. She was born in Queens, New York, to Stanley Juba, a Polish-American policeman, and Margaret J. “Peggy” Horan. The name “Dovima” is composed of the first two letters of her three given names. She was discovered on a sidewalk in New York City by an editor at Vogue, and had a career that spanned the late 1940s through the early 1960s.
Dovima was a muse to many photographers of the time, including Richard Avedon, who said that she was “the most remarkable and unconventional beauty of her time”. She is perhaps best known for her work with Avedon, which includes the iconic 1955 fashion photograph “Dovima with Elephants,” taken at the Cirque d’Hiver, Paris.
Despite her success, Dovima’s personal life was fraught with difficulties. She was married twice and had one daughter. Her first marriage, to Jack Golden, ended in divorce. Her second marriage, to Alan Murray, also ended in divorce. After her modeling career ended, she worked a variety of jobs, including as a hostess and in a pizza parlor.
Dovima passed away in 1990 from liver cancer. Despite the challenges she faced, Dovima’s impact on the fashion industry is undeniable. Her elegance, poise, and unique beauty continue to inspire models and fashion enthusiasts today.
