Judith Baragwanath

Quick Facts

Full Name	Judith Baragwanath
Occupation	New Zealand Model
Date Of Birth	Jan 7, 1951(1951-01-07)
Age	73
Birthplace	Birmingham
Country	United States
Birth City	Alabama
Horoscope	Capricorn

Judith Baragwanath Biography

Judith Baragwanath is one of the most popular and richest New Zealand model who was born on January 7, 1951 in Birmingham, Alabama, United States. Judith Mary Baragwanath (born 7 January 1951) is a New Zealand writer, satirist fashion critic, model, fashion muse, socialite and maitre de often referred to in the popular media as “Old Black Lips.” She gained acclaim during the 60s when she was model for a New Zealand model after appearing in NZ Vogue magazine at the age of 15. Her fame is based on her feature and magazine column writing, which includes contributions (1982-2002) in the magazine “Felicity Ferret”, a gossip column that was published in the Auckland Magazine Metro. New Zealand journalist and writer Steve Braunias has called her “just about, if not the most, concise writer being regularly published that this country has ever seen. One of the most vivid writers we’ve ever had in non-fiction.”

In the 1970s she was working as a fashion editor at Auckland newspaper The Sunday News and in the 1980s she was the fashion editor of Auckland newspaper The Sun. In 1982, she was contacted by Warwick Roger to write for his new magazine Metro as a columnist in an ongoing series called “Across Town”. She was also asked contribute to an unnamed gossip section, dubbed “Felicity Ferret.” This was a plan to make it both humorous and scathing, in a way that was new for New Zealand readers. The concept was influenced by gossip columns in English magazines such as Tatler, Private Eye and the Spectator. There was a time when no one was aware of the identity of who “Felicity Ferret” was, however, many believed that Baragwanath was the person responsible. It was believed that the “Ferret” referred to Baragwanath as she was featured in the column in the form of “Old Black Lips” to avoid suspicion. It gained cult status and is still being studied for more than 10 years after it was finally cut off in 2002. While a number of writers, including Warwick Roger and James Allan were known for their anonymous contributions to the Ferret but Baragwanath is acknowledged to be its most prolific writer. She was the perfect person to expose the shady behavior of Auckland’s pre-1987 crash social elite. Along with being an extremely well-connected socialite and model, Baragwanath was a waitress as well as maitre d’ in various Auckland establishments in the 1970s. They included The Exchange Hotel Riccardo’s Restaurant, Clichy, Club Mirage, The French Cafe, the Verandah Bar and Grill, Tatler and Spectator Bar and restaurant, Cafe 161, Headquarters, Shanghai Lil’s, Armadillo as well as the Alhambra.

In 2010 New Zealand fashion designer Kate Sylvester paid homage to the “notorious socialite” with a winter collection called “Diamond Dogs” – the nickname given to Baragwanath’s social set. Sylvester’s models were sent down the runway in gym slips, jodhpur-cut trousers, military jackets, fur coats and black lipstick – the look Baragwanath had long made her own.

Baragwanath has worked as a columnist for Auckland newspaper the Sunday Star Times, the New Zealand Listener, and Cuisine magazine. Since 2017 she has been a reviewer and occasional columnist for North & South.

Baragwanath lives on Waiheke Island. In the past, she was closely associated with New Zealand TV documentary writer and director John Carlaw. Other collaborators included Auckland TV reporter Rhys Jones and musician Johnny Volume. Baragwanath was married to fashion model Tom Baragwanath in 1968, and restaurant owner Leroy Moody in 1985. In 1969, her daughter who was together with Baragwanath, Tiffany, was born. Prior to making the move to Australia, Tiffany Baragwanath was an accomplished New Zealand model and television presenter.

Judith Baragwanath Net Worth

Judith Baragwanath is one of the richest New Zealand Model from United States. According to our analysis, Wikipedia, Forbes & Business Insider, Judith Baragwanath 's net worth $5 Million. (Last Update: December 11, 2023)

Baragwanath was born in Birmingham, Alabama to a New Zealand nurse, Vivienne Grace, who was nee Grace, as well as her husband, an American G.I. Samuel Cleveland Seay. The couple divorced in 1953 and Vivienne returned to New Zealand with her infant daughter. Judith Seay was raised in Auckland without any memories of her father.

In 1966, Baragwanath was spotted through Auckland model Desmond Williams and began working as a model at the Diocesan School for Girls. Her photos were taken by New Zealand photographers Williams, Max Thompson, Roger Donaldson along with Michael Baigent (who later became a journalist) for fashion magazines , including New Zealand Vogue and English magazine Good Housekeeping. The runway was a popular place to walk during the 1970s and the 1980s in the 1980s for New Zealand labels Tigermoth, the New Zealand Wool Board, Vinka Lucas, Blooms, and Patrick Steel.

A widely reported incident in 1974 did much for Baragwanath’s notoriety – and also her bank balance. Baragwanath, 23, attended a party at the Rose Gardens in Parnell, Auckland, at which her friend was waitressing. Elton John and his manager, John Reid, were also there. The atmosphere deteriorated after Reid asked for whisky, which wasn’t available. He remonstrated with one of the organisers, events manager Kevin Williams, who offered him a glass of champagne. Reid could not be mollified. “You’re an incompetent!” he is alleged to have shouted, and threw the champagne in William’s face. “I lost my temper,” Baragwanath told Metro magazine in 1987. “I hate injustice and I said to him ‘What the f*** do you think you’re doing, you horrible little man?” “He said “Speak to me like that again and I’ll punch your lights out,” and next minute I was on the floor. Down I went. I had a black eye and was taken home (by my waitress friend) to my horrified mother and grandmother.” Baragwanath wasn’t Reid’s only victim that evening. . He went on later the same night to become involved in a dispute with Auckland journalist David Wheeler which became physical. The two Sunday News writers (Baragwanath was the paper’s fashion editor) decided to press charges. Reid’s defence – that he was under extreme pressure and hadn’t slept for nights – did not impress Mr Justice McMullin, and Reid spent 21 days in Mount Eden jail. He settled out of court with Baragwanath for NZ $2500. Baragwanath bought her first car with the proceeds. As she never learned to drive, it remains the only car she ever owned.

Height, Weight & Body Measurements

Judith Baragwanath height Not available right now. Judith weight Not Known & body measurements will update soon.

Who is Judith Baragwanath Dating?

According to our records, Judith Baragwanath is possibily single & has not been previously engaged. As of December 1, 2023, Judith Baragwanath’s is not dating anyone.

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Facts & Trivia

Judith Ranked on the list of most popular New Zealand model. Also ranked in the elit list of famous people born in United States. Judith Baragwanath celebrates birthday on January 7 of every year.