Karen Elson is a famous British model and singer-songwriter who has had a major impact on the fashion and music industries.
As a model, Elson has appeared on the covers of prestigious magazines such as Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar and W, and has walked for top designers such as Chanel, Prada and Versace.
In addition to her successful modeling career, Elson is also a talented singer-songwriter.
She has released several albums that showcase her soulful and folk-inspired musical style.
Elson’s evocative vocals and introspective lyrics have earned her critical acclaim and a loyal fan base.
contour
- Full name: Karen Jill Elson
- Stage name: Karen Elson
- Date of birth: January 14, 1979
- Age: 45 years old
- Birthplace: Oldham, England
- Nationality: British
- Occupation: British model and singer-songwriter.
- Height: 1.78 m
- Parents: Mr. and Mrs. Elson
- Siblings: Kate Elson
- Spouse: Lee Foster (m. 2024), Jack White (m. 2005–2013)
- Children: Scarlett Theresa White and Henry Lee White
- Relationship: Married
- Net worth: $20 million to $30 million.
early life and education
Karen Jill Elson is a British model and singer-songwriter. She was born on January 14, 1979, in Oldham, Greater Manchester, England, to parents whose names are unknown but may be referred to as Mr. and Mrs. Elson.
She has a fraternal twin sister named Kate Elson, who is a British model and film producer. Elson attended North Chaderton School. Her ethnicity is white and her religion is Christian.
Profession
Karen Elson was discovered at the age of 16 by Debra Burns, owner of Boss Model Management in Manchester. She began modeling locally and left Oldham after a year. Photographer Steven Meisel shot Elson on the cover of Italian Vogue for her 18th birthday, launching her global modeling career.
Elson has worked with many of the world’s top fashion photographers and designers, including Arthur Elgort, Bruce Weber, Mario Testino, Peter Lindbergh, Mert and Marcus, Steven Klein, Patrick Demarchelier, Helmut Newton and Ellen Von Unwerth.
She has walked for brands such as Marc Jacobs, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana, Versace, Tom Ford, YSL, Alexander McQueen, Dior, Anna Sui and Gucci.
Elson has appeared on more than 30 magazine covers, including Vogue, W, Dazed & Confused, Numéro, Harper’s Bazaar, Marie Claire, Elle, Lula, Foam” and “Nylon” and other international magazines. In 2008, she appeared on the cover of British Vogue as the “Red Queen of Fashion”.
Elson has won numerous honors, including Model of the Year at the 1997 VH1 Fashion Awards and Best Model at the 2005 British Fashion Awards. She has also appeared in short films and fashion videos, including the White Stripes’ “Blue Orchid” music video.
Elson was a founding member and performer of the New York political cabaret The Citizens. Since 2004, she has appeared with the group at various theaters and at the Deitch Projects art gallery downtown.
As one of the leaders of The Citizens, Elson performed a variety of songs, including covers by The Velvet Underground, Kurt Weill, Elvis Presley, Mimi, and Richard Farry Songs by artists such as Na, Pete Seeger, Leonard Cohen, Neil Young and Marlene Dietrich.
She also writes and co-writes songs for the troupe’s performances. In 2002, Elson contributed backing vocals to the remix of Robert Plant’s “Last Time I Saw Her” from the album Dreamland.
In 2005, Elson’s solo recording of “Coming Down” was released on CD accompanying the August 2005 issue of Uncut magazine, selected by REM singer Michael Stipe. She also recorded a duet “I Love You (Me Either)” with Cat Power for the Serge Gainsbourg tribute album Monsieur Gainsbourg Revisited.
During her career, Elson recorded many cover songs, including Donovan’s “Season of the Witch,” Lou Reed’s “Vicious,” Jackson C. Frank’s “Milk and Honey,” Buddy Hawley’s “Cry, Wait, Hope,” Fleetwood Mac’s “Gold Dust Woman” and Lyle Lovett’s “If I Had a Boat.”
social media
- Instagram account: @misskarenelson
- Facebook account: Karen Elson Official
- Twitter account: @KarenElson_
personal life
Elson is a British model and singer-songwriter who has been married twice. Her first marriage was to the former lead singer of The White Stripes from 2005 to 2013.
They had two children: Scarlett Theresa and Henry Lee. In 2024, Elson married her current husband, Lee Foster, who owns Electric Lady Studios.
discography
album
- The Walking Ghost(2010)
- Double Rose(2017)
- Green(2022)
singles
- The Walking Ghost(2010)
- If I Had a Boat(2010)
- Dancing Alone(2010)
- Season of the Witch(2010)
- Stolen Rose(2010)
- Calling Your Name(2017)
- Dixie(2013)
- The truth is in the dirt (2010)
- The Far Side(2017)
- I love you (me too) (2006)
- Shattered Shadows(2022)
- Wild Blue(2022)
- Lightning Strike(2021)
- Milk and Honey(2012)
net worth
Karen Elson is a critically acclaimed model and singer-songwriter with an estimated net worth of $20 million to $30 million.
This massive wealth is largely due to her highly successful modeling career, which spanned decades and involved collaborations with leading fashion houses.
In addition to her modeling career, Elson has also gained recognition for her music career, further contributing to her impressive net worth. As a singer-songwriter, she has released several critically acclaimed albums, cementing her status as a versatile artist.
