"I was willing to give anything to gain freedom." Linda Evangelista spoke about violence from her ex-husband

Supermodel Linda Evangelista accused her ex-husband, head of the Elite Model Management agency Gerald Marie, of violence and bullying. She stated this in the Apple TV+ documentary series “Supermodels,” which talks about the underbelly of the modeling industry. Linda added that she believes Gerald's other victims and admires their courage. So, three years ago, seven women accused Gerald of harassment and sexual assault. "I would like justice to prevail. I would like idiots like this to think twice and be scared, and for women to know that they are not alone," the model said.

Gerald Marie surrounded by models Gerald Marie surrounded by models/GettyImages.ru

Evangelista stated that it was difficult for her to get out of this relationship, which she entered into at 22 years old.

"It's hard to take the step of leaving a relationship. I understand that because I've been in one myself. If I just said I wanted a divorce, it wouldn't have worked," she says. According to her, leaving an abusive relationship is not as easy as many people think. “You can’t just walk up to a person and say, ‘I want a divorce.’ It’s impossible.” Evangelista added that her ex-husband only let her go “when he realized that he would get everything.” "I was willing to give anything to gain freedom."

According to the model, Marie mocked her in a very deliberate manner.

“He knew not to touch my money-making face,” she said.

Gerald Marie himself denies all accusations of abuse and violence on his part. According to him, he "never committed the slightest act of violence."

Linda Evangelista and Gerald Marie were married from 1986 to 1993. In the documentary series Supermodels, legendary supermodels Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell, Christy Turlington and Linda Evangelista come together to reminisce about their journey to success in the industry, their friendships and life beyond the runway. The series was directed by Roger Ross Williams and Larissa Bills.