Former model and businesswoman Naomi Sims, who is often referred as the first black supermodel, has passed away after a long battle with cancer on Saturday (August 1) in Newark. Naomi was 61 years old.

Naomi was the first black model to appear on the cover of a magazine, Ladies’ Home Journal, back in November 1968 and when she retired she had a successful career producing her own collection of wigs and cosmetics for black women. Naomi is survived by her son, Bob Findlay.

Naomi Sims Pictures