"Gia", as she was known in modelling circles, moved to New York City at the age of 18, and quickly rose to prominence, reaching international fame with such name magazines as Vogue and others. She posed for photos at many countries world-wide and led a fast life, thanks to her exotic appearance and lesbian lifestyle. Her sexual orientation has been disputed: while some think she was 100 percent lesbian, others point out to the fact she had many relationships with males and call her bisexual.
Gia frequented New York's jet-set night spots, such as Studio 54, and developed a heroin problem during the latter part of her life. Because of Bipolar Disorder, Gia experienced extreme mode swings and would walk out of a fashion shoot if she didn't feel like doing it. She constantly medicated herself with heroin. In 1985, she was diagnosed with HIV, becoming one of the first famous persons to be diagnosed with the disease, and also the first famous female diagnosed. Carangi made several attempts at fighting her heroin addiction, attending rehabilitation centers multiple times. In 1983, she was profiled on ABC's 20/20 news magazine, in a piece focusing on the dark side of modelling.
Gia Carangi died of complications resulting from AIDS in 1986, at the age of 26. A biographical film, Gia, debuted on HBO in 1998 which helped bring her back to the public's attention. Angelina Jolie played Carangi in the movie.
External links
The Gia Carangi Shrine (http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Lofts/4920/gia.html)
Gia Carangi Starpulse (http://www.starpulse.com/Supermodels/Carangi,_Gia/)
GiaCarangi.com (http://www.giacarangi.com/)
Yahoo! Gia Carangi Club (http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/thegiacaranginetwork)
GiaCarangi was a natural: “I didn’t have to tell her what to do,” said a family friend and first photographer to work with GiaCarangi.
GiaCarangi was extremely close to her mother Kathleen, as Gia was growing in close proximity with her mother.
GiaMarieCarangi was known in modelling circles as “Gia”, moved from Philadelphia to New York City at the age of 17, and quickly rose to prominence, reaching international fame with such name magazines as Vogue and others.
On January 29 of 1960, the Carangis embraced their first baby girl; they named her GiaMarieCarangi and from the day she was born she was special.
Gias parents argued constantly, "Gia and I used to sit on top of the steps every night and listen to them fight, and we hated it," said her brother Michael Carangi.
For Gia, who was extremely close to her mother, Kathleen's actions were heartbreaking.
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