The Gerber baby that started it all Ann Turner CookAfter an interesting life,, is now thriving in the golden years. The 95-year-old face of the famed baby food company has one of the world’s most recognizable baby pictures. It’s what she got up to after the well-known sketch of her infant self helped launch one of the longest-running companies in America that’s truly interesting.
The Gerber Baby: The Origins
Ann Turner Cook was birthed on November 20, 1926. Her father, Leslie Turner, worked as a cartoonist and the family lived next door to Dorothy Hope Smith, an artist. In 1928, in response to a call from Gerber for baby images, Smith submitted a charcoal drawing she’d made of Cook.
Gerber trademarked Gerber’s drawing in 1931. Although Smith promised the baby food giant she would turn the sketch into an oil painting after it was selected, the judges loved the image of a cherubic cheeked, pursed-lip Cook.
The World Wonders About The Gerber Baby’s Identity
For a long time, until 1978, Cook’s identity as the original Gerber baby was kept a secret, which led to a lot of rumors about who the famed infant could be. Brooke Shields is believed to be the Gerber infant. However, the famous actress’ picture proves otherwise.
A poll conducted before Cook’s identity was revealed had people guessing everyone from Humphrey Bogart, Elizabeth Taylor, Senator Bob Dole to Jane Seymour. Even Richard Nixon, the former president of the United States, was believed to have been the model for the famous drawing. Cook was an English teacher in Florida when Cook, the Gerber baby, was revealed to be real.
Living Her Golden Years
Cook, who had retired from teaching, became a mystery writer and published a number of books. She is now retired and resides in Tampa. Gerber honored her occasion with a short looping Instagram video.
It is heartwarming to see Cook living in comfort in her golden years. Cook seems to be doing well on Florida’s sunny shores. She still has that bright, Gerber baby smile.
