From model to Calvin Klein PR maven: How Carolyn Bessette established herself as a society star before meeting John F. Kennedy, Jr
Carolyn Bessette is back in the headlines more than 30 years after the model-turned-fashion publicist was foisted onto the front pages of the world.
The blonde beauty was 26 when she first met attorney, publisher and son of a former US President, John F. Kennedy Jr, when he came into Calvin Klein for a suit fitting in 1992.
Four years later she married into the Kennedy clan, which is often dubbed the US's answer to the royal family.
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Carolyn Bessette is back in the headlines more than 30 years after she was first introduced to the world. Penske Media via Getty Images
As a result, Bessette very quickly became their Princess Diana – beloved by the people and hounded by the press.
But she had her own career and success before marrying into the famous family.
As the publicist for Calvin Klein, Bessette was at all of New York's hottest parties, rubbing shoulders with a number of famous names.
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Bessette rubbed shoulders with the likes of Jennifer Aniston and Kate Moss during her days at Calvin Klein. Patrick McMullan via Getty Image
As the label's publicist, she was at all of New York's hottest parties (pictured with actor Peter Berg in 1995). Ron Galella Collection via Getty
She was photographed at a number of events with the likes of boss Calvin Klein, as well as actors Peter Berg and Jennifer Aniston at the height of her Friends fame.
Prior to stepping into the fashion world through her modelling career, Bessette had graduated with a degree in primary school education from Boston University's School of Education.
It was while at university – where she dated future NHL ice hockey pro John Cullen – that she dipped her toe into modelling and ended up on the cover of the school's 1988 calendar, called The Girls of B.U.
While the modelling career didn't pick up quite as she'd hoped for, she landed a job in a Calvin Klein boutique in Massachusetts, which quite literally changed her life.
While working as a saleswoman in Boston, a travelling sales coordinator for the brand spotted Bessette and recommended her to Calvin Klein Collection President Susan Sokol, who was looking for someone to handle the brand's celebrity clients.
The CK executive was so impressed by Bessette's poise and style, she got the job and moved to Manhattan, where she became a fixture backstage during shows.
At university, Bessette (pictured in 1992) dipped her toe into modelling. David Turner/Penske Media via Getty Images
Landing a job in a Calvin Klein boutique in Massachusetts changed her life and led her to New York. Patrick McMullan via Getty Image
"Carolyn fit the bill perfectly," Sokol told the New York Times in a 1996 interview.
"She was absolutely charming, she was completely refreshing, she was completely outgoing ... who wouldn't feel intimidated working with these kinds of people."
Bessette was a hit and sold millions worth of clothes to high-profile clients including Annette Benning and Diane Sawyer.
Bessette became a muse for Calvin Klein during her time working for his label. Eric Weiss/Penske Media via Getty Images
A former Calvin Klein employee told the New York Times Bessette became a muse for the designer, and some in the top echelons of the company would design things and say they "wonder how Carolyn would put this together".
It was through the job, she first met JFK Jr in 1992, while he was dating Hollywood star Daryl Hannah.
But just two years later, JFK Jr and Bessette were the hottest couple in the world.
She ultimately quit her job as a result of the increased scrutiny brought by her relationship with JFK Jr. Penske Media via Getty Images
She was seen frequently with JFK Jr's cousin Maria Shriver, who was married to Arnold Schwarzenegger at the time. Frank Trapper/Corbis via Getty Images
Their whirlwind romance saw the couple engaged in 1995 and married in an intimate ceremony in 1996, becoming the "It" couple of the '90s.
The hype around the pair only intensified in the years after their wedding, with paparazzi constantly outside their Tribeca apartment, something Bessette particularly struggled with.
As a result of the increased scrutiny, Bessette quit her job at Calvin Klein but with JFK Jr the man behind magazine George, the couple were spotted at a number of the biggest events in town.
Bessette was often seen with celebrities, including Ellen DeGeneres, Anne Heche and Sheryl Crowe. Steve Eichner/Penske Media via Getty Images
Bessette was often surrounded by big names, including the likes of Ellen DeGeneres and her partner at the time Anne Heche, plus singer Sheryl Crowe.
She also stepped out frequently with JFK Jr's cousin, Maria Shriver, who was married to Hollywood heavyweight Arnold Schwarzenegger at the time.
Just a few short years later, at the height of their fame, came the news of the couple's tragic death in a plane crash in July 1999, dubbed the work of the "Kennedy Curse" which haunts the famous family.
Their romance is back in the forefront with the release of Ryan Murphy's drama series Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette, with actors Paul Kelly and Sarah Pidgeon playing the famous couple.
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