Gerber’s original baby, Ann Turner Cook, died on Friday, according to an announcement from Gerber on Instagram.
“Gerber is deeply saddened by the death of Ann Turner Cook, Gerber’s original baby, whose face was drawn to become Gerber’s iconic logo more than 90 years ago. – a mother, a teacher and an extraordinary writer, her smile and expressiveness, curiosity captured hearts everywhere and will continue to live as a symbol for all babies.We are our deepest condolences to the family of Ann and to anyone who has had the pleasure of meeting her, “the announcement read.
Meet the Gerber Baby, all big 04:15
Cook, who was born in 1926, was just a few months old when an artist and neighbor named Dorothy Hope Smith drew her face with charcoal. In 1928, Gerber organized a face-to-face contest to represent a baby food advertising campaign, and Smith presented his sketch of an adorable, bright-eyed baby, noting that he would finish drawing if he won. according to Gerber’s website.
Smith won the contest and Cook’s illustration remained a sketch that helped launch the Gerber brand. In 1991, Gerber adopted it as its official brand, according to its website. Since then, baby Gerber has appeared on all of Gerber’s packaging and advertisements.
Photo credit: Gerber Products / AP)
Cook’s identity was kept secret until 1978. A survey was conducted in the United States to guess the identity of baby Gerber, with answers ranging from Elizabeth Taylor to Bob Dole.
“I was probably about 3 years old when my mother pointed out a jar of baby food and said this was my picture,” Cook told CBS Sunday Morning in 2013. “I thought it was a pretty lovely thing.”