Iris Apfel’s heartwarming Instagram post showed the fashionista smiling for the camera as she joked that she was “only 26” in leap years.
The former furniture designer died yesterday at the age of 102 at her home in Palm Beach, Florida.
The cause of death of the star, who was a New York style icon known for her distinctive style, has yet to be revealed.
Hours before the sad announcement, Iris made a final post on Instagram, where she made reference to 2024 being a leap year.
In the caption, she wrote: ‘On half a birthday, I’m only 26!!! Today I turn 102 and a half years old… happy leap day!’
Pictured: The final image that Iris Apfel shared on Instagram before her death at the age of 102 was announced yesterday.
The black and white photo showed Iris sitting in front of a background of silver paper streamers.
The businesswoman looked as glamorous as ever and was photographed wearing a pair of satin trousers, a voluminous coat and a stack of beaded necklaces.
Iris wore her signature black circular glasses and pulled her white hair into a sleek updo.
The interior designer, who oversaw White House renovations for nine presidencies, is seen holding some green balloons, including one shaped like a frog, that appear to have been superimposed on the image.
The image has racked up almost 290,000 likes and followers shared messages of condolences in the comments.
One responded: ‘RIP – 102 years is an incredible achievement!’
Another added: ‘He jumped to the other side in style!’
A third added: ‘Thank you for being such an incredible inspiration! Rest in peace.’
The cause of death of the star (pictured), who was a New York style icon known for her distinctive style, has not yet been revealed.
Hours before the sad announcement, Iris made a final post on Instagram, where she made reference to 2024 being a leap year.
Apfel’s signature style (chunky bracelets, layered necklaces, plus those iconic heavy-rimmed glasses) helped propel her into a late fashion icon, or a ‘geriatric star,’ as she frequently referred to herself. .
She only came to global attention in 2005, when the Metropolitan Museum of Art showed an exhibition focused on her fashion sense titled Rara Avis (Rare Bird).
She became a model at age 97 and modeled for Vogue Italia, Kate Spade and MAC.
She is also the oldest person Mattel has ever made a Barbie doll in her image.
Following the news of his death, fans took to his social media page to pay their respects.
Maria Shriver wrote: ‘Wow! What an extraordinary life #IrisApfel lived. She really did it all: she was a businesswoman, she was a model, she was a fashion icon, she was a college professor, she was the star of a documentary, she was a Barbie doll! Iris is true proof that age is just a number.
Rocker Lenny Kravitz wrote: ‘You have mastered the art of living. Thank you for your energy and inspiration.’
Actress Hannah Waddingham also paid tribute, writing: ‘Ohhhhhh. Good night and God bless you madam. What infinite joy and style you brought to so many people!’
A spokesperson for her estate confirmed the news to the New York Times and revealed that she died at her home in Palm Beach, Florida; seen with Linda Fargo in 2013
The cause of death has not been provided at this time; seen in 2015
Apfel’s signature style (chunky bracelets, layered necklaces, plus those iconic heavy-rimmed glasses) helped her become a late-life fashion icon, or a ‘geriatric star,’ as she often referred to herself. to herself; seen with Christie Brinkley in 2022
Apfel, who was a New York style icon for years, only came to global attention in 2005, when the Metropolitan Museum of Art showed an exhibition focused on her fashion sense titled Rara Avis (Rare Bird); seen with Christina Hendricks in 2016
“Thank you for sharing your beautiful life,” added designer Jenna Lyons.
“RIP icon,” one person wrote.
“We’ll miss you,” another added with a red heart emoji.
“An icon and a true inspiration,” wrote another follower.
‘Rest in the icon of beauty.’
Iris Apfel (born Iris Barrel) was born on August 29, 1921 in Astoria, Queens, New York, the only child of Samuel Barrel and his Russian-born wife, Sadye Barrel.
She began her career as a writer for Women’s Wear Daily and interior designer Elinor Johnson.
In 1948 she married her husband Carl Apfel and the duo owned a textile company until they retired 44 years later. Carl died at the age of 100 in 2015.
Iris continued to have an incredible zest for life and, at age 90, began teaching at the University of Texas at Austin.
At age 94, she was the subject of a documentary by Albert Maysles, simply titled Iris.