Model Dayle Haddon, a Trailblazer, Passes Away in Suspected Carbon Monoxide Tragedy

Dayle Haddon, the renowned model, actor, and advocate, passed away in her Pennsylvania home, likely due to carbon monoxide poisoning. She was 76 years old. Authorities responded after receiving reports about an unconscious person at the Solebury Township residence.

Emergency services discovered Haddon unresponsive in a second-floor bedroom on Friday morning. Alongside her, a 76-year-old man, later identified as Walter J. Blucas, was found critically injured and subsequently hospitalized. Responders registered elevated carbon monoxide levels in the house, attributing the leak to “a faulty flue and exhaust pipe on a gas heating system.” Two medics were treated for carbon monoxide exposure, while a police officer received care on-site.

Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Haddon graced the covers of prominent magazines like Vogue, Cosmopolitan, and Elle. Her notable appearance in the 1973 Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue marked a significant highlight of her modeling career. She later transitioned into acting, featuring in films such as the 1994 classic “Bullets Over Broadway,” starring John Cusack.

After her husband’s death in 1991, Haddon returned to the modeling world, facing age-related challenges. Initially told she was “not viable” at 38, she pivoted to an advertising role while advocating for the marketability of beauty products for aging women. Ultimately, she secured contracts with major brands, including Clairol, Estée Lauder, and L’Oréal, emphasizing anti-aging products for over a decade.

In 2008, Haddon established WomenOne, a nonprofit focused on enhancing educational opportunities for girls and women in underserved communities worldwide, including Rwanda and Haiti. Her early life began in Toronto, where modeling funded her ballet classes, leading to her career with Les Grands Ballet Canadiens.

Haddon’s daughter, Ryan, celebrated her mother’s legacy on social media, describing her as “everyone’s greatest champion” and an “inspiration to many.” She emphasized Haddon’s pure heart and the lasting impact she had on countless lives.