Helen Ruth Elam Van Winkle amassed more than 3 million followers on Instagram and landed partnerships with brands like Tillamook Ice Cream, IT Cosmetics and more.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The great-grandmother known as “Baddie Winkle,” who was famous for her wild outfits, catchphrases and ability to be unapologetically herself, has died. She was 97.
“Yesterday, an era ended and a star ascended,” her great grand daughter Kennedy Lewis wrote on her page Friday. “She was joy, rebellion, and tenderness wrapped in one. The crown is eternal, & her love on many realms will live forever. This isn’t a goodbye, this is a See ya later my superstar.”
Helen Ruth Elam Van Winkle amassed more than 3 million followers on Instagram and landed partnerships with brands like Tillamook Ice Cream, IT Cosmetics, Sally Beauty and more.
“She was iconic,” Paris Hilton commented on the post announcing her death. “Sending love.”
She rose to fame in 2014 after Lewis posted a photo of Winkle in a tie-dye shirt and cut-off jean shorts while holding up a peace sign. So many were impressed with her vibrant and sometimes controversial style.
Her social media tag line was “stealing your man since 1928,” which trended for some time in 2016.
The great-grandmother, who had lived in Kentucky and previously lived in Knoxville, Tennessee, had said she “reinvented” her wardrobe to be more colorful after going through a dark time in her life.
Her husband died in a car accident on their 35th wedding anniversary and their son died from bone cancer, according to CNN Money.
“I can’t even explain what that did to me,” Winkle said in 2015.
Her reinvention of her wardrobe and how she thought about life resonated well with her fans of all ages.
Most comments on her posts read something to the line of “I want to be you when I grow up” and “What a baddie.”
Her popularity earned her an invite to the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles where she wore a sequin-filled sweatsuit and metallic sneakers. She said she earned the title of “best dressed” and met Miley Cyrus.
She also joined musician Kacey Musgraves for her 2019 Coachella performance.
