Gail O’Neill dead at 61: Former Sports Illustrated model and CBS correspondent mourned as cause of death unknown

FAMED Sports Illustrated model and CBS correspondent Gail O’Neill has died at 61.

O’Neill was recognized as a top fashion model and for her later role as a co-host of CBS’ The Early Show.

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She died on October 10, according to Deadline.

A cause of death has yet to be specified.

However, ArtsATL – where O’Neill had been editor-at-large – shared that she had been battling a “serious illness” for the last two years.

O’Neill was featured on the cover of several acclaimed magazines, including Vogue, and starred in advertisements for Coca-Cola, Avon, and Revlon.

She also modeled for top brands like Calvin Klein, Perry Ellis, Donna Karan, Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, and more.

O’Neill was famously featured in the 1992 swimsuit edition of Sports Illustrated.

During her modeling career, O’Neill also partnered with Naomi Campbell and several others to be some of the earlier members of the Black Girls Coalition, created by Iman and Bethann Hardison as an advocacy group for Black models in the industry.

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O’Neill was born to Jamaican immigrants in Westchester, New York.

She was discovered in the 1980s while working a marketing job at Xerox.

A year later, she landed on the cover of British Vogue magazine.

In addition to her modeling work, O’Neill eventually wound up in television.

She appeared on The Early Show on CBS when it premiered in 1999.

In addition, she hosted CNN’s Travel Now, and Mission Organization and Public Places, Private Spaces for HGTV.

Until her death, O’Neill was working in Atlanta for ArtsATL.

Tributes have poured in for the late model and television host.

“Everyone who knew Gail O’Neill feels a deep sense of loss right now. She was a beacon of light, and shined brightly. I’m honored to have been her friend and editor,” ArtsATL editor Scott Freeman wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

“One of the top models who inspired me to become a model when I was a little girl,” another wrote.

“May she Rest In Power,” someone else said.