The woman whose adorable baby picture became the memorable face of Gerber baby food more than nine decades ago has passed away.
“Gerber is deeply saddened by the passing of Ann Turner Cook, the original Gerber baby whose face was designed more than 90 years ago to become the iconic Gerber logo,” the company announced on its Instagram page on Friday .
“Many years before she became an extraordinary mother, teacher and writer, her smile and expressive curiosity captured hearts everywhere and will live on as a symbol for all babies. We send our deepest condolences to Ann’s family and to all who had the pleasure of meeting her.”
Ann Taylor Cook holds a copy of her baby photo sketch which was used on all Gerber products in 2004. AP Photo/Chris O’Meara, file
Cook, who later became a teacher and novelist, was 95 years old. She became the face of Gerber after a neighbor submitted a sketch of her to the company in 1928 in response to an open call for faces for a new advertising campaign.
“I was probably about 3 years old when my mom pointed to a baby food jar and said that was my picture,” Cook said in a 2013 interview with CBS Sunday morning. “I thought it was quite a beautiful thing.”
The company kept her identity a secret for decades before revealing it in 1978.