First African-American model to make the cover of VOGUE magazine (1974).
Was in a longterm relationship with actor Chris Noth.
Was one of 35 women who related their sexual harassment stories to "New York" magazine during the 2018 trial of Bill Cosby that ultimately led to his guilty verdict.
Her first model agent, Eileen Ford , told her "You'll never be on the cover of Vogue." She quit the agency and went to the rival agency Wilhemina.
Her mother Gloria dreamt of being a model but never had the chance.
Has four grandchildren: Ava Brielle Patterson (b. July 6, 2011), David Bernard Patterson III (b. November 6, 2012), Dean Danny Benjamin Patterson (b. June 20, 2014), and Ashton Joseph Barnes (b. December 8, 2018).
In July 2020, she got engaged to Brian Maillian after over a decade together. On October 15, 2023, her 71st birthday, they got married in Las Vegas.