Fast Facts About Cara Delevingne

Publish date: 2024-05-09

Cara Delevingne was raised in the affluent Belgravia neighborhood of London to property developer Charles Delevingne and society lady, Pandora, a descendant of the publishing tycoon, Sir Jocelyn Stevens, and the aristocratic Jane Sheffield, per Vogue. Born into a wealthy home, her parents frequently welcomed celebrity guests, including Madonna (though the adolescent Delevingne was more interested in watching TV than meeting the queen of pop) and Joan Collins, who is her godmother

Despite her privilege, the model had a difficult childhood, as she watched her mom struggle with substance misuse. "You grow up too quickly because you're parenting your parents," she admitted to Vogue. "My mother's an amazingly strong person with a huge heart, and I adore her. But it's not something you get better from."

A gifted and precocious child, she already had the reading ability of a 16-year-old by the age of 9. However, she was diagnosed with dyspraxia and developed anxiety and depression, spending much of her schooling with mental health services. In an interview with Esquire, she acknowledged her social advantages but was saddened that people assumed she had no reason to be depressed. "I realized how lucky and privileged I was, but all I wanted to do was die," she disclosed. "I felt so guilty because of that and hated myself because of that, and then it's a cycle." Reflecting on her childhood trauma in Vogue, she gave her younger self some words of wisdom, "Love yourself ... accept yourself, be yourself."

If you or anyone you know needs help with addiction issues, help is available. Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or contact SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

If you or someone you know needs help with mental health, please contact the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741, call the National Alliance on Mental Illness helpline at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), or visit the National Institute of Mental Health website.

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