Bettina L Cirone

CIRONE—Bettina, the celebrated American photographer and former Ford model whose lens captured some of the most iconic figures of the past half century, has died at the age of 92. She passed away peacefully at her New York City home on April 3, 2026, after a brief illness.

Known to many as “Betty,” Bettina began her career as a Ford model in the 1960s, appearing in major fashion magazines. She was one of Salvador Dali's favored models and a close friend. In the 1970s, she transitioned into journalism and was appointed by New York City Mayor John Lindsay's administration as the official city photographer. In this role, she documented key moments in the city's history and photographed many of its most notable landmarks.

Her work brought her into contact with prominent figures including Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, John F. Kennedy Jr., Andy Warhol, Tennessee Williams, and Mia Farrow, among others. Her photographs were published in New York Magazine, The New York Times, New York Post, Newsday, People, Architectural Digest, and USA Today.

Her work also appeared in several books, including Urban Designs as Public Policy, There's No Place Like Home: Confessions of an Interior Designer, and Hollywood Royalty: Hepburn, Davis, Stewart and Friends at the Dinner Party of the Century. A retrospective of her work was exhibited in 1995 at the New England Museum for Contemporary Art in Norwich, Connecticut.

Curator Baird Jones described her as “one of New York's most enduring celebrity photographers.” Cirone was also among the photographers who documented New York City and Ground Zero in the aftermath of September 11. Her work was featured in Aileen Ghees's Witnessing documentary and the Here Is New York exhibition.

Though she traveled and lived around the world throughout her career, she always considered New York City her home. She was an avid cyclist and continued riding through the city well into her eighties, often with her camera in hand.

Bettina is survived by her beloved cat, Kitty; her nephew Brian Cirone; her nieces Janine Cirone-Kadrie and Lauren Ryan; and a wide circle of friends who considered her family.

A viewing will take place Thursday, April 16, 2026 from 4pm–8pm at Frank E. Campbell—The Funeral Chapel, 1076 Madison Avenue, NY, NY 10028. A mass will take place on Friday with entombment to follow at Holy Name Cemetery, Jersey City, New Jersey.