Ann Turner Cook was a teacher who, as a child, became the original face of Gerber baby food.
- Died: June 3, 2022 (Who else died on June 3?)
- Details of death: Died at her home in St. Petersburg, Florida at the age of 95.
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Gerber Baby and later life
Cook was just four months old in early 1927 when a neighbor did a charcoal sketch of her. The next year, when Gerber announced their search for images of babies for their packaging, the sketch was submitted, and the company chose it. By 1931, Cook’s face was Gerber’s logo, one of the most recognizable and enduring logos. Cook remained the face of Gerber for decades, though her identity was kept secret until 1978. Many people thought the Gerber Baby was a celebrity, with guesses ranging from Elizabeth Taylor (1932–2011) to Bob Dole (1923–2021). As an adult, Cook was a teacher in elementary school, junior high, and high school. She became English department chair at Hillsborough High School in Tampa, Florida. After her retirement from teaching, Cook wrote the mystery novels “Trace Their Shadows” and “Shadow Over Cedar Key.”
Notable quote
“I can’t think of anything nicer than to be a symbol for babies. And that’s what I think I became.” —from an interview for CBS News
Tributes to Ann Turner Cook
Full obituary: Tampa Bay Times
