Model Lois Hamilton Survived a Car Crash—But Her Story Ended in Tragedy

Lois Hamilton, one of the most recognizable Ford models of the 1970s, graced the covers of top fashion magazines like Mademoiselle and Cosmopolitan. Known for her striking features and confident presence, she was a regular in major ad campaigns for luxury brands including Hermès, Clairol, and Chanel. Beyond modeling, she also made her mark as an actress, appearing in hit TV shows such as Three’s Company and The Dukes of Hazzard.

Born Lois Aurino in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, she combined beauty with intelligence, earning degrees in both psychology and fine arts. Her career spanned modeling, acting, and even flying—she was a licensed pilot and passionate about aviation.

She was married twice—first to James P. Aurino from 1964 to 1978, and later to Charles William Knapp from 1986 until their divorce in 1993.

Hamilton’s life ended tragically just two days before Christmas in 1999. She was staying at the Sheraton Hotel in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, when she locked herself in her room and took a fatal overdose of sleeping pills. She was reportedly struggling with depression following serious injuries from a car accident earlier that year. She was 56.

She is buried at Valhalla Memorial Park Cemetery in North Hollywood, California.