Mardee Hoff (born Marjorie Saunders Hoff, November 4, 1914 – April 27, 2004) was an American model and artist who, in late 1935, was selected by the American Society of Illustrators as the woman with the “most perfect figure in America.”
She was the daughter of illustrator and photographer Guy Hoff and Leona (Saunders) Hoff, born in Buffalo, New York. Her nickname “Mardee” came from the name of her mother’s best friend’s cat; both supposedly had wide-set eyes.
In December 1935, she was selected from over 2,600 contestants at New York’s Commodore Hotel by the American Society of Illustrators for having the most perfect physical proportions in the country. This launched her into a whirlwind of national publicity, media clips, and high-profile modeling gigs.
Hoff became a leading “Cover Girl” model with the Harry Conover agency in the late 1930s, known for a wholesome American-girl look. She modeled for McClelland Barclay (one of the contest judges), appearing in his illustrations for Whitman’s Chocolates, magazine covers and story art (Saturday Evening Post, Cosmopolitan, This Week, etc.), film promotions (including work related to Hotel for Women and Ziegfeld Girl), and wartime efforts such as Dogs for Defense. Their professional relationship developed into a personal one; Barclay, who was lost at sea in 1943 while serving in the Navy, left her his Long Island house and personal effects in his will. She preserved many of his papers, letters, and materials, which later aided biographical research on him, and supported his posthumous recognition.
She also pursued art herself (charcoal portraits and other work are documented) and traveled extensively. She later married and was known as Mardee H. Foster. She had no children and died at age 89 in Lisbon, New Hampshire; her obituary notes her careers as a model and well-known artist.
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