The supermodel who vanished: Karen Mulder exposed sexual abuse in the modelling industry, then disappeared from public life for 25 years - now she says she was 'forced into silence'

Karen Mulder, the Dutch supermodel whose explosive 2001 allegations against powerful men in the modelling industry sparked controversy and led to her disappearance from public life, has resurfaced after 25 years of silence. She recently claimed in an interview with German Vogue that she was “forced into silence” following her revelations of widespread sexual abuse, which included being drugged and raped by influential figures such as politicians and police officers. The interview came to light amid a funeral service held in April 2024 at the Church of Saint-Roch in Paris, where Mulder attended alongside notable figures such as former French First Lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, filmmaker Luc Besson, and Alain Delon's son Anthony Delon. The event marked the passing of Karen’s former partner and longtime friend, Jean-Yves Le Fur, a property developer and publisher who had died at 59 after battling cancer. This was the first time in nearly two decades that Mulder had been publicly visible beyond private circles, drawing attention to her sudden return to the limelight. In 2001, at age 32, Mulder appeared on the French television show Tout Le Monde En Parle (Everybody’s Talking About It), where she detailed her experiences of systemic abuse within the modelling industry. Her claims were described as shocking and included allegations of being drugged and raped by several powerful men. However, the interview was never aired, and the recording was reportedly deleted by the show’s host, who dismissed the account as a “paranoid delirium.” Despite this, the content was leaked, leading to public scrutiny. Following the incident, Karen’s younger sister, Saskia, took her to a psychiatric clinic. After a five-month stay, Karen retracted her claims, describing them as a “cry for help.” Since then, she has remained largely absent from public view, with little information available about her activities or well-being. Now 57, Karen has broken her silence in a recent interview with German Vogue, revealing that she had been truthful in her initial accusations. She stated that she was compelled to recant due to pressure and threats, emphasizing that she endured “horrible, inhumane things” during her time in the spotlight. “I thought that because I'm famous, people would believe me,” she said. “All I wanted was for all these bad things to stop, for men to stop thinking they could do whatever they wanted.” Her claims have reignited discussions about the prevalence of sexual exploitation in the entertainment industry, particularly in an era predating movements like #MeToo. Prominent Dutch celebrity photographer William Rutten, who worked with Karen shortly after her release from the clinic, believes her recent decision to speak out was influenced by recent revelations about similar issues in other industries. He expressed confidence that her story would resonate with current audiences seeking greater transparency and accountability. Mulder’s reappearance has prompted renewed interest in her past and the circumstances surrounding her alleged abuse. While some have questioned the validity of her claims, others argue that her experience reflects broader patterns of power dynamics and systemic injustice faced by women in the entertainment sector. As the conversation continues, the focus remains on understanding the full scope of her ordeal and the implications of her decision to come forward after such a long period of silence.