How Donatella Versace Would Look At 68 If She Never Used Botox: 5 Photos via AI
- For many years, Donatella Versace has been in the limelight, not just for her contributions to the fashion world but also for her distinctive personal style.
- In her late 60s, she maintains a youthful appearance, which she attributes to regular workouts, hair bleaching, and Botox.
- In this feature, we step into an alternate reality to answer an intriguing question: What would Donatella look like at 68 if she had never used Botox?
Paul Beck and Donatella Versace at the Moda Italia Gala, circa 1989 in New York City | Source: Getty Images
Donatella Versace is one of the most influential and iconic fashion designers in the world, but she is also known for the dramatic and controversial changes in her appearance over the years. From her platinum blonde hair to her wrinkle-free skin, Donatella is believed to have experimented with various cosmetic procedures and treatments to achieve her desired look.
Elton John, Donatella Versace and Steven Seagal attend the 12th Annual Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) Awards, circa 1993 in New York City | Source: Getty Images
To illustrate how Donatella's hair and face have evolved over the years, we have collected some photos of her from different periods of her life, starting from 1993. We have also used an artificial intelligence tool to generate some images of how Donatella might have looked like if she had aged naturally, without using any cosmetic procedures or treatments. These images are not meant to be accurate or realistic but rather to show a possible alternative scenario.
Gianni and Donatella Versace at a Versace fashion show in Paris, France on January 23, 1993 | Source: Getty Images
Born in 1955 and the youngest of four siblings, Donatella has held the positions of Vice President and Artistic Director at Gianni Versace SpA since 1978. This renowned Italian fashion house was established by her late brother, Gianni Versace, whose legacy she has not only continued but also transformed since his untimely death in 1997.
Gianni Versace, Donatella Versace, and Elton John attend the 12th Annual Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) Awards, circa 1993 in New York City | Source: Getty Images
Her sophisticated and glamorous designs have garnered worldwide attention, drawing in both celebrities and global customers. Donatella shared a special bond with Gianni, who invited her to be a part of his fashion journey in Milan. She served as his muse and collaborator and also introduced her own fashion lines, Young Versace and Versus.
Donatella and Gianni Versace at Vogue Magazine's 100th Anniversary celebration on April 02, 1993 | Source: Getty Images
Together, Donatella and Gianni were pioneers in the fashion industry, creating iconic styles and collaborating with famous artists like Madonna, Prince, and Elton John. Their designs, known for their boldness and glamour, often featured vibrant colors, animal prints, leather, and gold.
Gianni and Donatella Versace at the launch for their new fragrance "Versace's Blonde," circa, 1996 | Source: Getty Images
Some of their most memorable creations include the green dress worn by Jennifer Lopez at the Grammy Awards ceremony in 2000 and the safety pin dress worn by Elizabeth Hurley in 1994. Sadly, on July 15, 1997, a tragic event unfolded when Gianni was fatally shot outside his home in Miami Beach.
Donatella Versace attends the 1997 VH1 Vogue Fashion Awards, circa, 1997 | Source: Getty Images
This heartbreaking incident deeply affected Donatella, who shared a close bond with her brother. It also posed a monumental challenge for her — she was tasked with taking over the company and carving out her own distinctive style and vision. After taking an extended break from Gianni Versace SpA, Donatella returned to take on the roles of chief designer and vice president of the board.
Donatella Versace attends the VH-1 Divas Live concert, circa 1999 | Source: Getty Images
In the division of the company, Donatella received a 20% stake, while Santo was given 30%, and Allegra, Gianni's niece, inherited the remaining 50%. As the artistic director and vice president, Donatella was confronted with the dual challenge of preserving her brother's legacy and simultaneously forging her own unique path.
Donatella Versace attends the Prince's Foundation Gala Dinner in London, England on June 20, 2000 | Source: Getty Images
She said, "If I could go back and give advice to my younger self at that moment, I would say to myself, 'Be strong and stay true to yourself. Oh, there are a lot of things I would love to say! But most of all, follow your own instincts, and don't try to be Gianni.'" She successfully reinvented the Versace aesthetic, earning critical praise and a reputation for sophistication, particularly in women's fashion.
Donatella Versace attends the amfAR Charity Gala during the 61st International Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France on May 22, 2008 | Source: Getty Images
She also broadened the company's global influence and celebrity connections, involving them as models, muses, and collaborators. Donatella stated, "Now, I feel like the death of my brother made me strong. But for a long time, it was a trauma."
In addition to being an entrepreneurial mogul, Donatella is also a mother to Allegra and Daniel, whom she shares with her former spouse, Paul Beck, and has navigated numerous challenges as a parent.
Donatella Versace attends the 2018 CFDA Fashion Awards on June 4, 2018 in New York City | Source: Getty Images
These include dealing with the devastating loss of Gianni, overcoming personal addiction, and maintaining a balance between her professional commitments and family life. She has been a pillar of support for her daughter, Allegra, who battled anorexia and inherited half of the Versace empire upon turning 18.
Donatella Versace attends the 2023 Vanity Fair Oscar Party on March 12, 2023 in Beverly Hills, California | Source: Getty Images
At 68, Donatella has managed to maintain toned, tawny skin, a slender waist, and youthful hips. When queried about her secret to maintaining her youth, she responded, "Haven't you heard? I sleep every night in the deep freezer!" But on a serious note, she attributes her look to working out regularly, bleaching her hair, and Botox, "only on my face, not on my body, that's the result of hard work."
Donatella Versace in her 60s via AI | Source: Midjourney
Donatella Versace in 1996 vs 2005 | Source: Getty Images
But renowned plastic surgeon Dr. Steve Fallek opines, "She's pretty much had it all. Botox, fillers, lasers for the skin." He also believes she has undergone a facelift, eyes and brow lift. Dr. Bruce Katz from Juva Skin & Laser Center in New York City concurs that Donatella has undergone some cosmetic procedures.
Donatella Versace in her 60s via AI | Source: Midjourney
Donatella Versace in 2001 vs 2010 | Source: Getty Images
He suggests that she has had her cheeks augmented, likely with filler, and her lips filled. He notes her eyelids appear slightly droopy, possibly due to poor Botox application, and suggests she could benefit from some filler in her stretched ear lobes. Dr. David Rapaport also believes that Donatella has had some work done.
Donatella Versace in her 70s via AI | Source: Midjourney
Donatella Versace in 2001 vs 2012 | Source: Getty Images
He observes, "From 2002 on, her face seems to have more artificially defined fullness, where now her lips seem to be overinflated." He highlights a distinct facelift scar in front of her temple area, suggesting that she has indeed had a facelift. This procedure might have led to her cheeks and lips appearing overinflated. He further notes that her nose seems to be natural.
Donatella Versace in her 70s via AI | Source: Midjourney
Donatella Versace in her 70s via AI | Source: Midjourney
He proposes that a facelift, probably carried out between 2011-2014, is the primary cosmetic procedure she has had. He also observes that her hairline seems unusually high, which could be the result of multiple procedures, although this remains unconfirmed.
Donatella Versace in 1999 vs 2023 | Source: Getty Images
Donatella's hair journey began when she was only 11 years old when her brother and mentor Gianni encouraged her to bleach her natural brown hair to a blonde shade. She said, "I was his doll and his best friend. He dressed me up in cool clothes, took me out to discos and clubs from when I was 11. I loved it. It was the best time of my life."