The First Gerber Baby Was Introduced 98 Years Ago. Inside Ann Turner Cook’s Whirlwind Rise to Fame and Lasting Legacy

Kayla GrantThu, September 24, 2026 at 3:42 PM UTC

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Ann Turner Cook; Cook as a baby for GerberCredit: Gerber Instagram -

Ann Turner Cook’s face became Gerber’s official trademark in 1931 after winning a company contest as a baby

Her identity as the Gerber Baby remained a secret for 40 years, sparking speculation about her true identity

Cook later became an English teacher, a mystery novelist, and a proud mother of four children

For several decades, the Gerber brand has been a staple in the lives of parents and caretakers. At the center of that longstanding history sits Ann Turner Cook, the woman whose face has appeared on Gerber baby food jars and products since 1928.

A sketch of Cook’s face as a baby has personified the true meaning of the brand, representing the company’s unyielding commitment to creating quality products and building trust with the parents of healthy, happy babies across the world. While Cook died at 95 in June 2022, her memory continues to live on with the Gerber logo.

Here’s everything you about Cook, the first Gerber baby.

Ann Turner CookCredit: Amy Sussman/AP/ShutterstockHow Cook Became the Face of Gerber

In 1928, Gerber launched its first baby food product. Shortly after, the company decided to hold its first contest to find the face of its advertising campaign.

Artist Dorothy Hope Smith, Cook’s neighbor at the time, drew a charcoal sketch of the then-5-month-old who had “tousle-haired, bright-eyed cherub of a baby with endearing pursed lips.” According to the official Gerber website, Smith noted in her submission that she’d finish the sketch only if she won the contest.

Competing against elaborate paintings, judges fell in love with Smith’s simple drawing and chose it as the winner. In 1931, the illustration became Gerber’s official trademark, appearing on every package and advertisement and solidifying Cook’s likeness as one of the most recognized and loved across the globe.

Keeping Her Identity Secret

While Cook became the face of a global brand, her identity remained a secret for 40 years. Many people began speculating that the adorable face found on all of Gerber’s products belonged to anyone from movie stars, like Humphrey Bogart and Elizabeth Taylor, to late senator Bob Dole. Actress Jane Seymour was another popular guess for the Gerber Baby.

Although it was a secret to the world, Cook knew that she was the face attached to the company. It wasn’t until 1978, as part of Gerber’s 50th anniversary celebration, that her identity was publicly revealed. During an interview with The in 1998, she shared that her mother told her that she was the baby in the illustration early in her life.

``If you’re going to be a symbol for something, what could be more pleasant than a symbol for baby food?″ she told the outlet.

Her Connection to Fame

Reacting to the image itself, Cook opened up with the outlet about what she thought made it so popular with the world.

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“All babies are appealing,” she said. “The reason that drawing has been so popular is the artist captured the appeal that all babies have.″

While her face warmed the hearts of many around the world, Cook took on a quieter life. She went on to graduate with her master’s degree and become an English teacher. She became a published author, penning multiple mystery novels.

Ann Turner Cook with the original Gerber drawing of her face.Credit: CHRIS O'MEARA/AP/Shutterstock

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Speaking with PEOPLE about her unconventional fame in 1976, Cook said, “It’s not anything I did myself.”

“I’m more proud of having earned my master’s degree after 13 years as a housewife, of having worked my way up to chairman of the English department of a large high school, and of my 29-year marriage,” she added at the time, sharing that she fed all four of her children Gerber food when they were babies.

The Gerber Baby Photo Search

Cook’s face not only became the face of the brand, but also lived endlessly in the hearts of many parents around the world. Launching in 2010, Gerber’s Photo Search contest to find their yearly spokesbaby was inspired by the countless number of parents who saw their little one in the logo.

Since the contest began, the company has announced 16 winners: Mercy Townsend in 2011, Tate in 2012, Mary Jane in 2013, twins Levi and Paxton Strickland in 2014, Grace in 2015, Isla in 2016, Riley in 2017, Lucas in 2018, Kairi in 2019, Magnolia Earl in 2020, Zane in 2021, Isa in 2022, Maddie in 2023, Akil McLeod, more affectionately known as “Sonny,” in 2024 and Cameron Chung in 2026.

Back in 2018, Cook even got the opportunity to meet one of her fellow Gerber babies. The then-91-year-old had a special moment with the baby Lucas. In the snap, which was shared on X (formerly Twitter) by her grandson Chris Colin, the pair showed off the heartwarming smiles that fill many hearts with joy.

“My grandmother was the Gerber baby. It was a funny bit of trivia, never made her rich or got us free strained peas or anything,” her grandson captioned the photo. “But last week she got to meet the company’s newest spokesbaby, named Lucas. Pretty pretttty cute.”

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”