Where is Farrah Fawcett’s Famous Red Swimsuit Today?

All-American actress Farrah Fawcett embodied the ’70s as one of the stars of Charlie’s Angels — and, of course, with her own 1976 swimsuit poster, which sold over 12 million copies and made this Texas Angel a worldwide phenomenon. Where is the original bathing suit that Farrah wore in the poster today? Luckily for fans, the suit is in good hands — though you might not be able to get a look at it in person any time soon.
How Farrah’s famous poster came to be
Farrah Fawcett’s swimsuit poster was released by Pro-Arts Posters in the early part of 1976, before Farrah was cast as Jill Munroe in the soon-to-be mega-hit TV show Charlie’s Angels.
The shoot was very low-key: the photo session was held at Farrah’s home, and Farrah did her own makeup and hair. Bruce McBroom was the photographer for the shoot, and the twosome created many different photo setups at Farrah’s pool. For one of the final shots, McBroom wanted to add a background, so he went to his truck, pulled out a Mexican-style rug, and placed it behind Farrah. They snapped a bunch of photos, and Fawcett herself chose the image that was sent off to Pro-Arts. And with that roll of film, they created one of the most famous images of the ’70s.
The poster was a huge success, to say the least. It sold six million copies in the first year, eventually selling over 12 million copies total.
The swimsuit poster soon appeared in the 1977 hit film Saturday Night Fever, and would go on to be seen on hundreds of TV shows and movies throughout the years.
According to the Rancho Obi-Wan Museum tour, even the mega sci-fi hit Star Wars could only keep Farrah out of the bestselling poster spot for a single month. The story goes that in 1977, when the mass-market Star Wars poster produced by Factors Etc. Inc. was released, it hyperspaced right into the #1 bestselling poster spot, kicking Farrah to #2. Yet, Farrah returned right back to the #1 spot the following month!
Farrah’s swimsuit poster was also produced on pillows, rugs, bean bags, puzzles, notebooks, tumblers, cups, mugs, posters pen set, pins, belt buckles, and iron-ons.
There is a theory that the word “SEX” was written into Farrah’s hair, put there for men to subconsciously see and buy the poster. Here is where the letter of the word is to be found on the poster: S was the right of her shoulder, E below her neck and X next to the E. But in all honestly, the poster sold 12 million copies because of Farrah’s all-American smile, gorgeous locks and California body! Farrah was the true female icon of the ’70s.
Where is Farrah’s swimsuit now now?
After Farrah’s death from cancer on June 25, 2009, her swimsuit was donated by the Farrah Fawcett Foundation to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History on February 2, 2011, in Washington, DC. Unfortunately, the swimsuit is not currently on display in the museum, though that may change in the future — fans can check their website for updates.
Also donated were a poster, a puzzle, and her personal bound Charlie’s Angels script, which contained her personal handwritten notes within the pages.

Leigh Vogel/FilmMagic
Farrah’s other collectibles
Farrah also had thirteen other posters released between 1977 and 1979. Posters included: Farrah as Holly (from Logan’s Run movie 1976), Farrah Fawcett-Majors as Holly in Logan’s Run (1976), Farrah as Jill Munroe Collage Poster (1976), Charlie’s Angels (cast shot 1976), Ms. Majors (1977), Farrah Flower (1977), Farrah Ford Motor Poster (1977), Super Farrah (1977), L.A. Farrah (1977), Farrah Paisley (1977), Farrah Blue (Playboy photo shoot, 1978), Farrah Door Poster (Playboy photo shoot, 1979), and Farrah as Ellie (Sunburn movie, 1980).

Mike Pingel
In the past few years, there have been a few new Farrah dolls created in the poster’s image. In 2011, the Farrah Fawcett Barbie, a recreation of Farrah in her famous swimsuit poster look, was released by Mattel as part of Barbie’s Black Label doll collection. In 2018, Mego released an 8″ action figure of Farrah’s swimsuit poster as part of their Legends category. Mego’s doll had 14-point articulation movement, was dressed in a red bathing suit, and came with a Mexican rug and a mini poster. Finally, in 2020, Funko Pop released their version of the Farrah Swimsuit doll (#50) in their toy line POP! Icons.

Mike Pingel
Farrah’s famous poster is still available today, sold officially through Spencer Gifts stores and online in association with The Farrah Fawcett Foundation. This poster is a larger version than its 1976 version, which was 20”x28”. The new size is 24”x36” and costs $8.99.

The Collectibles Issue
August 2019
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