Mara Khodara

Mara Khodara (born Marie Yvonne Louise Dannaud; May 10, 1947), formerly known as Mara Ruspoli, is a French socialite, former fashion model, and actress. During the 1970s, she appeared in fashion editorials, advertising campaigns, and films, working with several prominent photographers associated with European fashion and culture.

Early life Khodara was born Marie Yvonne Louise Dannaud on May 10, 1947, in Boulogne-Billancourt and was raised in Aubusson until age nine. During this time she attended art classes with Jean Lurçat. Her father, Jean-Pierre Dannaud, was a French diplomat who founded Le Mission Cultural Français in Morocco, during the reign of King Mohammed V.

Khodara graduated from the University of Besançon with a Diplôme d'études universitaires générales in philosophy in 1968.

Career

Modeling Working professionally under the name Mara Ruspoli, Khodara pursued a modeling career throughout the 1970s. She appeared in advertising campaigns and editorial photography for European fashion houses and publications.

In 1975, she appeared in an advertising campaign for Chanel No. 19 photographed by Antony Armstrong-Jones, Lord Snowdon. Khodara was also photographed for Vogue for Fendi and Valentino.

Khodara was also photographed by Elisabetta Catalano, whose work documented members of Italy's artistic, cultural, and aristocratic circles. During the same period, she appeared in fashion editorials photographed by Francesco Scavullo, including work published in Vogue. She was also photographed by Slim Aarons, whose photographs chronicled international high society and aristocratic life.

Acting Using the professional name Mara Danaud, Khodara appeared in film productions during the 1960s and 1970s. Her credited screen appearances include Piange... il telefono (1975) and Corruzione al Palazzo di Giustizia (Corruption in the Hall of Justice or Ordinary Justice, 1966).

Filmography

Personal life Khodara was first married to Sforza Ruspoli, a member of the historic House of Ruspoli. During her marriage, she was professionally and socially known as Mara Ruspoli.

She later married New York real estate developer Jacques Khodara and adopted the surname Khodara.

In a interview with the Natural Diamond Council, her daughter-in-law Claire Khodara describes Mara Khodara from an aristocratic French family and discusses the family's appreciation for heirloom jewelry. As of 2025, Khodara divides her time between France and New York.