Jerry Gogosian Creator Hilde Lynn Helphenstein Dies at 40 in São Paulo

Hilde Lynn Helphenstein, the anonymous Instagram satirist behind the popular meme account Jerry Gogosian, was found dead yesterday at the Rosewood São Paulo hotel in Brazil. She was 40. Brazilian media outlets Veja São Paulo and Globo reported that a plastic surgeon, who had been unable to reach Helphenstein during her three-week trip for a cosmetic procedure, alerted hotel staff. Upon entering her room, staff found her unconscious. The hotel confirmed her death and is cooperating with authorities. Helphenstein launched Jerry Gogosian in 2018 while recovering from an illness, posting acerbic memes and insider gossip about the art world. Her identity was revealed in 2020 by Artnet News columnist Kenny Schachter. She later earned an MBA, curated a Sotheby's show, and hosted the podcast Art Smack. Last summer, she announced plans to end the account, saying she had outgrown it. Her final post, three days ago, encouraged her 145,000 followers to "let the rich woman inside of you fly." The Rosewood São Paulo, the U.S. Embassy in Brazil, and United Talent Agency (which began representing her in February 2024) have not commented. The story is developing.