Darine Stern (November 16, 1947 — February 5, 1994)[1][2] was an American model and the first African-American model featured on the cover of Playboy magazine by herself.
Stern was the first black woman to appear by herself on the cover of Playboy in the magazine's October 1971 issue. Her appearance followed Jean Bell who was featured on the magazine's January 1970 cover, but with four other models.
Following her cover on Playboy, Stern went on to become a high-profile model and she was represented by Ford Models, Nina Blanchard, Ellen Hart and Shirley Hamilton Models of Chicago. She died in 1994 due to complications of breast cancer.[2]
Darine Stern's picture on the October 1971 cover served as the inspiration for Playboy's November 2009 cover featuring Marge Simpson.[3]