In 1928, Ann Turner Cook became the first Gerber baby at 5 months old. The company’s logo was a charcoal sketch of her baby face. During her life, she embraced the role, welcoming new babies into the mix. Sadly, she will not be able to greet 2023’s winner, Madison Mendoza, as she died last year at age 95.
Madison is ready to tackle the role of Gerber’s Chief Growing Officer. She was announced on July 12, 2023, as the newest Gerber Baby. Madison and her parents, Jun and Crystal Mendoza, are proud to represent military families as dad is an Air Force doctor and lieutenant colonel.
Madison is strong-willed and adventurous, according to her parents. She had trouble breathing when she was born and was given supplemental oxygen. After a few days of that, she decided she was done and pulled out her own tubes. She was breathing just fine on her own. "She was able to tell us when she was ready to go home," Jun explained. “That kind of aligned with her adventurous, independent spirit."
Gerber President and CEO Tarun Malkani got emotional announcing Madison as the winner. “This is truly the best part of my job,” he gushed. “All babies are perfect, we know that, but I think Maddie really captured our hearts. We’re super proud to have her represent us.”
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This year’s competition was a bit different from previous years as it also asked for photos of parents as babies. Madison looks so much like her mom at that age that even grandma couldn’t tell them apart. Along with her new titles, Madison was given new Gerber clothes, a year's supply of products, and a $25,000 prize.
