What was “model cult” Eternal Values?

In Bring Me the Beauties, former Eternal Values members described a freeing, then increasingly stifling atmosphere, as von Mierers put them on strict diets, encouraged them to cut ties with their families and—after initially encouraging them to abstain from sex—insisted they have casual sexual encounters.

And, as he monetized his teachings by selling cassettes and videos, books, supplements, psychic readings, etc., he encouraged his acolytes to buy “gem prescriptions,” sapphires and other precious stones he claimed had healing properties.

In 1990, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office started investigating von Mierers for selling gems using inflated appraisals.

Model Jacki Adams, who spoke to prosecutors at the time, says she paid von Mierers more than $100,000, noting in Bring Me the Beauties, “It was amazing how much spirituality cost.”

Von Mierers was never charged with any crimes before his death, telling Vanity Fair that former followers who accused him of cheating them were “jealous, sick, twisted people.”