Estelle Asmodelle

Estelle Asmodelle
Modelling Photo taken in Los Angeles 1999, photo taken by Ute Ville.
Born(1964-04-22)22 April 1964
Bowral, New South Wales, Australia
Died18 April 2026(2026-04-18) (aged 61)
Other nameEstelle Maria Croot
EducationUniversity of Wollongong University of Central Lancashire University of Queensland
SpouseJasmine Cooper
Websiterelativecosmos.com

Estelle Asmodelle (22 April 1964 – 18 April 2026), formerly known as Estelle Maria Croot, was an Australian polymath and transgender activist.[1] Asmodelle also worked as a model, actress, belly dancer, musician, abstract artist, and physicist.[2][3]

Asmodelle was the first Australian trans person to receive a passport with a revised gender marker.[4][5] In 1986, she was referred to as "Australia’s First Sex-Change Pin-up Girl".[6][7][8][9][10] On 13 October 1987, Asmodelle became the first legal transgender person in Australia to be recognised by the Births, Deaths and Marriages Department of New South Wales.[11][12][13]

Early life

Estelle Asmodelle was the first-born child of Silvia and Barry Croot. Her father's side of the family was Latvian and her mother's side was English. Asmodelle has one sibling. Asmodelle grew up in Berrima, New South Wales. She attended St Paul's Primary School in Moss Vale and Chevalier College.[14]

After briefly working in Sydney, Asmodelle moved to Wollongong to attend the University of Wollongong, where she pursued degrees in theoretical physics and computing science, hoping to become a research scientist.[15] She also participated in music ensembles, composing and performing experimental avant-garde music.[16][17] At university, she experienced transphobic discrimination from members of the academic staff.[18] As a result, Asmodelle left the university to focus on art and music.[19]

Activism

While touring in Singapore, Asmodelle was detained and placed under house arrest due to her passport designating her as male.[3][20] This and other travel-related challenges led her to advocate for legal reforms in Australia.[21] At the time, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade did not issue female passports to trans women.[22]

Asmodelle persistently petitioned the Attorney-General's office.[23] In 1987, she was invited by the Attorney General of New South Wales to be the first trans person to have her birth certificate amended, making her the first legally recognized trans woman in Australia.[18] Months later, her passport sex designation was also amended.[24] The following year, she lobbied for changes to anti-discrimination laws and for state hospital ethics boards to permit research into pregnancy for trans women.[4][25][26][27][28][29]

Throughout her life, Asmodelle continued to advocate for the trans community and spoke out against anti-transgender hate groups.[30][31][32][33]

Creative work

After leaving Wollongong University, Asmodelle worked as an assistant photographer while taking dance classes at the Sydney Dance Company and with a private instructor. Asmodelle performed in large female revue shows across Australia, Malaysia, Thailand, Taiwan, and Japan.[34] During this time, she also worked part-time as a photographic model. She later ended her touring career and returned to Australia to perform as a solo belly dancer.[35]

Asmodelle worked as a photographic model in Japan from 1988 to 1992.[36] During this time, she had a small role in the 1989 film 24 Hour Playboy (Ai to Heisei no Iro - Otoko).[37] After leaving Japan, she appeared in several Australian films, including the belly dancing documentary The Enchanted Dance.[38][39][40][41]

In 1986, she became known as "Australia's First Transsexual Pin-up"[42] by appearing nude in Australian Playgirl. It was the first time a trans woman had appeared nude in a mainstream magazine in Australia.[43]

Asmodelle created abstract art from childhood and began working on large canvases while studying at Wollongong University. Her art has been displayed in Tokyo, Los Angeles, and throughout Australia.[44][45][46][47][48] In 2010, she published her first art book, Transience.[49]

Asmodelle's work has been featured in numerous publications.[50][51][52][53][48][54][55][56][57] She won several art awards.[58][59][60]

Asmodelle wrote screenplays and two books. Anaesthetic Dream is an autobiography about her gender transition and struggle to be recognised as the first legal transgender person in Australia.[61][62][63][64]

From 2005, Asmodelle composed electronic music.[65][66][67][68][69][70] She released seven albums and records under the name Asmodelle.[71][72][73]

Professional and academic work

Asmodelle worked as a technical consultant in Japan and Australia. She developed several technological patents.[74][75][76] Asmodelle's designs have been cited in the engineering field.[77][78]

In 1998, she founded the internet company Ellenet Pty. Limited.[79][80] In 2016, Ellenet Pty. Limited was sold to Sandgate Solutions.

In 2008, she returned to academia, studying astronomy at the University of Central Lancashire.[81]

Academia

Asmodelle's areas of research interest were special and general relativity and its relationship to cosmology and time, and astronomy in general and theoretical physics.[82] She published multiple papers in scientific journals, including the Journal of the Institute of Science and Technology and the Asian Journal of Physics.[83][84][85][86][87][88][89] She contributed six articles on physics and space to Cosmos magazine in 2010 and 2011.[90][91] Several authors have cited her works.[92][93][94]

In May 2013, Asmodelle was featured in the Express Advocate for an introductory cosmology course she conducted at Central Coast Community College.[95]

In January 2018, Asmodelle started a PhD, on a full scholarship, at the Centre for Quantum Computation & Communication Technology, School of Mathematics and Physics, University of Queensland,[96] working in the field of quantum mechanics and relativity. Afterwards the results of her PhD were published in Nature.[97]

Death

Asmodelle died on 18 April 2026 from an undisclosed medical condition. Her family announced her death four days later on her personal Facebook page.[98]

References

  1. ↑ Inventors Weekly (NSW, Australia) Monthly magazine Friday, April 1987
  2. ↑ Ronald Russell, Alex Medvedev, 2017,'Estelle Asmodelle Biography' Spinifex Press, ISBN 9781975828011.
  3. 1 2 "'They arrested me': Australia's first legally recognised trans woman on a life in the spotlight". news.com.au. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  4. 1 2 Wood, Kirilee. "Ageing Transgender People's Experiences of Health and Health Provision". curate.curtin.edu.au. Retrieved 29 April 2026.
  5. ↑ NSW Government NSW LGBTIQ+ Health Strategy 2022-2027, https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/lgbtiq-health/Publications/lgbtiq-health-strategy.pdf
  6. ↑ Australian Playgirl Magazine for men, Number 50, Feb 1986
  7. ↑ Riseman, N., 2023,'Transgender Australia A History Since 1910' Melbourne University Publishing, ISBN 9780522879339.
  8. ↑ Majumder, A. and Tarafder, R., 2007,'A Scientific Aspect of Transgenders' Notion Press, ISBN 9781645875659.
  9. ↑ Biber K., Luker T., Vaughan P.D., 2022,'Law's Documents 1st Edition' Taylor & Francis, ISBN 9780367441517.
  10. ↑ Rowland, R., 2007,'Living Laboratories : Women and Reproductive Technologies' Spinifex Press, ISBN 9780725106997.
  11. ↑ Vaughan P., 2021,'Law's Documents - Authority, Materiality, Aesthetics' Taylor & Francis, ISBN 9781000511741.
  12. ↑ The Daily Mirror (Australia) Newspaper 13 October 1987
  13. ↑ Suresh, D. (2016). "Transgenders Problems and Administrative Response". SSRN 3768221.
  14. ↑ Highlands Post (Australia) newspaper Friday, 10 January 1986
  15. ↑ "How it all started - Estelle Asmodelle art story". 26 May 2023. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
  16. ↑ Australian Illawarra Mercury Newspaper, 15 May 1982
  17. ↑ Priest G., 1988,'Experimental Music: Audio Explorations in Australia' University of New South Wales Press, ISBN 978-1921410079
  18. 1 2 Highlands Post (Australia) newspaper Friday, 21 October 1987
  19. ↑ Nature & Health magazine (Australia) November Issue 1997
  20. ↑ Dehm, Sara. "Passport struggles: Lawful documents and the politics of recognition and refusal." Law's Documents: Authority, Materiality, Aesthetics (2021)
  21. ↑ New Idea Magazine, March 1986)
  22. ↑ "Australian Passport Office Apologises". Archived from the original on 12 March 2020. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
  23. ↑ "8 hard-won rights for LGBTI Australians". Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House. 7 September 2017. Archived from the original on 8 March 2019. Retrieved 8 July 2018.
  24. ↑ Cummings, Katherine, ed. (2010). "Australian Passport Office Apologises to Stefanie Imbruglia" (PDF). Polare. No. 82. Petersham, New South Wales: The Gender Centre. pp. 10–11. ISSN 1444-4208. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 March 2015.
  25. ↑ Australian Daily Mirror Newspaper 9 October 1987
  26. ↑ Downie S., 1988,'Babymaking - The Technology and Ethics' The Bodley Head, ISBN 978-0370311371
  27. ↑ Rowland R., 1988,'Woman Herself - A Transdisciplinary Perspective on Women's Identity' Oxford University Press, ISBN 9780195544756
  28. ↑ Smith, George P. "Parthenogenesis: New Conflicts and Opportunities for Fecundity and Reproductive Freedom." Available at SSRN 3774284 (2021)
  29. ↑ Rowland, Robyn. "Choice, control and issues of informed consent: The new reproductive and pre-birth technologies." Medicine, Science and the Law: Informed Consent, 102-120, (1986)
  30. ↑ "'Abhorrent': The trans issue taking centre stage at Mardi Gras". news. Retrieved 5 March 2022.
  31. ↑ "Anti-trans hate: The awful virus infecting Australia". Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  32. ↑ WACHSMUTH, LISA (3 June 2015). "Transgender pioneer applauds Jenner's rebirth". Illawarra Mercury. Archived from the original on 10 July 2015. Retrieved 10 July 2015.
  33. ↑ Asmodelle (31 May 2019). "This is a select list of publicity about Estelle Asmodelle's art". Asmodelle. Archived from the original on 23 September 2020. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
  34. ↑ Australian Post Magazine, 3 December 1988
  35. ↑ Sydney Morning Herald (Australia) Newspaper May 1986
  36. ↑ Penthouse Forum (magazine)|Forum Vol:2, No:1, 1991
  37. ↑ "24 Hour Playboy (Ai to heisei no iro - Otoko)(1989)". IMDb.
  38. ↑ "The Enchanted Dance on IMDB". IMDb.
  39. ↑ "Secret Fantasies on IMDB". IMDb.
  40. ↑ Star Observer newspaper (Australia), 12 July 1996
  41. ↑ Estelle Asmodelle at IMDb
  42. ↑ Australian Truth Newspaper, 30 November 1991
  43. ↑ She magazine (Australia), 13 June 1996
  44. ↑ "Artist Database". Archived from the original on 11 June 2015. Retrieved 8 October 2013.
  45. ↑ "Redfern Artists Group". Artists Group. Archived from the original on 28 September 2013. Retrieved 24 September 2013.
  46. ↑ "Arts Bark Nov 2008 Issue 41 - page 3" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 September 2013.
  47. ↑ "Abstract Expressionism - Estelle Asmodelle". Abstract Artist. Archived from the original on 17 June 2008. Retrieved 5 July 2008.
  48. 1 2 Itkonen, Anna (18 October 2023). "The Extreme Abstracts of Estelle Asmodelle". Art Lovers Australia. Retrieved 18 October 2025.
  49. ↑ Asmodelle, E, 2010, 'Transience: The Art of Estelle Asmodelle'Lulu press, ISBN 978-1446150467.
  50. ↑ "Estelle Asmodelle - Physics and abstract expressionism". the-art-blog.info. 3 November 2016. Archived from the original on 25 February 2017. Retrieved 24 February 2017.
  51. ↑ "Featured artist - Estelle Asmodelle // Xquissive". xquissive.com.
  52. ↑ "Abstract Expressionism". 16 April 2019.
  53. ↑ "Ist die Zukunft der Kunstwelt digital? - 9/14 Life not as we know it (2021), Estelle Asmodelle". 24 June 2021. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  54. ↑ "Estelle is featured in New York Glamour magazine in August 2021". NY Glamour. Archived from the original on 16 January 2022. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  55. ↑ "Estelle's artwork appears on the coer the French Arts Magazine Mozaïk No 3". Mozaïk. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  56. ↑ Nast, Condé (10 November 2022). "Louis Vuitton". Vogue Taiwan. Vogue Magazine. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
  57. ↑ "The LV Hanshin Dome store is newly opened!". Marie Claire Magazine. 10 November 2022. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
  58. ↑ "Art Show International 2021". 10 March 2026.
  59. ↑ "2020 Abstracts Art Exhibition at J. Mane Gallery". Archived from the original on 27 May 2021. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
  60. ↑ "Estelle Asmodelle @ artavita". www.artavita.com.
  61. ↑ "Anaesthetic Dream". Archived from the original on 30 September 2011. Retrieved 26 November 2012.
  62. ↑ "Los Angeles Film and Script Festival". Archived from the original on 27 October 2018. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
  63. ↑ "HOME". Best Scipt Award.
  64. ↑ "Home". Lift-Off Global Network.
  65. ↑ "Album: Electronic Mischief by Asmodelle". EvilSponge. Archived from the original on 26 July 2011. Retrieved 6 August 2011.
  66. ↑ "Vents Interviews: Asmodelle". Vents. 28 July 2010. Archived from the original on 1 September 2011. Retrieved 6 August 2011.
  67. ↑ "Issue 54 Urban Mainstream Magazine Vol#3". Issuu. Archived from the original on 18 October 2012. Retrieved 6 August 2011.
  68. ↑ "Global Music Awards: Winners - September 2015'". Archived from the original on 25 December 2018.
  69. ↑ "Asmodelle in the Global Music Awards: Winners - March 2016". Archived from the original on 27 June 2016. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
  70. ↑ "Global Music Awards: Winners - August 2016". Archived from the original on 2 November 2016.
  71. ↑ "Featured Artist: Asmodelle". Archived from the original on 28 July 2011.
  72. ↑ "Asmodelle on JJJ's Unearthed". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 12 October 2022.
  73. ↑ BothEyesShut (28 October 2013). "Asmodelle releases new LP 'Grooveatropolis'". Archived from the original on 10 March 2017. Retrieved 16 October 2016.
  74. ↑ Eternal Machines by Estelle Croot, Australian Inventors Weekly, NSW Inventors Association, Vol. 3, (April 1987)
  75. ↑ "Croot Estelle patents in Australia". www.ipaustralia.com.au. Archived from the original on 9 August 2021. Retrieved 26 November 2012.
  76. ↑ "Asmodelle, Estelle Miss patents in Australia". www.ipaustralia.com.au. Archived from the original on 9 August 2021. Retrieved 26 November 2012.
  77. ↑ Sawsan Ahmed Elhouri Ahmed, Nuha Abdallah Mohammed Babker & Mohamed Toum Fadel, "A Study on Classes of Magnetism," IJISET - International Journal of Innovative Science, Engineering & Technology, Vol. 6 Issue 4, 2348 – 7968, (2019).
  78. ↑ Babker, Nuha Abdallah Mohammed (2019). Effect of Magnetic Field and Temperature on Types of Magnetism (Thesis). Archived from the original on 20 March 2022.
  79. ↑ Sydney Morning Herald (Australia) Newspaper 26 February 2008
  80. ↑ "The coming dot AU property boom - BizTech - Technology". www.brisbanetimes.com.au. 26 February 2008. Archived from the original on 24 July 2008. Retrieved 5 July 2008.
  81. ↑ "Estelle Asmodelle". academia.edu. University of Central Lancashire. Archived from the original on 14 March 2017. Retrieved 30 October 2017.
  82. ↑ "Estelle Asmodelle PhD candidate in physics - study of relativity and time". RelativeCosmos.com - Relativity, Quantum & Cosmology. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
  83. ↑ "Articles by Estelle Asmodelle on IST Journal - IST - Institute of Science & Technology". Archived from the original on 26 June 2018. Retrieved 26 June 2018.
  84. ↑ Asmodelle, Estelle (October 2012). "The Controversy over the Presence of Water on the Moon". Journal for the Institute of Science and Technology. Archived from the original on 19 March 2016. Retrieved 30 October 2017.
  85. ↑ Asmodelle, Estelle (January 2012). "Origins: The General Theory of Relativity". Journal for the Institute of Science and Technology. Archived from the original on 19 March 2016. Retrieved 30 October 2017.
  86. ↑ Asmodelle, Estelle. "Origins: The Special Theory of Relativity". Journal for the Institute of Science and Technology. Archived from the original on 21 April 2012. Retrieved 30 October 2017.
  87. ↑ Asmodelle, Estelle. "Australian Telescopes: A Retrospective". Journal for the Institute of Science and Technology. Archived from the original on 28 March 2012. Retrieved 30 October 2017.
  88. ↑ Asmodelle, Estelle. "10 Vital Questions to 10 Notable Physicists". Journal for the Institute of Science and Technology. Archived from the original on 28 March 2012. Retrieved 30 October 2017.
  89. ↑ Asmodelle, Estelle (15 March 2015). "Einstein Editorial for Asian Journal of Physics 2015". Asian Journal of Physics. arXiv:1503.08020. Archived from the original on 25 April 2017. Retrieved 30 October 2017.
  90. ↑ Asmodelle, Estelle (4 July 2011). "Neptune's day measured to the second". COSMOS magazine. Archived from the original on 16 May 2012. Retrieved 14 June 2012.
  91. ↑ Asmodelle, Estelle (18 July 2011). "The Milky Way is a galactic cannibal". COSMOS magazine. Archived from the original on 24 April 2012. Retrieved 14 June 2012.
  92. ↑ Gribbin J., 'Einstein's Masterwork' Icon Books, ISBN 1848318545
  93. ↑ Richard Gaughan, 'Wormholes Explained' Enslow Pub Inc, ISBN 978-0766099661
  94. ↑ Fodor J., 2018,'Unreasonable Faith: How William Lane Craig Overstates the Case for Christianity' Hypatia Press, ISBN 978-1912701186
  95. ↑ "Looking at the big picture with Central Coast cosmology course". Archived from the original on 24 March 2016. Retrieved 7 May 2013.
  96. ↑ "Asmodelle's page at UQ". Archived from the original on 15 April 2018. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
  97. ↑ Foo, Joshua; Asmodelle, Estelle; Lund, Austin P.; Ralph, Timothy C. (11 July 2022). "Relativistic Bohmian trajectories of photons via weak measurements". Nature Communications. 13 (1): 4002. arXiv:2108.05169. Bibcode:2022NatCo..13.4002F. doi:10.1038/s41467-022-31608-6. ISSN 2041-1723. PMC 9276825. PMID 35821022.
  98. ↑ "It's great pain and extreme sadness I have to tell you all that beautiful Estelle passed away suddenly last Saturday April 18th at 1:10 pm. It was a medical condition that was not known about and she suffered no pain. The only silver lining is Estelle was an organ donor and she has helped three people with life saving transplants. We will all miss Estelle terribly. Her beauty, mind, creativity and in how she loved helping others. Such a big hole has been left in this world. Her loving wife Jaz and family Belinda, Ray, Chris and Tim". Facebook. 22 April 2026.
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