Article Summary

This article tells the story of Hoyt Richards, a top male model from the 1980s and '90s, who says he spent 15 years under the control of a cult called Eternal Values led by a former model turned guru, Frederick von Mierers. It describes how Richards and others were drawn in by promises of meaning and belonging, only to lose their money, freedom, and connections—now sharing their experiences in a new HBO documentary. While the article builds its case with personal testimony and vivid details, it relies heavily on anecdote and lacks independent verification for some of the more extraordinary claims.