The first Black supermodel is facing a lawsuit from a man who she accused of threatening to kill her and her pets.

A golf pro wants Beverly Johnson, the first Black woman to have a Vogue magazine cover photo, to pay him $5 million for defamation.   Mark Anthony Burk, who reportedly dated Johnson, claims that her allegations defamed his character and damaged his sports career.  The California lawsuit also alleges infliction of emotional distress.

Johnson filed an initial lawsuit against Burk, which drew his legal response.

The modeling legend previously accused at least one other boyfriend of abuse.

Johnson's career paved the way for Tyra Banks, Veronica Webb and other successful Blacks to work the runway, decades after her Vogue shoot in 1974.