Matilda Jeffries

Matilda Jeffries-Zoolander (1971-2001) was journalist and first wife of famous model Derek Zoolander. She is the deuteragonist of Zoolander and a minor character in Zoolander 2.

History
In the first movie she was an investigative reporter wondering what Mugatu is doing by hiring the has-been Derek Zoolander for his "Derlicte" line. She realizes that the fashion business, which is labor-intensive, has assassinated leaders who were adverse to their methods, and Mugatu plans to assassinate the Prime Minister of Malaysia for outlawing child labor in his native country. In doing so, she falls in love with Derek and admits she hated models as she did not look like a female model and was bullied for it. She later marries Derek, having a child named Derek Zoolander, Junior.

In the second film Derek Zoolander School for Kids Who Can't Read Good and Want to Do Other Things, has fallen into disrepair. While inspecting the building for renovations, Matilda is killed when a beam falls and crushes her.

She appears at the end in the second film, where she is briefly recalled from death. She can speak to her son, Derek Jr. When Derek Senior has found a new woman, he feels guilt over doing so. Matilda then appears as an angel, giving her blessing for Derek to marry Valentina Valencia.

Trivia

 * Played by Ben Stiller's wife, Christine Taylor.