June 2024: 39 years since the most iconic national geographic cover

The cover of the Capturing the Soul case by Steve McCurry, the latest release from PDS, features the celebrated image ofthe Afghan Girl.
This photograph, taken in 1984, celebrates its 40th anniversary this year.

In June 1985, just six months later, it became the most famous, recognised, and valuable cover in the history of National Geographic.
It is hard to find someone who does not recognise this iconic image 39 years later: piercing green eyes staring into the camera, and an unmistakable red scarf draped over her head.

She is Sharbat Gula, a young Afghan refugee who was found and identified years later.
Her story inspired a follow-up article and a documentary that told the fascinating talebehind what has been called the most recognised photograph in National Geographic’s history