Founder of Pulse Investments Kingsley Cooper, who died at age 71 on June 18 in a Florida hospital, is remembered for his sterling contribution to the fashion and entertainment sectors by his peers and political leaders.

Cooper and fellow attorney Hilary Phillips started Pulse in 1980. Cooper became the face of the company which helped develop the talents of several well-known models.

Entertainment attorney Lloyd Stanbury remembers a young Cooper.

“I attended Kingston College between 1967 and 1974 and he was the head boy when I was in third form. He was the youngest head boy at that time, I believe he was 16 years old. I just saw him as a very bright and enterprising person. He influenced me to get into the entertainment industry as a lawyer. I was really inspired by what he was doing,” Stanbury told the Jamaica Observer on Wednesday.

He said Cooper started out as owner of a sound system called Soul Construction and he later moved into event promotion.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness highlighted Cooper’s passing in a post on his official Instagram account.

“I am saddened to learn of the untimely passing of Kingsley Cooper. Kingsley Cooper, CD, was a trailblazer in the model, fashion and lifestyle sectors. His pioneering work as the founder of Pulse Model Agency in the 1980s was the catalyst that placed Jamaica front and centre in the lifestyle sector, both locally and overseas. Kingsley was phenomenal. I extend my heartfelt condolence to his family, colleagues, and friends…” the post read.

People’s National Party president and Opposition Leader Mark Golding remarked: “Kingsley Cooper was a beacon of Jamaican culture and creativity. His vision and dedication have left an indelible legacy that will continue to inspire future generations…. we celebrate the immense contributions he has made to our nation.”

Culture and Entertainment Minister Olivia Grange paid tribute on X.

“He served unconditionally and for these reasons and more he earned my love, appreciation and respect and that of many Jamaicans from all walks of life. He served for many years on the Entertainment Advisory Board which falls under my ministry. My condolences to his family…” she wrote.

Born in Kingston, Cooper blazed an enviable trail with the Pulse Modeling Agency, where his vision helped catapult models like Kimberly Mais into a major runway star.

Mais won the Miss Jamaica Fashion Model pageant in 1987, a contest Pulse initiated and promoted for several years. She later won the Miss Jamaica Universe beauty pageant in 1991. Cooper secured the franchise for that contest in 1989 with the first winner under his stewardship being Sandra Foster.

He was also responsible for the success of model Althea Laing securing the cover of Essence magazine at the age of 40 in the 1980s. Under his guidance, Nadine Willis, a former exotic dancer, became a successful model who worked in Europe.

Other models Cooper helped bring to fame were Jaunel McKenzie, Nikki Vassell, Justine Willoughby, and Juline Samuels, winner of the first Supermodel of Jamaica competition.

Event planner and marketing consultant Tracey Hamilton worked with Cooper in several capacities. She remembered him with a post on Facebook: “Life is full of uncertainties… Be and do all that you want to do and be… It is with deep sadness I say RIP to you Kingsley Cooper… You lived a full life…”

Communications specialist Carole Beckford posted on X: “Got to work with Kingsley in a number of his areas of expertise. While he was in the middle of any major decisions he remained calm. He was never flustered. His work is pioneering and should be used as a guide. Super Jam stands out. Of course, CFW. RIP.”

Cooper was promoter of the annual Reggae Superjam concert series in the 1980s. That event featured performances by Dennis Brown, Chaka Khan and Peter Tosh. He also promoted Caribbean Fashion Week (CFW) from 2001 to 2019.