Christie Brinkley

Christie Brinkley
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Name	Christie Brinkley
Birth name	Christie Lee Hudson
Birth date	2 February 1954
Birth place	Monroe, Michigan, U.S.
Occupation	Model, actress, entrepreneur, activist
Years active	1973–present
Spouse	Jean-François Allaux (m. 1973; div. 1981), Billy Joel (m. 1985; div. 1994), Richard Taubman (m. 1994; div. 1995), Peter Cook (m. 1996; div. 2008)

Christie Brinkley is an American model, actress, entrepreneur, and activist who became one of the most iconic figures in the fashion industry during the late 20th century. Renowned for her classic All-American girl appearance and remarkable career longevity, she gained legendary status through her historic three consecutive covers for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue in the late 1970s. Her work transcended modeling, leading to successful ventures in business, film, and television, alongside dedicated advocacy for environmental and animal welfare causes.

Early life and career beginnings

Born Christie Lee Hudson in Monroe, Michigan, she spent much of her youth in Los Angeles after her family relocated to California. She initially pursued studies in art at the Lycée Français de Los Angeles and later attended the University of Georgia before traveling to Paris to study painting. While in France, she was discovered by a photographer from the Elite Model Management agency, which marked a pivotal turn from her artistic ambitions. Her first major modeling assignment was for a CoverGirl advertisement, quickly establishing her as a fresh face in American advertising. This early exposure led to contracts with other major brands and appearances in prominent magazines, setting the stage for her breakthrough.

Modeling career and Sports Illustrated

Her career reached a defining zenith with her association with the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, where she appeared on the cover for three consecutive years from 1979 to 1981, an unprecedented achievement at the time. This exposure made her a household name and cemented her status as a supermodel. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, she was the face of major campaigns for CoverGirl, Mercury Marine, and Diet Pepsi, among others. Her memorable appearance in the music video for "Uptown Girl" by Billy Joel, whom she later married, further amplified her mainstream celebrity. She maintained a prolific presence in magazines like Vogue, Glamour, and Rolling Stone, demonstrating exceptional career longevity in an industry known for rapid change.

Business ventures and other work

Leveraging her fame, she successfully expanded into various entrepreneurial and entertainment endeavors. She launched her own line of skincare and cosmetics, Christie Brinkley Authentic Skincare, and authored several books on beauty and wellness. In the realm of acting, she appeared in films such as "National Lampoon's Vacation" and its sequel "Vegas Vacation," and on Broadway in "Chicago." She also competed on the eighth season of "Dancing with the Stars" and has been a recurring guest on shows like "Parks and Recreation." Her business acumen extended to real estate investments and a longstanding collaboration with the Total Gym fitness company.

Personal life

Her personal life has often been the subject of significant media attention, particularly her high-profile marriages. Her first marriage was to French artist Jean-François Allaux, followed by her most publicized union with musician Billy Joel; their daughter is singer-songwriter Alexa Ray Joel. Subsequent marriages included real estate developer Richard Taubman and architect Peter Cook; she has two other children. She has resided primarily in the Hamptons on Long Island and maintains an active, health-focused lifestyle. Her experiences, including a highly publicized divorce from Cook, have been discussed in interviews and media outlets like "The Oprah Winfrey Show."

Philanthropy and activism

A dedicated activist, she has long championed environmental protection and animal rights causes. She is a prominent supporter of organizations such as the Humane Society of the United States and PETA, advocating against cosmetic testing on animals and for wildlife conservation. Following the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, she traveled there to support relief efforts and has been involved with the American Red Cross. Her environmental advocacy includes work with the Natural Resources Defense Council and promoting renewable energy and anti-fracking initiatives. She has also used her platform to support breast cancer awareness campaigns and children's health charities.

Category:American models Category:American actresses Category:American businesswomen Category:1954 births Category:Living people