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Christie Brinkley, the iconic blonde beauty who graced countless magazine covers and swimsuit issues, has captivated audiences for decades. However, beyond the glamour and sunshine, Brinkley’s story also encompasses resilience.

Recently, she has bravely spoken out about her experience with skin cancer, a reminder that even the most seemingly invincible icons face health challenges. This article delves into Christie Brinkley’s multifaceted life and more.

Christie Brinkley biography

Christie Brinkley, a name synonymous with sunshine, beaches and enduring beauty, boasts a career spanning decades. But before the iconic swimsuit covers and Hollywood appearances, her story began a world away from the glamour, in a small town in Michigan.

Born Christie Lee Hudson in Monroe, in the U.S. state of Michigan, on February 2, 1954, Brinkley’s early life was a far cry from the Californian coastline she’d later call home. Her mother, Marjorie, and father, Herbert Hudson, provided her with a stable upbringing.

A move to Canoga Park, Los Angeles, marked a turning point. Marjorie met and married Donald Brinkley, a successful television writer, who later adopted Brinkley (then Christie Hudson) and her brother Greg.

Brinkley attended Paul Revere Junior High before graduating from Le Lycée Français de Los Angeles. The French immersion school nurtured her interest in French culture, a fascination that would fuel a pivotal decision later on.

Despite some sources mentioning a brief stint at university, Brinkley’s heart yearned for something more adventurous. In the early 1970s, armed with her artistic spirit and newfound language skills, she embarked on a solo trip to Paris.

Paris was the launching pad for Brinkley’s unexpected career. While enrolled in art school and working as an illustrator, fate intervened. An American photographer spotted her potential and captured her first professional modelling shots.

This chance encounter opened doors to the Elite Model Management agency and Brinkley found herself navigating the world of Parisian fashion.

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Christie Brinkley career

In a chance encounter in 1973, an American photographer, Errol Sawyer, spotted Brinkley in a Parisian post office. Recognising her potential, he took her first professional modelling shots and introduced her to the Elite Model Management agency in Paris, run by John Casablancas.

Although Brinkley, a self-described “surfer girl from California”, never considered herself model material, Elite saw her star quality. There, she met fashion photographers, Patrick Demarchelier and Mike Reinhardt, who were so impressed by Brinkley that they contacted Eileen Ford, head of Ford Models in the U.S. Upon returning to California, Brinkley met with Nina Blanchard, Eileen Ford’s associate in Los Angeles.

By the end of their lunch meeting, Brinkley had secured bookings for three national advertising campaigns – an impressive feat for a newcomer. This success was just the beginning. Brinkley went on to grace numerous covers of Glamour magazine and secured a record-breaking 25-year contract with CoverGirl cosmetics, one of the longest modelling deals in history. In a remarkable return, CoverGirl even brought Brinkley back on board in 2005, featuring her in advertisements for mature skincare products.

Brinkley’s legacy is further cemented by her history with Sports Illustrated. She became the first model to appear on three consecutive covers of their coveted Swimsuit Issue (1979, 1980, and 1981).

Her association with Sports Illustrated continued for years, with appearances in subsequent swimsuit issues and television specials. She had the honour of featuring in the first Sports Illustrated calendar and released two of her own. In recognition of her contribution, Brinkley was inducted into the magazine’s Hall of Fame for both the 40th and 50th anniversary celebrations.

Beyond swimwear, Brinkley established herself as a prolific editorial model. Her captivating beauty graced over 500 magazine covers, including prestigious publications like Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and Cosmopolitan.

Throughout her career, she secured major contracts with a wide range of brands, from Chanel No. 19 and MasterCard to Diet Coke and Got Milk. Her work spanned six continents and over 30 countries, solidifying her status as a global phenomenon.

In a unique tribute to her success, Brinkley was immortalised as a doll in 1989, joining fellow models Cheryl Tiegs and Beverly Johnson in “The Real Model Collection” by Matchbox Toys.

Acting career

Brinkley’s first foray onto the silver screen came in 1983’s National Lampoon’s Vacation, where she played the unforgettable “girl in the red Ferrari”. This role not only captured the public’s imagination but also established a recurring theme in Brinkley’s acting career – playing glamorous women who leave a lasting impression.

Brinkley reprised the “red Ferrari” role in the 1997 sequel, Vegas Vacation. She played on this iconic scene in a 2008 DirecTV commercial, using clever footage from the original film. Her playful self-awareness further endeared her to audiences.

Brinkley continued to make sporadic film and television appearances throughout the years. She popped up in shows like Mad About You and Ugly Betty, often playing herself or a heightened version of her public persona.

In 2011, she made her stage debut in a London production of the long-running musical, Chicago, portraying the sassy “Roxie Hart”.

More recently, Brinkley returned to her “red Ferrari” roots with an appearance in a 2015 Infiniti commercial. This time, however, she played the wife, sending the iconic scene full circle.

Business and other works

Brinkley’s talents extend far beyond the modelling studio and film set. She has proven herself to be a savvy businesswoman with a keen eye for opportunity.

One of Brinkley’s most successful ventures has been her eponymous line of beauty products, Christie Brinkley Beauty. Launched in 1995, the line caters to mature women and focuses on natural ingredients and anti-ageing formulations.

Brinkley has also designed a successful line of eyewear, Christie Brinkley Eyewear, which offers stylish and functional frames. This venture caters to her love for sunglasses and complements her image as a beach and beauty icon.

Her creative side shines through her work as a writer and photographer. She has authored several books, including beauty guides and memoirs, sharing her personal experiences and insights. Her artistic background also manifests in her photography, where she captures a variety of subjects, often showcasing her love for nature and family.

Brinkley’s activism is another facet of her multifaceted personality. She is a vocal advocate for environmental causes and animal rights. She has lent her name and support to numerous organisations and campaigns, demonstrating her commitment to making a positive impact on the world.

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Christie Brinkley movies

Here are some of the movies Brinkley has featured in.

Films

• National Lampoon’s Vacation (1983) & Vegas Vacation (1997): These comedy classics feature Brinkley as the unforgettable “girl in the red Ferrari”, leaving a lasting impression on Chevy Chase’s character.
• Perfect (1985)
• King of the Hamptons (2011): This documentary offers a glimpse into the world of the Hamptons, a place Brinkley has called home.

Television

• Mad About You (1992-1999): Brinkley popped up in several episodes of this popular sitcom.
• Parks and Recreation (2009-2015): Brinkley landed a recurring role as “Gayle Gergich”, wife of the endearingly awkward Jerry Gergich, in this beloved sitcom.
• Ugly Betty (2006-2010): Here, Brinkley played a heightened version of herself in the quirky world of fashion publishing.
• The Goldbergs (2019): In this comic tribute to the 1980s, Brinkley makes a guest appearance.
• Robot Chicken (2001-2022): Brinkley lent her voice to this cult-favourite adult stop-motion animation series.

Brinkley has also made appearances on various talk shows and specials, including Donny!, The Masked Singer and Entertainment Tonight.

Christie Brinkley’s net worth

Brinkley has an estimated net worth of $100 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.

Christie Brinkley family

Brinkley has been married four times, experiencing both the joys and heartbreaks of love.

Her first marriage, in 1973 at the age of 19, was to French artist Jean-François Allaux. The union lasted eight years before ending in divorce in 1981.

Following a brief but tragic romance with race car driver Olivier Chandon de Brailles, who died in a car crash in 1983, Brinkley found love again with musician Billy Joel. They married in a lavish ceremony on a yacht in 1985 and welcomed a daughter, Alexa Ray, later that year. However, despite their seemingly perfect facade, the couple divorced in 1994, citing communication issues.

In a whirlwind turn of events, Brinkley married a real estate developer, Richard Taubman, just weeks after finalising her divorce from Joel. The marriage, however, was short-lived and marred by controversy when Taubman’s involvement in a bribery scandal came to light. They divorced in 1995, with Brinkley giving birth to their son, Jack Paris, just a few months prior.

Following a string of failed relationships, Brinkley married architect Peter Cook in 1996. The couple had a daughter, Sailor Brinkley Cook, in 1998. However, their seemingly idyllic life crumbled in 2006 when Cook was caught having an affair. The subsequent divorce proceedings were a bitter public battle.

Christie Brinkley age

Brinkley was born on February 2, 1954. She is 70 years old in 2024.

Christie Brinkley’s health

Brinkley recently took to social media to share her experience with skin cancer. The 70-year-old model and actress posted photos on Instagram showing the aftermath of surgery to remove cancerous cells from her face.

The good news, as Brinkley herself shared, is that the cancer, a basal cell carcinoma, was detected early.

Christie Brinkley Instagram

Christie Brinkley has an active social media presence on Instagram, with 899,000 followers as of the time of writing this article.

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