Birth Name : Christie Lee Hudson
Height : 5' 9" (1.75 m)
Spouse : Peter Cook (21 September 1996 - 3 October 2008) (divorced) 1 child
Richard Taubman (22 December 1994 - 1995) (divorced) 1 son
Billy Joel (23 March 1985 - 25 August 1994) (divorced) 1 daughter
Jean-François Allaux (1973 - 1981) (divorced)
Christie Brinkley Biography
Christie Brinkley is more than one of America’s most successful and recognizable models appearing on over 500 magazine covers worldwide. She also excels as an artist, writer, photographer, designer, actress, philanthropist environmentalist, and political activist. Combining her modeling experience with her artistic talents and diverse interests, Christie’s career over the years has been interesting and dynamic.
Christie has recently been on news stands with a May 2006 cover and feature article in "GOOD HOUSEKEEPING". She was also chosen to be featured in People magazines 100 Most Beautiful People issue with her daughters Alexa Ray and Sailor Lee.
Career
A Ford model for over thirty years, Christie was discovered by a photographer in Paris at the age of eighteen where she lived for 4 years as she was studying art (she speaks fluent French). Since then, Christie has become the first model to ever appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated for three consecutive years, and appeared in the publication’s annual swimsuit issues and television specials for years to follow. Christie was also the first model to be featured exclusively in the first ever Sports Illustrated calendar. (Later, she created her own best-selling “Christie Brinkley Calendars” and posters.) Christie was featured in Sports Illustrated 40th Anniversary Issue’s Hall of Fame celebrating the most revered figures in Sports Illustrated history.
Over her illustrious career Christie has held contracts with or has been involved in advertising campaigns for Chanel No 19, Prell, MasterCard, Breck, Diet Coke, Got Milk (one of the only celebs to have 2 separate mustache shots!), Healthy Choice, Max Factor, Nissan Z, Noxema, Revlon, Clairol, Borghese Cosmetics, Danskin, Nu Skin, Yardley of London, Halston, Vogue Patterns, Gottex and more. She also held a major contract with CoverGirl, the longest running cosmetics contract of any model in history. In 1987, she partnered with CoverGirl to create the video; “CoverGirl’s Guide to Make-up with Christie Brinkley.” Her line of prescription glasses and sunglasses, Christie Brinkley Perspectives, which she helps design is in its15th year with worldwide sales.
Christie, whose all-American beauty helped establish CoverGirl as one of the best-selling cosmetic brands in the U.S. recently returned to the CoverGirl family to head up a brand new division. She signed a multi-year contract to appear in national television and print ads to promote Advance Radiance Compact Foundation, marking her first campaign for the brand in almost 10 years. CoverGirl gave Christie her first “big break” in modeling with a contract in 1976, the start of a 20-year partnership that marks the longest-running cosmetics contract of any model in history. As beautiful as ever at age 52, Christie is a natural choice to represent the brand again. With her healthy Californian face, she embodies CoverGirl’s strong heritage in both cosmetics and skincare.
Her glowing, youthful complexion has always been her trademark and she is finally going to let the world know what her secret is. Christie will be sharing her beauty secrets, diet tips for the whole family and her favorite exercises right here on this site (currently under construction). Please check back to view the exiting fully interactive site coming soon.
Christie is known for her commitment to health and fitness. Christie wrote and illustrated a health and beauty book, “Christie Brinkley’s Outdoor Beauty and Fitness Guide” which topped the New York Times Best Seller list. She has raced in celebrity ski tournaments, sailed with America’s Cup Team(during practice!) and TWICE placed in the National Cutting Horse Association Futurity Championship…coming in FIRST PLACE in 1991!!!!!
Christie Brinkley is also a partner in Total Gym. More Total Gyms have been sold than any other piece of total body fitness equipment!!! Total Gym is sold worldwide via TV (infomercials & home shopping networks), retail stores, and the internet. Total Gym is celebrating its tenth year on TV as the best selling piece of total body fitness equipment in the world. Of course, you can learn about Christie’s favorite moves on total gym and nutrition tips on ChristieBrinkley.com
Artistic Endeavors
Christie used her talent and beauty to venture beyond modeling. She made her acting debut in 1983 opposite Chevy Chase in the hit feature film “National Lampoon’s Vacation” recently named one of the funniest films of all time in the upcoming Bravo Special and appeared in the 1997 sequel, “Vegas Vacation.” She has also appeared in Billy Joel’s classic music videos “Uptown Girl” and “Keeping the Faith” and “All About SOUL” as well as Mick Jones’ music video “Just Wanna Hold.”
On television, Christie has appeared on NBC’s “Mad About You” and hosted Lifetime Television’s “InStyle Celebrity Weddings,” which became the highest rated special in Lifetime’s history. Christie has also been featured in Vh1’s “Pop Culture Icons” series. Christie has been the subject of many documentaries including the HBO program “Beautiful Baby, Beautiful, and”the“E! Model Show” Lifetime’s “Intimate Portrait” and “Barbara Walters Oscar night special”. In 1992, Christie hosted a daily lifestyle program on CNN titled “Living in the 90’s with Christie Brinkley,” in which she scripted and filmed her own segments on health, style, travel, food and entertainment.
As a result of her diversified talents, Christie was able to put her artistic skill and training to work. Christie painted the cover art for Billy Joel’s 1993 triple platinum album “River of Dreams,” which was met with rave reviews. “Rolling Stone” Magazine awarded her the honor of best album cover of the year. An avid photographer, she was also Don King’s ring photographer for several major boxing events (Mohamed Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard among others). Her work appeared in Ring Magazine, Photo, and Kodak’s Ampersand. Pinnacle baseball cards asked Christie to photograph the 1996 Baseball World Series championship teams--the Indians and Braves--for her own “Christie Brinkley Collection” of baseball trading cards. She is said to be the only photographer to get Albert Bell to crack a smile.
Philanthropy.