About
Christie Brinkley is often described as the original “all-American supermodel.” Her sunny smile landed on an unprecedented three consecutive Sports Illustrated Swimsuit covers from 1979-1981, followed by a record 25-year run as the face of CoverGirl and more than 500 magazine covers worldwide. Today, the Monroe-born, California-raised star still turns heads—whether dazzling in a fiery red mini at the 2024 Sports Illustrated launch party or chatting about her brand-new memoir Uptown Girl, a bestseller that pulls back the curtain on life in front of and away from the camera.
Brinkley’s ambitions stretch beyond modeling. She paints, photographs, and designs; she’s acted on Broadway (Chicago) and television (Parks and Recreation); and she pours passion into Bellissima, her vegan, organic-grape prosecco line that champions sustainable farming. Activism is another through-line: she lends her voice to environmental causes and animal-rights campaigns with the same enthusiasm she once brought to photo shoots.
Before Fame
Christie Lee Hudson was born on February 2, 1954, in Monroe, Michigan, and grew up in Southern California after her mother married television writer Don Brinkley, who later adopted Christie and her brother. She attended Paul Revere Junior High and Le Lycée Français de Los Angeles, picking up fluent French before flying to Paris in 1972 to study art.
While mailing a letter in a Paris post office in 1973, the 19-year-old art student caught the eye of American photographer Errol Sawyer. His quick test shots—and a phone call to Elite Model Management founder John Casablancas—launched a career that would soon carry her to New York, Vogue editorials and, within a year, her first Sports Illustrated assignment.
Trivia
- Sports Illustrated hat-trick: Brinkley remains the only model to grace three straight SI Swimsuit covers (’79, ’80, ’81).
- Girl in the Ferrari: Her playful cameo opposite Chevy Chase in National Lampoon’s Vacation (1983) became so iconic that she reprised it 14 years later in Vegas Vacation.
- Crash course in gratitude: A 1994 heli-skiing accident in Colorado left her with minor injuries but a major shift in perspective; she still marks the date each year as a reminder to savor life.
- Age-defying firsts: At 63 she posed alongside daughters Alexa Ray and Sailor for SI, proving beachwear has no expiration date, and at 70 she stole the 2024 SI red carpet described earlier.
- Lifestyle choices: A long-time vegetarian, she backs cruelty-free beauty lines and promotes sun safety after multiple skin-cancer scares.
Family Life
Brinkley’s personal story is as eventful as her portfolio. She wed French artist Jean-François Allaux straight out of her teens, though they divorced in 1981. In 1985 she married music legend Billy Joel—they share daughter Alexa Ray, whose name honors Ray Charles. A brief marriage to developer Richard Taubman produced son Jack (later adopted by Peter Cook). Her fourth marriage, to architect Cook, brought daughter Sailor before ending in 2008. Despite public splits, Brinkley says her blended clan “laughs loud and loves hard,” a sentiment on display in a rare 2024 Mother’s Day photo of the model beaming beside all three adult kids.
Home base is the Hamptons, where she gardens, paints seascapes, and invites her children—and their dogs—to raid the fridge whenever they like. The relaxed coastal setting, she insists, keeps family ties strong even when everyone’s schedules pull them in different directions.
Associated With
- Billy Joel: Brinkley starred in his classic “Uptown Girl” video and inspired lyrics in several songs. Their creative partnership continues as she promotes her memoir and he tours with their daughter occasionally joining him onstage.
- Dolly Parton: In 2023 Brinkley publicly nominated the country icon for a future SI Swimsuit spread, praising Parton’s confidence and philanthropy.
- Cindy Crawford & fellow supermodels: From 2024 book chats with Crawford to throwback catwalks with Naomi Campbell, Brinkley relishes cheering on her ’80s-era peers.
- Chevy Chase & Broadway co-stars: Acting stints in Vacation films, Chicago on Broadway, and sitcom guest roles link her to stars across Hollywood and theater.
