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.

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.