Who is Christie Brinkley? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Also Known As: Christine Lee Hudson

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Billy Joel (1985–1994 div.), Jean-François Allaux (1973–1981 div.), Peter Cook (1996–2008 div.), Richard Taubman (1994–1995 div.)

father: Herbert Hudson

mother: Marjorie

children: Alexa Ray Joel, Jack Paris Brinkley Cook, Sailor Lee Brinkley-Cook

Models Actresses

Height: 5'9" (175 cm), 5'9" Females

U.S. State: Michigan

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Career

Christie Brinkley was in Paris, studying art, when she grabbed the attention of American photographer Errol Sawyer in a post office. Sawyer was the first photographer who made her portfolio and introduced her to John Casablancas, the founder of Elite Model Management agency. Brinkley’s fortunes turned rapidly from this point. She met with Patrick Demarchelier and Mike Reinhardt, two renowned fashion photographers, and was introduced to Eileen Ford, the co-founder of Ford Models. Brinkley went to California and met with Nina Blanchard, an associate of Eileen Ford, and grabbed three national advertisement campaigns.

Brinkley appeared on the cover of ‘Glamour,’ a women's magazine, multiple times and made a name for herself as a model. She was offered an astonishing 25-year long modeling contract by the American cosmetics brand ‘CoverGirl’. Once this contract expired, she was again signed to promote their mature skin care products.

Brinkley was the first female model to feature on the cover of ‘Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue’ in three consecutive years. She posed for the magazine in 1979, 1980, and 1981. She later appeared in their ‘40th Anniversary Issue's Hall of Fame’ as well as ‘50th Anniversary The Legends’ specials. She has also posed for ‘US’, ‘Rolling Stone’, ‘Vogue’, and ‘Harper's Bazaar’ and has represented top brands like ‘MasterCard’, ‘Diet Coke’, ‘Anheuser-Busch’, ‘Nissan’, ‘Revlon’, ‘Yardley of London’, and ‘Black Velvet’.

After earning popularity as a model, Brinkley entered the show business as well. She was featured in ‘National Lampoon's Vacation’, and later in the sequel, ‘Vegas Vacation’, as ‘The girl in the red Ferrari’. She performed in the long-running musical ‘Chicago’ as ‘Roxie Hart’; she also reprised her role in Broadway later. She appeared in ‘Mad about You’, ‘Celebrity Weddings InStyle’ (as a host), ‘Today Show’, ‘Jack and Jill’, and ‘Parks and Recreation’.

Brinkley runs a chain of businesses through her umbrella company CB Inc. Her businesses include beauty products, eyewear, sparkling wine, real estate, as well as hair extensions. She has developed an industry worth over US$250 million.

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Personal Life

Christie Brinkley was born in Monroe, Michigan, on February 2, 1954, to Herbert Hudson and Marjorie. Her mother later married television writer Don Brinkley, who adopted her and her brother Greg Brinkley. She went to Paul Revere Junior High School and later enrolled at Le Lycée Français de Los Angeles. Afterwards, she went to Paris to study art.

Brinkley has been married four times in her life. Her first marriage was with Jean-François Allaux in 1973 which ended in a divorce in 1981. She then married musician Billy Joel in 1985. She appeared in his shows too. The couple has a daughter named Alexa Ray Joel. Later in 1994, they ended their marriage in a divorce.

Christie Brinkley married Richard Taubman in 1994, and within a year, they divorced. They had one son, Jack Paris Brinkley. Her last marriage was with architect Peter Halsey Cook in September 1996. They have a daughter named Sailor Brinkley-Cook. Brinkley and Cook ended their twelve-year long marriage in 2008 with a divorce.

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Christie Brinkley Biography