• Faith: Christian
• Career: Actress
• Birthday:  February 02, 1954

Christie Brinkley is a model and actress who rose to international fame after appearing on three straight covers of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue from 1979 to 1981. She became the longtime face of CoverGirl for 25 years, appeared on more than 500 magazine covers throughout her career, and partnered with numerous major fashion and consumer brands.

Christie Brinkley was born Christie Lee Hudson on Feb. 2, 1954, in Monroe, Michigan, and became one of the most recognizable supermodels of the late 20th century. Known for her all-American image, signature blonde hair, and record-setting modeling career, Brinkley built a decades-long presence in fashion, television, business, and entertainment.

Brinkley spent much of her childhood in California after her family relocated to the Los Angeles area. Her mother later married television writer Don Brinkley, who adopted Christie and her brother, Greg. She was raised in Malibu and Brentwood and attended Le Lycée Français de Los Angeles before graduating in 1972. After high school, she moved to Paris to study art, originally planning to pursue a career as an illustrator.

Her life changed dramatically in 1973 when American photographer Errol Sawyer discovered her in a Paris post office. Sawyer introduced her to Elite Model Management founder John Casablancas, launching Brinkley into the fashion world almost overnight. She quickly returned to the United States and landed several national advertising campaigns.

Brinkley’s breakthrough came with Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. She became the first model ever to appear on three consecutive covers of the magazine in 1979, 1980, and 1981, helping define the “supermodel” era. Around the same time, she signed a long-running contract with CoverGirl cosmetics that lasted roughly 25 years, one of the longest beauty contracts in modeling history. Over the course of her career, Brinkley appeared on more than 500 magazine covers and became one of the most recognizable faces in fashion.

Beyond modeling, Brinkley expanded into acting, television, business, and Broadway. She appeared in films including “National Lampoon’s Vacation” and made guest appearances on television shows such as “Parks and Recreation” and “The Goldbergs.” She also hosted lifestyle programming and launched business ventures involving skincare, eyewear, beauty products, and fashion.

In 2011, Brinkley made her Broadway debut as Roxie Hart in “Chicago,” later reprising the role multiple times in New York, London, and on tour. She also competed on “The Masked Singer” and remained active in media and entertainment well into her 60s and 70s.

Brinkley’s personal life often drew significant public attention. She was married four times and is the mother of three children. Her first marriage was to French artist Jean-François Allaux in 1975. The marriage ended in 1981.

In 1985, Brinkley married singer-songwriter Billy Joel after the two met in the Caribbean several years earlier. Their relationship became one of the most famous celebrity marriages of the 1980s, and Brinkley appeared in several of Joel’s music videos, including “Uptown Girl.” The couple welcomed daughter Alexa Ray Joel in December 1985 before divorcing in 1994. Despite the split, Brinkley and Joel remained publicly supportive of one another over the years.

Later in 1994, Brinkley married real estate developer Richard Taubman. The marriage lasted less than a year, but the couple had one son, Jack Paris Brinkley Cook, born in 1995.

Her fourth marriage was to architect Peter Cook in 1996. The couple welcomed daughter Sailor Lee Brinkley Cook in 1998 through IVF treatment. Their marriage ended in a highly publicized divorce in 2008 following allegations of infidelity.

Brinkley later spoke candidly about love, marriage, and heartbreak in interviews and in her 2025 memoir, “Uptown Girl.” She described herself as “a fool for love” while reflecting on her past relationships and the lessons she learned through them.

Christine Brinkley's Religious Beliefs

Faith and spirituality have also played a role in Brinkley’s life, although she has generally kept her religious beliefs more private than some celebrities. Brinkley has occasionally referenced prayer, gratitude, and spiritual reflection in interviews and public appearances. She has spoken about appreciating life, maintaining optimism, and finding strength through difficult seasons, including divorce, health challenges, and personal setbacks. While she has not been publicly associated with a specific ministry or outspoken evangelical platform, Brinkley has indicated that faith, gratitude, and a positive spiritual outlook have remained important parts of her personal philosophy throughout her life.