Cheryl Tiegs, recognized as one of the first supermodels in America, became a cultural icon 46 years ago, largely due to her iconic pink bikini poster.
Throughout the years, she appeared on the covers of major magazines like Sports Illustrated, Vogue, and Time, but she also transformed into a champion for environmental issues and a supporter of health and wellness.
Keep reading to find out how she looks today!
Now at 77, Tiegs began her modeling journey after a friend pointed out that she had the right appearance. She initially took on small fashion shows for little pay, but her big break arrived at 17 when she was featured in Glamour magazine, which catapulted her to international fame.
From that moment, her career took off with numerous appearances in Sports Illustrated swimsuit editions, Time, and even making it onto Men’s Health magazine’s list of the 100 Hottest Women of All Time in 2012.
Reflecting on her career, Tiegs has shared her thoughts on how the modeling industry has changed over the years, noting that models in her time didn’t have the same level of visibility as they do now with the advent of social media and entertainment programs like Entertainment Tonight. “It was more in the moment, and I liked that,” she told Artful Living.
In the 1980s, Tiegs ventured into acting, featuring in shows like Moonlighting and Just Shoot Me, as well as films like The Brown Bunny and Sharknado 4 in the 2000s and 2010s.
Even with this exploration into acting, she ultimately decided to concentrate on other parts of her life, including her personal relationships and motherhood. She has been married several times and is a mother to three children, including twin sons born via surrogate in 2001.
Tiegs has also been dedicated to environmental advocacy. She has worked on raising awareness about global warming and backing conservation projects. Her travels have taken her to places like the Canadian Arctic and Copper Canyon in Mexico to gain a better understanding of environmental issues.
However, in 2016, Tiegs stirred up controversy when she criticized Sports Illustrated for featuring plus-size model Ashley Graham on the cover, claiming it promoted unhealthy body standards.
“I don’t like that we’re discussing full-figured women because it glamorizes them since your waist should be smaller than 35 [inches]. That’s what Dr. Oz said, and I’m sticking to it,” Tiegs stated on E! News. “No, I don’t think it’s healthy. Her face is beautiful. Beautiful. But I don’t think it’s healthy in the long run.”
Then, in 2017, Tiegs claimed that the media was sensationalizing her remarks, “because really all I was doing was trying to look out for the health of someone who’s too thin or going on the other side of the scale,” Tiegs said in 2017. “It’s just about finding your own healthy path. That’s all. I don’t know her; I don’t know if she’s healthy or not. That’s up to her.
At 77, Tiegs keeps herself healthy through yoga, good nutrition, and surrounding herself with positive people. Most importantly, she believes that leading an active lifestyle and enjoying activities like reading and spending time with encouraging friends is the way to go.
Cheryl Tiegs remains admired for her timeless beauty and her advocacy, merging her legacy as a supermodel with a strong commitment to the environment and healthy living.
