Cheryl Tiegs, one of America’s earliest supermodels, became a well-known figure 46 years ago, thanks to her famous pink bikini poster.
Over the years, she appeared on the covers of major magazines like Sports Illustrated, Vogue, and Time. But beyond modeling, she became an advocate for environmental issues and healthy living.
Tiegs, now 77, didn’t plan on becoming a model. A friend suggested she had the right look, which led her to small fashion shows with little pay. Her big break came at 17 when she was featured in Glamour magazine, launching her into international fame.
From there, her career took off. She appeared in multiple Sports Illustrated swimsuit editions and was even named one of Men’s Health magazine’s 100 Hottest Women of All Time in 2012.
Looking back, Tiegs has spoken about how much the modeling industry has changed. She explained that models in her era didn’t have the visibility that social media provides today. “It was more in the moment, and I liked that,” she told Artful Living.
In the 1980s, Tiegs explored acting. She appeared in TV shows like Moonlighting and Just Shoot Me and had roles in movies such as The Brown Bunny and Sharknado 4.
However, she later focused on her personal life, including her relationships and motherhood. She married multiple times and had three children, including twin sons born via surrogate in 2001.
Tiegs also dedicated time to environmental advocacy. She has worked to raise awareness about global warming and conservation, traveling to places like the Canadian Arctic and Copper Canyon in Mexico to learn about environmental challenges.
In 2016, she made headlines for criticizing Sports Illustrated for featuring plus-size model Ashley Graham on the cover.
“I don’t like that we’re glamorizing this,” she said in an interview. “It’s about health, not appearance.” Later, she clarified that her comments were about promoting a healthy lifestyle for everyone.
At 77, Tiegs stays active with yoga, good nutrition, and positive influences. She believes an active lifestyle, reading, and surrounding herself with good friends are key to well-being.
Today, she continues to be recognized for her modeling career and dedication to health and environmental causes.