Christie Brinkley is a renowned American model famous for her record-breaking three consecutive Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue covers (1979-1981). Her successful modeling career spans over two decades, gracing over 500 magazine covers and representing prominent brands, including a 25-year partnership with CoverGirl.
February 2, 1954: Birth of Christie Brinkley
Christie Brinkley was born on February 2, 1954, in Monroe, Michigan.
1972: Move to Paris
After graduating from Le Lycée Français de Los Angeles in 1972, Christie Brinkley moved to Paris to pursue her interest in art.
1973: Marriage to Jean-François Allaux
Christie Brinkley married French artist Jean-François Allaux in 1973.
1973: Discovery and Start of Modeling Career
Christie Brinkley was discovered by photographer Errol Sawyer in 1973. This encounter led her to John Casablancas of Elite Model Management and marked the beginning of her successful modeling career.
1979: Meeting Peter Halsey Cook
Christie Brinkley and Peter Halsey Cook met in 1979 when Cook was modeling.
1979: First Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue Cover
In 1979, Christie Brinkley appeared on her first Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue cover.
1980: Second Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue Cover
Christie Brinkley graced the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue for the second year in a row in 1980.
1981: Third Consecutive Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue Cover
Christie Brinkley appeared on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue for an unprecedented third consecutive time in 1981.
1982: Relationship with Olivier Chandon de Brailles
In 1982, Christie Brinkley began a romantic relationship with Olivier Chandon de Brailles, heir to the Moët-Chandon Champagne fortune, after meeting at Studio 54 in New York City.
1983: Meeting Billy Joel
Christie Brinkley and Billy Joel met in 1983 on the Island of St Barts in the Caribbean.
1983: Film Debut in "National Lampoon's Vacation"
Christie Brinkley made her acting debut in 1983, playing "The girl in the red Ferrari" in the comedy film "National Lampoon's Vacation".
1983: Release of "Christie Brinkley's Outdoor Beauty and Fitness Book"
Christie Brinkley's book on health and beauty, "Christie Brinkley's Outdoor Beauty and Fitness Book", which she both wrote and illustrated, was released in 1983 and became a New York Times Best Seller.
1983: Today Show Beauty Segment
In 1983, Christie Brinkley shared her beauty expertise with viewers in a four-part segment on the Today Show.
March 23, 1985: Marriage to Billy Joel
Christie Brinkley and musician Billy Joel were married on March 23, 1985, on a yacht on the Hudson River. This was both Brinkley and Joel's second marriage.
December 29, 1985: Birth of Alexa Ray Joel
Alexa Ray Joel, Christie Brinkley and Billy Joel's daughter, was born on December 29, 1985.
1985: Marriage to Billy Joel
Christie Brinkley married musician Billy Joel in 1985.
1989: The Real Model Collection Dolls
In 1989, Matchbox Toys released "The Real Model Collection" featuring dolls of prominent models, including Christie Brinkley, Cheryl Tiegs, and Beverly Johnson.
1991: All-American Look
In 1991, Brinkley was considered to have an ideal, all-American look based on her physical features, according to the first Allure survey on American beauty perceptions.
1992: "Living in the 90s - With Christie Brinkley" Premiere
Christie Brinkley launched her own television series, "Living in the 90s - With Christie Brinkley", a daily half-hour show on CNN, in 1992.
1993: Illustrating the Cover Art for Billy Joel's "River of Dreams"
Christie Brinkley showcased her artistic talent by illustrating the cover art for Billy Joel's 1993 album "River of Dreams", which went triple platinum.
March 1994: Designing Christie Brinkley Perspectives Eyewear
In March 1994, Christie Brinkley collaborated with Nouveau Eyewear to design her own line of prescription glasses and sunglasses called "Christie Brinkley Perspectives", which achieved global sales.
April 1, 1994: Helicopter Crash in Telluride
Christie Brinkley survived a helicopter crash on April 1, 1994, during a ski trip in Telluride, Colorado, which resulted in years of hip pain and a full hip replacement in 2021.
May 1994: Engagement to Richard Taubman
Richard Taubman proposed to Christie Brinkley in May 1994 while she was still married to Billy Joel.
August 1994: Divorce from Billy Joel
Christie Brinkley and Billy Joel's marriage ended in August 1994.
December 22, 1994: Marriage to Richard Taubman
Christie Brinkley married real estate developer Richard Taubman on December 22, 1994, in Telluride, Colorado.
1994: Divorce from Billy Joel
Christie Brinkley and Billy Joel divorced in 1994 after nine years of marriage.
June 2, 1995: Birth of Jack Paris Brinkley
Jack Paris Brinkley, Christie Brinkley and Richard Taubman's son, was born on June 2, 1995.
August 1996: Engagement to Peter Halsey Cook
Christie Brinkley and Peter Halsey Cook announced their engagement in August 1996.
September 21, 1996: Marriage to Peter Halsey Cook
Christie Brinkley married architect Peter Halsey Cook on September 21, 1996.
1997: Reprising Role in "Vegas Vacation"
Christie Brinkley reprised her role as "The girl in the red Ferrari" in "Vegas Vacation", the 1997 sequel to "National Lampoon's Vacation", in 1997.
1997: Total Gym Infomercials with Chuck Norris
Starting in 1997, Christie Brinkley teamed up with Chuck Norris for a long-running series of cable TV infomercials, promoting Total Gym home fitness equipment.
July 2, 1998: Birth of Sailor Lee Brinkley Cook
Sailor Lee Brinkley Cook, Christie Brinkley and Peter Halsey Cook's daughter, was born on July 2, 1998.
1998: Playboy's 100 Sexiest Women
In 1998, Playboy readers voted Christie Brinkley as one of the 100 Sexiest Women of the 20th century.
1998: Release of Signature Fragrance "Believe"
In the spring of 1998, Christie Brinkley launched her own signature fragrance, "Believe".
1998: Democratic Party Donations
Since 1998, Christie Brinkley has donated nearly $1,000,000 to organizations and candidates of the Democratic Party of the United States.
2000: Delegate at Democratic National Convention
Christie Brinkley served as a delegate for the New York delegation at the 2000 Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles.
2005: Return to CoverGirl
After a long and successful partnership, CoverGirl re-signed Christie Brinkley in 2005, featuring her in campaigns for mature skin products.
2005: Sports Illustrated 40th Anniversary Issue's Hall of Fame
Christie Brinkley was recognized for her iconic status in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, being featured in the magazine's 40th Anniversary Issue's Hall of Fame in 2005.
July 2006: Separation from Peter Halsey Cook
Christie Brinkley's representative announced in July 2006 that Brinkley and Peter Cook planned to separate.
2007: New York Islanders Promotions
In 2007, Christie Brinkley showed her support for the New York Islanders ice hockey team by writing a blog for NHL.com and filming a commercial.
July 2008: Settlement with Peter Halsey Cook
Christie Brinkley and Peter Halsey Cook reached a settlement in July 2008.
September 12, 2008: Divorce from Peter Halsey Cook (Possible)
Accounts differ as to whether the divorce between Christie Brinkley and Peter Halsey Cook was finalized on September 12, 2008, or October 3, 2008.
October 3, 2008: Divorce from Peter Halsey Cook (Possible)
Accounts differ as to whether the divorce between Christie Brinkley and Peter Halsey Cook was finalized on September 12, 2008, or October 3, 2008.
2008: Divorce from Peter Cook
Christie Brinkley's fourth marriage, to architect Peter Cook, ended in a highly publicized divorce in 2008.
2008: Promoting National Family Fitness Day with Xbox 360
In 2008, Christie Brinkley and Dr. Carlon Colker joined forces to promote National Family Fitness Day, collaborating with Xbox 360 at the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
2008: DirecTV Commercial
In 2008, Christie Brinkley appeared in a DirecTV commercial, humorously referencing her role from the "Vacation" films.
2010: Premiere of "King of the Hamptons"
The documentary "King of the Hamptons", featuring Christie Brinkley, premiered at the 2010 Hamptons International Film Festival.
April 8, 2011: Stage Debut as Roxie Hart in "Chicago"
Christie Brinkley made her Broadway debut on April 8, 2011, taking on the role of Roxie Hart in the long-running musical "Chicago" in New York City.
2011: Appearance in "King of the Hamptons"
In 2011, Christie Brinkley appeared as herself in the documentary "King of the Hamptons".
2011: Men's Health 100 Hottest Women
In 2011, Men's Health named Christie Brinkley one of the "100 Hottest Women of All-Time", ranking her at No. 16.
December 2012: Co-hosting "Anderson Live" and Dancing with Gilles Marini
In December 2012, Christie Brinkley took on the role of co-host for an episode of "Anderson Live". During the show, she also showcased her dancing skills with "Dancing With the Stars" alumnus Gilles Marini.
2013: Pop-topia's Hottest Hollywood Women
In 2013, Pop-topia.com named Christie Brinkley No. 1 on their list of "10 Hottest Hollywood Women In Their 50s".
2014: Sports Illustrated 50th Anniversary Issue: The Legends
In 2014, Christie Brinkley was once again celebrated, this time in the Sports Illustrated 50th Anniversary Issue: The Legends.
September 2015: Relationship with John Mellencamp
In September 2015, it was widely reported that John Mellencamp was in a new relationship with Christie Brinkley.
2015: Infiniti Commercial
Christie Brinkley appeared in a 2015 Infiniti commercial, playing the wife, in a scene reminiscent of her iconic role in the "Vacation" movies.
August 2016: Separation from John Mellencamp
Christie Brinkley and John Mellencamp announced their separation in August 2016 after almost a year of dating.
August 5, 2019: Guest Role on "The Goldbergs"
As reported by Deadline on August 5, 2019, Christie Brinkley took on a guest role in the season 7 premiere of the ABC series "The Goldbergs", playing a character named Aleah Welsh.
2019: Financial Holdings Worth an Estimated US $80 million
By 2019, Christie Brinkley had built up a substantial financial portfolio, estimated at US $80 million, mainly through real estate ownership, particularly in the Hamptons.
2019: Appearance in "The Goldbergs"
Christie Brinkley continued to reference her famous "Vacation" role in 2019, this time in an episode of the ABC series "The Goldbergs".
2021: Hip Replacement Surgery
Christie Brinkley underwent a full hip replacement in 2021 due to years of hip pain stemming from the 1994 helicopter crash.
2022: Competing on "The Masked Singer"
In 2022, Christie Brinkley participated in season seven of "The Masked Singer", disguised as "Lemur" on Team Cuddly.