History of Paulina Porizkova in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: July 15, 2026

Paulina Porizkova is a Czech-born model, actress, and author who rose to international prominence in the 1980s. She made history as the first woman from Central Europe to grace the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, subsequently becoming the face of Estée Lauder in one of the most lucrative modeling contracts of the era. Beyond her fashion career, she appeared in numerous films, including 'Her Alibi' and 'Arizona Dream.' In recent years, Porizkova has transitioned into a prominent writer and social media advocate, frequently discussing aging, beauty standards, and grief. Her memoir, 'No Filter: The Good, the Bad, and the Beautiful,' reflects her candid approach to navigating personal transformation and public scrutiny. She remains an influential figure in the fashion industry, known for challenging traditional perceptions of beauty for women over fifty.

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Full Timeline

April 1965: Birth of Paulina Porizkova

Paulina Porizkova was born in April 1965 in Czechoslovakia, eventually becoming a prominent fashion model, actress, and author.

1968: Escape to Sweden and Family Separation

In 1968, following the Warsaw Pact invasion of Czechoslovakia, Paulina Porizkova's parents fled to Sweden, leaving her behind in the care of her grandmother, which triggered a significant public and political struggle to reunite the family.

1973: Reunification of the Pořízka family

In 1973, following international political pressure spearheaded by Swedish Prime Minister Olof Palme, Czechoslovak authorities finally granted permission for the Pořízka family to be reunited after years of forced separation.

1980: Setting of A Model Summer

The year 1980 serves as the setting for the fictional plot of Porizkova's 2007 novel, depicting a young Swedish character named Jirina who travels to Paris to work as a model during that year.

1983: Sports Illustrated Modeling Appearance

In 1983, Paulina Porizkova made a significant career milestone by appearing as a model in the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue, which helped establish her rising profile in the fashion industry.

1983: Film Debut in Portfolio

In 1983, Paulina Porizkova made her motion picture debut appearing in the modeling-focused mockumentary film titled Portfolio.

1984: First Central European Sports Illustrated Cover Model

At the age of 18 in 1984, Paulina Porizkova achieved a major career triumph by becoming the first woman from Central Europe to grace the cover of the iconic Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue.

1984: Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue Cover

In 1984, Paulina Porizkova made history as the first woman from Central Europe to grace the cover of the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue.

1984: Meeting Ric Ocasek

In 1984, Paulina Porizkova met Ric Ocasek, the lead singer of The Cars, while participating in the filming of the music video for the song 'Drive'.

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July 1985: New York Magazine Cover Feature

In July 1985, Paulina Porizkova continued her high-profile modeling career by appearing on the front cover of New York magazine.

1987: Film Debut in Anna

In 1987, Paulina Porizkova made her motion picture acting debut in the comedy-drama film titled Anna.

1988: Estée Lauder Modeling Contract

In 1988, Paulina Porizkova secured a landmark $6,000,000 contract with Estée Lauder, effectively replacing Willow Bay as the face of the brand and pivoting her career image toward that of a European sophisticate.

August 1989: Marriage to Ric Ocasek

Paulina Porizkova and Ric Ocasek were officially married on 23 August 1989.

1989: Role in Her Alibi

In 1989, Porizkova co-starred alongside Tom Selleck in the feature film Her Alibi, an appearance for which she received a Golden Raspberry Award nomination for Worst Actress.

September 1992: Publication of The Adventures of Ralphie the Roach

In September 1992, Paulina Porizkova released her children's book, The Adventures of Ralphie the Roach, which she co-authored with British model Joanne Russell and featured illustrations by her stepson, Adam Ocasek.

1992: Recognition as One of the World's Most Beautiful Women

In 1992, Paulina Porizkova was honored by Harper's Bazaar as one of their ten most beautiful women in the world, reflecting her lasting impact on the fashion industry.

1992: Sonic Youth References Porizkova in Dirty

In 1992, the band Sonic Youth released their album Dirty, which included the song "Swimsuit Issue," a track that features a reference to Paulina Porizkova among other women.

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November 1993: Birth of Jonathan Raven Ocasek

On 4 November 1993, Paulina Porizkova and her husband welcomed the birth of their first son, Jonathan Raven Ocasek.

1993: Role in Arizona Dream

In 1993, Paulina Porizkova took on a minor acting role as a young Polish fiancée in the film Arizona Dream, which also featured actors Johnny Depp and Jerry Lewis.

1995: Conclusion of Estée Lauder Contract

By 1995, Paulina Porizkova's tenure as the official face of the beauty brand Estée Lauder came to an end after seven years in the role.

1998: Lead role in Thursday

Paulina Porizkova secured the primary female lead role in the 1998 motion picture titled Thursday.

1999: Birth of Oliver Ocasek

In 1999, Paulina Porizkova gave birth to her second son, Oliver Ocasek.

2001: Directorial work and Dark Asylum

During 2001, Porizkova demonstrated her versatility by writing and directing the film Roommates, while also starring in the thriller Dark Asylum with Judd Nelson.

2004: Role in Knots

In 2004, Porizkova was cast as a star in the romantic comedy film Knots.

2007: Publication of A Model Summer

In 2007, Paulina Porizkova published her debut novel, A Model Summer, which tells the story of a fifteen-year-old girl entering the modeling world in 1980s Paris.

April 2009: Guest appearance on Head Case

On April 24, 2009, Paulina Porizkova made an appearance in an episode of the Starz comedy television series Head Case.

May 2009: Firing from America's Next Top Model

On May 12, 2009, during an appearance on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, Paulina Porizkova announced she had been fired from the reality television show America's Next Top Model. While producers cited budget cuts due to the economic state, Porizkova believed it was due to her complaints regarding Tyra Banks' behavior, marking a significant transition in her career in May 2009.

2009: Role in As the World Turns

Starting in 2009, Paulina Porizkova began a recurring role playing the character Clarissa on the CBS Daytime soap opera As the World Turns, appearing in approximately five episodes during her tenure which spanned into 2010.

2010: Anna Porizkova's Peace Corps Service

As of 2010, it was reported that Paulina Porizkova's mother, Anna, who had remarried multiple times following her divorce from Jiří, was serving as a volunteer in the Peace Corps in Uganda.

2010: Appearance on Celebrity Ghost Stories

In 2010, Paulina Porizkova made a guest appearance in the fourth episode of the second season of the television series Celebrity Ghost Stories.

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March 2012: Appearance on Jane by Design

Paulina Porizkova appeared in an episode of the ABC Family series Jane by Design that aired on March 6, 2012.

February 2015: Guest appearance on The Mysteries of Laura

In February 2015, Paulina Porizkova made a guest appearance on the television show The Mysteries of Laura.

2017: Publication of "America Made Me a Feminist"

In 2017, Paulina Porizkova authored an article titled "America Made Me a Feminist" for The New York Times, in which she publicly identified herself as a feminist.

May 2018: Separation Announcement

In May 2018, Paulina Porizkova publicly announced that she and Ric Ocasek had separated one year prior.

September 2019: Death of Ric Ocasek

In September 2019, Paulina Porizkova discovered her estranged husband, Ric Ocasek, deceased in his home while she was assisting with his recovery from surgery. The event occurred amidst their ongoing divorce proceedings, during which it was revealed that Ocasek had disinherited her in his will.

2021: Relationship with Aaron Sorkin

In 2021, Paulina Porizkova entered into a brief romantic relationship with the screenwriter Aaron Sorkin.

2021: Settlement of Estate Dispute

In 2021, Paulina Porizkova reached a legal settlement regarding her dispute with Ric Ocasek's estate, stating that she received the portion of the estate to which she was entitled under New York state law.

February 2023: Relationship with Jeff Greenstein

Beginning in February 2023, Paulina Porizkova started a new romantic relationship with screenwriter Jeff Greenstein.

July 2025: Engagement to Jeff Greenstein

In July 2025, Paulina Porizkova publicly announced her engagement to screenwriter Jeff Greenstein.

2026: Marriage to Jeff Greenstein

Paulina Porizkova and Jeff Greenstein officially married in July of 2026.

27 March 2007: Elimination from Dancing with the Stars

On 27 March 2007, Paulina Porizkova was eliminated from the fourth season of the television show Dancing with the Stars during the series' first results show.