“I remember my first 'Sports Illustrated' shoot was with the photographer Walter Iooss, and Julie Campbell was the editor, and we were at the president of Mexico's private house in Cancun - this was before anything else that's now in Cancun even existed. And they told me to get a tan, so I spent all morning in the sun, and I was burnt.”

American model

Christie Brinkley is an American model who came to prominence in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Born Christie Lee Brinkley, she became widely known for her work in fashion and advertising, and for appearing on three consecutive Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue covers in 1979, 1980, and 1981. She later spent 25 years as the face of CoverGirl, appeared on more than 500 magazine covers, and worked with major brands across fashion and beyond. Her public image is closely tied to modeling, commercial campaigns, and a long career in the spotlight.