Christie Brinkley marks her 70th birthday with a plan to focus on wellness through 'eating, praying, and loving'.

Christie Brinkley is celebrating her 70th birthday.

The supermodel's big birthday is being celebrated with enthusiasm, as she shared a series of photos on Wednesday featuring her and her children on vacation in Turks & Caicos. The images show her lounging on a cabana at the beach and her and her kids grinning under a balloon arch and happy birthday banner.

"We arrived at the lucky house just in time for a golden sunset," she captioned the post. "And don't forget, the kids have been wreaking havoc in our living room. I'm turning 70 on Friday, so I hope they clean up before then!"

In January 2024, Brinkley admitted that her upcoming milestone birthday had made her reflect on all the things she still wanted to achieve in life.

"She revealed that she has never been to Tahiti or Thailand and wants to visit Bali. Additionally, she mentioned that she needs to complete an "eat, pray, love" journey."

Brinkley expressed her feelings towards turning 70 with a lot of reverence and emotion, stating that it feels similar to her 50th birthday, which was a time when she looked both back and forward.

"The age of 70 is one of those [ages] that's represented by large block numbers and looms over," she said to the outlet. "At 62, you can't help but think, 'I'm almost 70.' It casts a shadow over the entire decade."

Although she initially planned to host a "big blowout" party, she confessed that her busy schedule prevented her from putting much effort into the planning.

"That's absolutely fine with me," Brinkley said.

In 1973, the actress was discovered in Paris and gained fame as a model. She later made history as a model and appeared in popular movies and TV shows.

Brinkley, a successful model and proud mother of three, has also founded multiple successful businesses. Despite her age, she remains determined to continue pursuing new projects.

"In September 2023, Tamron Hall interviewed Brinkley about the significance of turning 30 and 40. Brinkley emphasized that taking care of oneself, eating well, exercising, and having a positive mental attitude can keep individuals young. He added that age is merely a state of mind, and one should not worry about it."

Here is a look back at the model's life and career.

‘A very reluctant model’

In Paris, where she was studying abroad, Brinkley was discovered by an American photographer and began her modeling career in the early 1970s.

Brinkley quickly landed a deal with Elite Model Management and went on to grace the covers of over 500 magazines, including Glamour, Harper's Bazaar, Vogue, and Cosmopolitan.

Brinkley, despite her initial reluctance, became a history-maker twice: first, as the first model to grace three consecutive Sports Illustrated covers from 1979 to 1981, and later by signing a groundbreaking 25-year contract with CoverGirl Cosmetics.

"Brinkley shared with Planet Chronicle Digital in July 2018 that her Sports Illustrated modeling adventures have been some of her favorites in her career. She explained the feeling of teamwork and being in the most beautiful places with the most beautiful light while working outdoors from dawn to dusk. Working for Sports Illustrated is like constantly searching for beauty, she said. She added that working with a team to create a beautiful image is a special experience."

‘Girl in the red Ferrari’

In 1983, Brinkley first appeared on screen in the film "National Lampoon's Vacation," alongside Chevy Chase and Beverly D'Angelo.

In the movie, she portrayed "the girl in the red Ferrari" who frequently crossed paths with Chase and D'Angelo's characters while they were on vacation with their family. Despite being asked to reprise her role multiple times, she has only agreed to do so a few instances, including in a 2019 episode of "The Goldbergs."

"In a 2019 interview with Entertainment Weekly, Brinkley praised the reprisal, stating that it was a good fit because both families had the same dynamic. He explained that when he was offered the role in the 2015 remake, he refused because he believed that the original movie's charm came from the characters' ability to argue and carry on, despite their love for each other. He believed that breaking up the family would ruin the dynamic."

Brinkly made her debut and later appeared in music videos for Billy Joel and on TV shows such as "Mad About You," "Ugly Betty," "Parks and Recreation," and "Nightcap."

Becoming a businesswoman

Brinkley has not entirely retired from modeling, but she has also ventured into entrepreneurship in the business world.

Christie Brinkley has established a variety of businesses over the years, including a line of beauty products, a wine label, a hair extension line, and a line of eyeglasses.

She recently announced a partnership with Xcel Brands to create a lifestyle and apparel brand called Twrhll, which is inspired by her many years in fashion and the timeless style of her home. The main goal of the brand is inclusivity and fun fashion.

"She stated in December 2023 that she aims to inspire women of all ages and body types to confidently wear products that accentuate their unique features. Twrhll is a brand that caters to this goal, and she is thrilled to engage with customers through retail and livestream channels."

Love life

Brinkley has experienced love multiple times. She was married to French artist Jean-François Allaux from 1973 to 1981.

In 1982, Brinkley briefly dated Olivier Chandon de Brailles before beginning a relationship with singer Billy Joel in 1983, after meeting in St. Barts and starting to date.

In 1985, the couple exchanged vows on a 147-foot yacht in New York Harbor and welcomed a daughter, Alexa. Nine years later, in August 1994, they announced their separation and finalized their divorce that same year.

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Brinkley suggested that their split was due to poor communication, stating, "Although individuals can convey themselves through their art, it does not necessarily mean they are skilled communicators in person."

Brinkley was introduced to real estate developer Richard Taubman while still legally married to Joel, and they were married in December 1994. However, their marriage lasted only a year before they welcomed son Jack and got divorced in June 1995.

In 1996, Brinkley married Peter Halsey Cook and had a daughter, Sailor. However, their marriage ended in divorce in 2008 after Cook admitted to cheating on him with his 18-year-old assistant.

Their divorce was far from friendly. In a 2012 statement on Facebook, Brinkley stated that Cook was suffering from Narcissistic Personality Disorder and that his reason for suing her that year was to extort money he didn't deserve.

The moment a police officer tapped me on the shoulder and informed me that my husband had been cheating on me in a two-year affair with his 17-year-old daughter, I knew it was time to move on from my marriage to Peter Cook. Since then, I have been on an odyssey of frustration as I navigated the court system with one goal: to find peace and protection for my family from the various forms of abuse at the hands of a narcissist.

She won the right to establish boundaries with provisions such as an intermediary to deal with email bullying, verbal and emotional abuse in a late night settlement.

During a 2008 interview with Barbara Walters, Cook discussed the end of their marriage.

He stated that he was unable to find the connection he desired in his own marriage and was seeking acknowledgement, attention, and a thank-you for his efforts in caring for his family. He emphasized the tremendous amount of work he was putting into his family.

"I hope the world will recognize that I am not the negative portrayal of a pervert that has been attributed to me."

'I have three real individuals'

Brinkley, aside from her numerous career achievements, is a mother to three kids, namely Alexa, Jack, and Sailor.

Alexa has released an EP and several singles, citing her parents as musical inspirations, as they are both avid Broadway fans.

Sailor has been photographed for Sports Illustrated and Vogue, walked the runway for high-profile designers, and even walked the carpet with her mom for the Elie Tahari show during New York City Fashion Week.

"Brinkley revealed to AARP in January 2019 that she was initially hesitant to become a model when she started her career. She explained that it was not part of her plan and she disliked many aspects of the idea. Similarly, the person she is talking about is also reluctant to be a model and wants to be a photographer instead. Brinkley added that she used to say the same thing, claiming that she would be an artist."

Jack, her son, has mostly remained out of the limelight and has instead focused on the tech industry, launching a ride-sharing app called Rove that assists individuals in traveling from New York City to the Hamptons.

"Each child teaches you so much, offering a unique perspective on the world. Brinkley shared this sentiment with Parade in May 2018, stating, "I have three real individuals who each find magic in different places, and I feel incredibly fortunate to experience it with them.""