Cheryl Tiegs

Cheryl Rae Tiegs (born September 25, 1947) is an iconic American model and fashion designer widely credited as America's first supermodel. Rising to fame during the 1970s and 1980s, she became a pop culture legend through her defining magazine covers, memorable swimwear photoshoots, and pioneering commercial brand partnerships. Her influence on fashion, healthy lifestyle advocacy, and retail fashion licensing helped pave the way for modern celebrity modeling and entrepreneurship.

Early Life and Career

Tiegs was born in Breckenridge, Minnesota, and later moved with her family to Alhambra, California. Encouraged to model during her teenage years, she booked her first major swimsuit advertisement for Cole of California as a high school senior, which appeared in Seventeen magazine. Editors at Glamour quickly took notice, launching her professional modeling career. Over the next decade, Tiegs appeared on the covers of premier fashion publications including Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, Elle, and Glamour, establishing herself as the quintessential fresh-faced, sun-kissed American beauty.

Rise to Supermodel Stardom

Tiegs achieved national stardom through her iconic work with Sports Illustrated. She became the first model to appear on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue multiple times, featuring on covers in 1970, 1975, and 1983. Her famous 1978 swimsuit poster became a defining pop-culture image of the era, selling millions of copies worldwide. Tiegs also made history by gracing the cover of Time magazine three times, including a 1978 feature story that officially declared her the "All-American Model." Her immense visibility cemented her reputation as a household name beyond traditional fashion runways.

Business and Media Ventures

Beyond modeling, Tiegs became an early pioneer of celebrity fashion branding. In 1980, she launched the Cheryl Tiegs Collection for retail giant Sears, encompassing sportswear, apparel, and accessories that generated immense commercial success. She authored the lifestyle book The Way to Natural Beauty and later developed beauty product lines, wigs, and fitness products. Tiegs also made television and film appearances, served as a judge on the reality competition series True Beauty, and actively supported philanthropic causes, including environmental conservation and health advocacy.

Personal Life

Tiegs resides in Los Angeles, California. She has been married four times: to film director Stan Dragoti, photographer Peter Beard, actor Anthony Peck, and yoga instructor Rod Stryker. She is the mother of three sons, including a son from her marriage to Peck and twin boys born in 2000. Throughout her life, Tiegs has remained a strong proponent of outdoor activity, wellness, and natural aging.