Cheryl Tiegs was America’s first supermodel as she lit up the 1970s.
The photogenic wonder posed in swimsuits for magazine covers like the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition.
The woman Time magazine once dubbed ‘The All American Model’ in 1978, was on several sexy posters that were a must-have in men’s dorm rooms.
The Minnesota-born beauty who graduated from Alhambra High School in 1965 made a rare sighting over the weekend.
She attended the Project Angel Food 2025 Angel Awards at Paramount Pictures Studios in Los Angeles on September 27. The looker wore a black suit with over-the-knee boots.
See what the blonde bombshell looks like now.
Cheryl Tiegs was America’s first supermodel as she lit up the 1970s. And she made a rare sighting over the weekend
Her career took off in the early 1970s.
The fresh-faced cheerleader and homecoming princess caught the attention of bathing suit manufacturer Cole of California.
It was this ad – made in her senior year – that appeared in Seventeen magazine and subsequently launched her meteoric career in the modeling industry.
She is best known for her work with Sports Illustrated and its much-celebrated ‘swimsuit issue.’ Tiegs appeared on the cover multiple times, 1970, 1975, and 1983 – but it is her infamous see-through fishnet swimsuit photos from 1978 that caught the world’s attention.
Never had a one-piece been so revealing and attention grabbing. So much so, her pink bikini poster became an iconic pop culture image of the 1970s.
By the 1980s, Tiegs had landed a contract with Cover Girl cosmetics – worth $1.5million – launched her own signature clothing line for Sears, and penned her first book, The Way To Natural Beauty.
Responding to being labeled America’s first supermodel, Tiegs told Artful Living in 2017: ‘Someone of course gave me that title. I think it’s a way of saying that I didn’t just drop out of sight after a very successful career in modeling; I went on to start other businesses.’
In a July 2020 Instagram post, the fashion icon reflected on a highlight of her illustrious career by paying tribute to TIME magazine – which she credited with ‘changing her life.’
She also attributed her success to being a hard worker. ‘I’d come early and stay late if they wanted me to because I was so grateful for the money I was making and the great job,’ she added. ‘I think over the years—not to brag—but I think I did get the reputation of being nice and easy to work with, so then I think people want to work with you.’
Years earlier, Tiegs made headlines after criticizing plus-size model Ashley Graham’s history-making cover Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Cover, which she suggested was glamorizing unhealthy figures.
Tiegs appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated in 1970, 1975, and 1983
Tiegs was the first model to appear on the cover of SI Swimsuit issue twice
As for her personal life, Tiegs has been married and divorced four times. She is seen with second husband Peter Beard in 1982
Tiegs was seen posing alongside fellow Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover girls at the magazine’s 1995 launch party. Pictured are (L-R): Cheryl Tiegs, Manon Von Gerkan, Vendela, Talisa Soto and Rebecca Romijn
Graham, who wears a size 14, made Sports Illustrated Swimsuit history by becoming the first woman of her size to cover the iconic issue in February 2016.
‘I don’t like that we are talking about full-figured women because it’s glamorizing them, and your waist should be smaller than 35 [inches] Tiegs told E! News at the time.
‘That is what Dr. Oz said and I am sticking to it.’
The comments drew criticism from Graham and the public, prompting Tiegs to clarify and apologize on Twitter days later.
‘To clarify re bodyweight. Being anorexic/bulimic/overweight all connected to health problems. I want all to be as healthy as they can. [sic]’ she wrote.
‘My sincere apologies to everyone I have hurt. I truly just want everyone to be healthy & happy, [sic]’ she added in a follow-up tweet.
Life away from the camera has proved a bit more challenging for the famous model, author, designer and philanthropist.
She has been married and divorced four times.
The Minnesota-born beauty who graduated from Alhambra High School in 1965 made a rare sighting over the weekend
She attended the Project Angel Food 2025 Angel Awards at Paramount Pictures Studios in Los Angeles on September 27
Also at the event were (L-R) Kathy Hilton and Jennifer Tilly
And then there was (L-R) Charo and Caroline Rhea
Indian born actress Shannon K wore a chic black minidress with strappy heels
She was married to first husband, film director Stan Dragoti from 1970 to 1979. She then had a two-year marriage to photographer Peter Beard (1981-1983).
Seven years later she tied the knot with Anthony Peck – son of To Kill A Mockingbird actor Gregory Peck – with whom she shares a son Zachary Peck, 31. The marriage ended in 1995.
Her last, and most contentious union was with yoga instructor Rod Stryker (1998-2001). After struggling at age 52 to conceive via IVF, Tiegs and Stryker welcomed twin boys Theo and Jaden via a surrogate in 2000.
Legal battles between the couple resulted in Stryker gaining full custody of the boys who are now 22.
‘My ex has custody of the twins because he’s Jewish and he wanted to raise them Jewish.’ she said in an old interview. ‘We also have an agreement to keep them out of the press. He was adamant about it, and I said fine with me.’
Her son Zach made her a grandmother to his children Atticus and Elektra.
