Cheryl Rae Tiegs, widely recognized as America’s first supermodel, has left an indelible mark on the fashion industry and beyond. Born on September 25, 1947, in Breckenridge, Minnesota, Tiegs’s journey from a small-town girl to an international icon highlights her extraordinary influence on fashion, pop culture, and entrepreneurship.

Cheryl Tiegs was born to Phyllis and Theodore Tiegs, who worked initially as an auto-assembly lineman before transitioning to become a funeral director. Her early years were shaped by her Midwestern roots, but in 1952, her family relocated to Alhambra, California, where she spent much of her childhood.

Of German heritage, Cheryl was encouraged by a friend to explore opportunities in modeling. While attending Alhambra High School, she took a significant step towards the industry by posing for a swimsuit advertisement for Cole of California. This ad appeared in Seventeen magazine, giving her the first glimpse of what would become a groundbreaking career.

Though she enrolled as an English major at California State University, Los Angeles, Tiegs’s growing opportunities in the modeling world ultimately led her to leave college before completing her degree. This bold decision marked the beginning of her meteoric rise in the modeling industry.

At just 17 years old, Tiegs’s potential caught the attention of the editorial team at Glamour magazine. She was invited for a photoshoot in Saint Thomas alongside Ali MacGraw, which resulted in her first cover for Glamour. This breakthrough paved the way for her to appear on the covers of numerous high-profile magazines, including Seventeen, Vogue, Elle, and Harper’s Bazaar.

Tiegs reached a historic milestone when she became the first model to grace the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue cover twice. In particular, her iconic 1978 photograph in a fishnet swimsuit remains a defining moment in both her career and the history of fashion photography. Over the years, Tiegs also made the covers of People magazine four times and appeared on Time magazine’s cover three times. The 1978 Time cover story, titled “All-American Model,” solidified her status as a cultural phenomenon.

In 1980, Cheryl Tiegs ventured into the business world, launching a signature line of clothing and accessories for Sears. This groundbreaking move made her the first supermodel to create a retail collection, a venture that was a massive commercial success. The Cheryl Tiegs collection generated nearly $1 billion in sales by 1989, playing a crucial role in revitalizing Sears during a challenging period. Her entrepreneurial achievements garnered her another Time magazine cover story titled “Sassy Sears.”

Further diversifying her brand, Tiegs inspired a doll as part of the “Real Model Collection” in 1990, which featured other iconic models like Christie Brinkley and Beverly Johnson. She also launched Cheryl Tiegs Sportswear in 1995, sold exclusively on QVC, and developed a range of wigs and hair accessories in collaboration with Revlon.

Cheryl Tiegs’s influence extended far beyond the modeling world. She explored opportunities in television and film, making notable appearances on shows such as NBC’s Just Shoot Me and Oxygen’s Girls Behaving Badly. She also had a recurring role as herself on the animated series Family Guy. Additionally, Tiegs hosted a 13-episode travel series titled Pathfinders: Exotic Journeys on the Travel Channel, showcasing her charisma and versatility as a host.

Her film credits include roles in Vincent Gallo’s The Brown Bunny and the comedy Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story, where she appeared alongside John C. Reilly. In 2012, Tiegs joined the cast of Celebrity Apprentice, competing to raise funds for the Farrah Fawcett Foundation, a cause she passionately supported.

Tiegs has dedicated much of her life to philanthropy and advocacy, using her platform to make a meaningful difference. She serves on the Board of Directors for organizations such as C.O.A.C.H. for Kids and the Earth Conservation Corps. Additionally, she has worked as a spokeswoman for City of Hope and as an ambassador for the International Planned Parenthood Foundation, focusing on reproductive health issues worldwide.

Her commitment to environmental causes is equally noteworthy. Tiegs participated in an Arctic expedition to study the effects of global warming and has supported initiatives promoting zero-emission vehicles through General Motors. In 2010, she appeared on the environmentally focused show Living with Ed to discuss sustainable living practices. That same year, she was recognized as “Green Star of the Week” by Access Hollywood.

Cheryl Tiegs’s personal life has been as eventful as her career. She has been married four times: first to film director Stan Dragoti from 1970 to 1979, then to photographer Peter Beard from 1981 to 1983. Her third marriage was to Anthony Peck, with whom she had a son, Zachary, born in 1991. Lastly, she married yoga instructor Rod Stryker in 1998, and during their union, the couple welcomed twin sons, Theo and Jaden, in 2000 via surrogacy. Her marriage to Stryker ended in 2001.

Cheryl Tiegs’s impact on the modeling industry and popular culture is immeasurable. She broke barriers, setting new standards for models to venture beyond the runway into entrepreneurship, media, and philanthropy. Her ability to evolve with the times while maintaining her iconic status underscores her lasting influence. Through her work and advocacy, Tiegs continues to inspire new generations, leaving behind a legacy of grace, innovation, and resilience.