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Cheryl Tiegs

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Cheryl Rae Tiegs is a prominent American model and fashion designer. She is frequently described as America's first supermodel. This title reflects her massive influence on pop culture during the 1970s. Tiegs achieved fame through numerous magazine covers. She appeared on the covers of Time, Vogue, and Harper's Bazaar. She also appeared on the covers of Seventeen and Elle. Most notably, she was the first model to appear twice on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.

President Ronald Reagan and Nancy Reagan posing for photo with Christie Brinkley, Cheryl Tiegs, and Brooke Shields
President Ronald Reagan and Nancy Reagan posing for photo with Christie Brinkley, Cheryl Tiegs, and Brooke Shields

Her professional journey began with a single advertisement. While serving as a senior at Alhambra High School, Tiegs posed for a swimsuit ad. The advertisement was for a manufacturer called Cole of California. It was published in Seventeen magazine. This specific ad launched her entire career. The editorial staff at Glamour magazine saw the advertisement. They booked her for a photographic shoot in Saint Thomas. She worked alongside Ali MacGraw on that project. This shoot resulted in her first cover for Glamour.

President Ronald Reagan and Nancy Reagan posing for photo with Christie Brinkley, Cheryl Tiegs, and Brooke Shields
President Ronald Reagan and Nancy Reagan posing for photo with Christie Brinkley, Cheryl Tiegs, and Brooke Shields

Tiegs was born on September 25, 1947, in Breckenridge, Minnesota. Her parents were Phyllis and Theodore Tiegs. Her father worked as an auto-assembly lineman and a funeral director. In 1952, her family moved to Alhambra, California. Tiegs is of German descent. She later enrolled as an English major at California State University, Los Angeles. However, she left college before her junior year. She chose to leave her studies to pursue her modeling career full-time.

Her success led to significant financial milestones. In 1979, she signed a two-year contract with Cover Girl cosmetics. This contract was reported to be worth $1.5 million. At that time, it was the largest contract ever seen in the industry. Tiegs also became a major figure in retail. In 1980, she launched a signature line of clothing and accessories for Sears. This was the first retail venture by a supermodel. By 1989, the Cheryl Tiegs collection approached $1 billion in sales. This collection helped the Sears retail chain during its 1980s turnaround.

President Ronald Reagan and Nancy Reagan posing for photo with Christie Brinkley, Cheryl Tiegs, and Brooke Shields
President Ronald Reagan and Nancy Reagan posing for photo with Christie Brinkley, Cheryl Tiegs, and Brooke Shields

Tiegs expanded her influence into various other business sectors. In 1990, a doll was created in her likeness. It was part of the "Real Model Collection" alongside Christie Brinkley and Beverly Johnson. In 1995, she established Cheryl Tiegs Sportwear. This line sold exclusively through QVC. She also developed a line of wigs and hair accessories for Revlon. Her career has included many media appearances. She has appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show and the reality show Celebrity Apprentice. She has also had roles in films like The Brown Bunny and Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story.

Beyond fashion, Tiegs has been a dedicated activist and philanthropist. In 1979, she traveled to Kenya with photographer Peter Beard. They went on a photographic expedition to investigate the destruction of African wildlife. This journey was documented in an Emmy-winning episode of ABC's The American Sportsman. Tiegs has also explored the effects of global warming in the Arctic. She participated in a General Motors environmental program. During this program, she drove a hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicle for three months. This was done to raise awareness for zero emissions.

President Ronald Reagan and Nancy Reagan posing for photo with Christie Brinkley, Cheryl Tiegs, and Brooke Shields
President Ronald Reagan and Nancy Reagan posing for photo with Christie Brinkley, Cheryl Tiegs, and Brooke Shields

Today, Tiegs remains active in many humanitarian efforts. She serves on the Board of Directors for C.O.A.C.H. for Kids and the Earth Conservation Corps. She is a spokeswoman for the City of Hope. She also serves as an Ambassador for the International Planned Parenthood Foundation. Tiegs supports the Macula Vision Research Foundation and the Farrah Fawcett Foundation. Her life connects the worlds of high fashion, environmental activism, and global philanthropy. She continues to influence how people view fitness, fashion, and beauty across different age groups.

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