Christie Brinkley is 72 years old as of October 2026. She was born on February 2, 1954, in Monroe, Michigan, which makes her a 72-year-old woman who has already celebrated her birthday earlier this year. The question of how old is Christie Brinkley comes up often because she has remained remarkably visible for five decades.
Britannica confirms her birth date as February 2, 1954, and lists her birthplace as Monroe, Michigan. Some older records occasionally show 1953, but the authoritative encyclopedia entry and recent 2026 coverage consistently use 1954. People magazine referred to her as “the supermodel, 72” in a June 2026 interview.
That same month, Brinkley spoke to Social Life magazine about her perspective on aging. “I think that there’s a freedom that comes with age that’s quite wonderful,” she said. Her attitude reflects a career that began when she was discovered in Paris in the early 1970s and has continued into her eighth decade.
The modeling industry once told Brinkley she would be “done by 30,” as she recalled to the Sydney Morning Herald in 2025. That prediction proved spectacularly wrong. She became the face of CoverGirl in 1976 and held a contract with the brand for 25 years, one of the longest modeling contracts in history.
Brinkley appeared on three consecutive Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue covers from 1979 to 1981, a distinction no other model has matched. She has graced more than 500 magazine covers over her career, according to the Sydney Morning Herald. Those numbers help explain why public curiosity about her age persists.
Beyond modeling, Brinkley built a diverse career. She made her film debut in National Lampoon’s Vacation in 1983 as the girl in the red Ferrari, opposite Chevy Chase. She later appeared in the sitcom Parks and Recreation and made her Broadway debut as Roxie Hart in Chicago in 2011.Quick Bio: Christie Brinkley
Notes: Net worth figures vary by source; earlier estimates placed her holdings at $80 million . The $100 million figure reflects more recent 2026 reporting .
In September 2026, Brinkley walked her first runway in seven years at New York Fashion Week for designer Dennis Basso. She wore a gold off-the-shoulder gown and received an applauding crowd. Nine reported that she was “72” at the event, reinforcing the verified age. She later described herself as “a 72 1/2 year seasoned woman” in a social media post.
Brinkley published her first memoir, Uptown Girl, in April 2025 through Harper Influence, an imprint of HarperCollins. The book covers her rise to fame, her four marriages, and her 1985 to 1994 marriage to Billy Joel, who wrote the song “Uptown Girl” about her. The memoir also addresses difficult chapters, including an abusive biological father and a 1994 helicopter crash.
Her family includes three children: Alexa Ray Joel, whose father is Billy Joel; Jack Paris Brinkley-Cook; and Sailor Lee Brinkley-Cook. Brinkley has remained active in business as well, with ventures including an organic wine label called Bellissima and a fashion line called TWRHLL.
A minor discrepancy sometimes appears in older articles that refer to Brinkley as 71. Those references predate her February 2026 birthday. For example, a Miami Herald interview published in August 2025 correctly called her 71 at that time. Anyone asking how old is Christie Brinkley today should use 72, based on her February 2 birth date.
Looking ahead, Brinkley will turn 73 on February 2, 2027. Her recent runway appearance and memoir publication suggest she has no intention of slowing down. As she told Social Life, “You know what you like. You know what you don’t like. And you don’t feel like you have to put up with the stuff that you don’t like anymore”.
How many times has Christie Brinkley been married?
Brinkley has been married four times. Her husbands were French artist Jean-François Allaux (1975–1981), musician Billy Joel (1985–1994), real estate developer Richard Taubman (1994–1995), and architect Peter Cook (1996–2008). She has three children from these relationships.
What is Christie Brinkley’s net worth?
Her net worth is estimated at **$100 million**, though reports vary. A significant portion comes from real estate investments in the Hamptons rather than modeling alone. Her Sag Harbor estate, known as Tower Hill, is valued at $50 million or more.
What does Christie Brinkley eat?
Brinkley has been a vegetarian since age 13 and has followed vegan and macrobiotic diets at various points. She describes her approach as a “rainbow diet,” emphasizing colorful organic produce, and has said moderation is key rather than strict restriction.
How does Christie Brinkley stay fit at 72?
She prioritizes variety and daily movement. Her routine includes cycling, spin classes, yoga, home strength work on a Total Gym, and even gardening. She has spoken about adapting exercises after a hip replacement in 2021, favoring mobility-focused practices like yoga.
