Christie Brinkley is officially 70! February 2 marked the CoverGirl model’s big day and she started off this new decade around the sun by proving beyond any doubt that age is just a number. Her most recent workout selfie shows that fitness and confidence is for all ages.
Brinkley is no stranger to breaking the mold, having broken tradition with an unprecedented three consecutive Sports Illustrated Swimsuit appearances on the cover. In her career spanning over five decades, Brinkley has become an unmistakable icon for CoverGirl, and magazines Men’s Health and Allure named her one of the most attractive women of all time. Here’s how Brinkley is celebrating that and more after turning a most sensational 70.
Christie Brinkley starts off 70 showing off her sleek figure
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Brinkley is nearly a month into 70 now and still managing to stun her fans more than ever. Earlier this week, she took to Instagram to show off a series of fitness photos that not only show off her toned figure but also her unwavering confidence, still as present as ever 50 years since launching her modeling career. “Looking in the mirror on my 70th Birthday and what do I see,” she captioned the post. “I’m finally happy with the person looking back back [sic] at me.”
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Brinkley continued with this empowering – poetic – message that shows self-confidence can be a lifelong journey for everyone. “I’m no longer critical and demanding now I’m grateful and understanding I’ve put this body thru it I’ve broken every bone, in tiny miracles I’m all healed in my heart and soul I’m home It’s taken 70 years to get here, in tears and joy I’ve found my happy, so now I’m going to end this poem, before I get too sappy! Happy Birthday Indeed!”
Christie Brinkley wants everyone to have this inner peace for themselves
An icon of the modeling industry, Brinkley also uses her platform to empower others and teach others that beauty comes in many forms; she feels it is her duty to teach this lesson because of her position in the industry.
“It’s up to us to set our own standards of what’s right for us and be leaders, and not be under this pressure of thinking that we need to fit in to something that maybe we’re not meant to fit into,” said Brinkley. “People’s bodies come in every shape and size, and I really believe that all shapes and sizes should be celebrated as long as that’s your natural, healthy weight.”
Brinkley has made an appreciation for everything life throws her way into a lifestyle choice. “I celebrate every birthday. I celebrate every,” she shared, adding that this is in part because of the near-fatal helicopter crash she was involved in back in 1994, at which point she “really thought I was dying.”
“When I made it through that, I really have looked at every single day of my life as a gift.” Especially the parts of the day that meant she was aging. “I have to constantly be reminding people that my age group matters, that we are relevant, that we want to be represented,” she continued. “I hear women say to me all the time, I don’t know what I’m supposed to be wearing at my age because I don’t see anybody my age in a magazine. And I always say you should wear whatever you want.”
A significant part of this latter mindset comes from Brinkley’s mother. When she was younger, Brinkley complained about having “jiggly” legs. Her mother was having none of it. “Don’t you dare,” her mother warned Brinkley, invoking wisdom she would carry with her even at 70, “don’t you ever let me hear you talking badly about yourself.”
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