Cheryl Tiegs was once the face of American beauty, becoming the country’s first true supermodel during the 1970s. Her swimsuit photos graced countless magazines, with Time famously naming her “The All American Model” in 1978. Tiegs’s iconic images, from her pink bikini posters to the daring fishnet swimsuit of 1978, made her a household name and a staple on dorm room walls across the nation.
Over the weekend, fans caught a rare glimpse of Cheryl Tiegs now when she attended the Project Angel Food 2025 Angel Awards at Paramount Pictures Studios. Dressed in a sleek black suit with over-the-knee boots, the 78-year-old model showed the same elegance that first captured the world’s attention decades ago. According to Daily Mail, the Minnesota-born star’s presence at the event was a nostalgic reminder of her enduring legacy.
From Swimsuits To Stardom
Tiegs’s career took off in her late teens after a swimsuit ad for Cole of California appeared in Seventeen magazine. By the early 1970s, she was a familiar face in Sports Illustrated’s famed swimsuit issues, appearing on multiple covers throughout the decade. Her work quickly expanded beyond modeling, with a lucrative Cover Girl contract, her own Sears fashion line, and a bestselling book.
Reflecting on her career in 2017, Tiegs explained that being dubbed America’s first supermodel was about more than magazine covers. “I didn’t just drop out of sight after modeling,” she said. “I went on to start other businesses.” That drive, paired with her reputation for professionalism, cemented her influence in the fashion world.
Personal Triumphs And Challenges
Life away from the spotlight brought both joy and difficulties. Tiegs married four times and welcomed three sons, including twins through surrogacy in 2000. Today, she is also a grandmother, finding new meaning in family.
At 78, Cheryl Tiegs now stands as both a pioneer and a survivor of the demanding modeling industry. Her story, marked by iconic images, career reinventions, and personal resilience, reflects the lasting impact of a woman who helped define beauty for a generation.