Cheryl Tiegs, born September 25, 1947, in Breckenridge, Minnesota, emerged from humble beginnings to become one of the most recognizable faces in fashion history.

Long before the era of Instagram and social media influencers, Tiegs’ appeal was rooted in natural beauty, charisma, and an approachable charm that resonated with audiences nationwide.

She was not just a model; she became a cultural icon, representing the optimism and freedom of the 1970s, epitomized in her now-famous pink bikini poster, which launched her into international recognition in 1978.

Tiegs’ career began almost serendipitously. A friend noticed her striking features and suggested modeling might be a good fit, prompting the young Tiegs to explore fashion shows and small magazine shoots.

Early assignments offered minimal pay, yet they provided invaluable experience and exposure. By the age of 17, her career took a significant leap when she appeared in Glamour magazine, an opportunity that opened doors to major publications, including Vogue, Time, and Sports Illustrated.

This period marked the start of a long-running association with Sports Illustrated’s swimsuit editions, a platform that helped define her image as one of America’s first supermodels.

Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Tiegs graced numerous magazine covers, cementing her status as a household name. Her work with Time and Men’s Health—where she was named one of the “100 Hottest Women of All Time” in 2012—demonstrates her enduring influence.

Beyond her modeling career, she became a style icon whose looks inspired fashion trends, swimwear designs, and fitness standards for decades.

Her classic images balanced glamour with relatability, offering an aspirational yet attainable vision of beauty that many young women admired.

Tiegs was also a trailblazer in terms of the modeling industry itself. During her peak, models did not enjoy the visibility and branding opportunities that social media now provides.

Tiegs has remarked that the industry in her era was “more in the moment,” emphasizing live appearances, magazine spreads, and television interviews rather than online profiles or viral campaigns.

This grounded approach contributed to the timelessness of her images—they were iconic not because they were digitally enhanced, but because of her natural presence, professionalism, and expressive range.

In addition to modeling, Tiegs explored acting, particularly during the 1980s. She appeared on television shows like Moonlighting and Just Shoot Me, where she demonstrated comedic timing and onscreen charisma.

Her movie appearances, including The Brown Bunny and Sharknado 4, reflected a willingness to take risks, experimenting with roles outside the typical model-to-actress trajectory.