Cheryl Tiegs is often remembered as one of America’s first ever supermodels. Her idolised figure graced the cover of Sports Illustrated magazine multiple times for their iconic swimsuit issues, and she was also a cover star for Vogue and Elle. So what happened to the blonde beauty?
Cheryl’s career turned to acting and public speaking after her modelling era, a route many legends have followed since. But now, the 78-year-old lives a life largely out of the limelight and is only occasionally spotted on the red carpet, usually for charity-related work. The last time she was seen at an event was at the 2025 Project Angel Food Angel Awards Gala.
Cheryl Tiegs before and after photos
© Conde Nast via Getty ImagesThe star has clearly maintained her slim physique and striking looks over the years, but has steered clear of any drastic Hollywood makeovers involving plastic surgery.
© Getty ImagesFamily life
© Getty ImagesCheryl has been married four times, last becoming single in 2001. Her first husband was a film director called Stan Dragoti, who she was with from 1970 to 1979. Then followed a two-year marriage to photographer Peter Beard in 1981.
Cheryl wed actor Anthony Peck in 1990 and the pair made a go of it until 1995. They had one son together, Zachary. Three years later, the model married yoga instructor Rod Stryker and they welcomed twins via surrogacy, Theo and Jaden. The couple split in 2001.
Cheryl Tiegs' big break
With the body and face for modelling, it may surprise you to learn that Cheryl had a different career path mapped out before she found fame. "I’m a voracious reader and always wanted to be a librarian," she told the Naples Daily News. In her late teens, Cheryl was put forward for her first audition, which she didn't get, but she got her time to shine in the form of a Seventeen magazine advert in the '60s. After that, she was flown to a Caribbean island for a Glamour magazine shoot, and well, the rest is history...
Staying youthful
© Conde Nast via Getty ImagesIn 2016, the star gave an interview to Today magazine and she spoke about her approach to health and wellness. When asked where she’d like to be in 20 years, she said: "I hope in 20 years, I will be as healthy as I am now. And I don't know why I wouldn't be. And - and very peaceful. I've done a lot of spiritual work. I've done a lot of yoga, and classes, and learning, and growing. And I just always want to be active, but I don't want to push myself so that it's uncomfortable. I go out on hikes a lot. And I just put on my headphones, and listen to the music, and I like my feet on the ground."
When quizzed what beauty means to her, she replied: "Beauty is educating yourself, pushing yourself, learning and growing. Nina Blanchard was the agency out here in Los Angeles. And she said, 'Cheryl, now you've finished your formal education, but don't ever stop learning and growing, because that's the key to beauty'."
In 2000, she spoke to the Los Angeles Times and said: "I don't think we can take away the beauty of youth. It's great to look at. But I also think people are beginning to appreciate beauty of all ages, and there are certainly models for that. I think especially with the baby boomers, they want to see somebody they can relate to."
Clash with Ashley Graham
© AFP via Getty ImagesCheryl has publicly shared some strong opinions on plus-size model Ashley Graham, telling E! News that she thinks the star's weight is not "healthy" in the long run. "Your waist should be smaller than 35 [inches]. That's what Dr. Oz said and I'm sticking to it," Cheryl said.
When Ashley heard about the comments, she responded by saying: "Cheryl Tiegs may have said what she said, and it may have hurt a lot of people's feelings but my skin is so thick.
"I kind of rolled my eyes, I was like, 'Oh whatever, another one of these ladies,'" she continued. "But what's great is that – the fact that she said it – it means that other women think like her. And what that means is that we really need to change the industry."
After the backlash, Cheryl issued an apology. It read: "My sincere apologies to everyone I have hurt. I truly just want everyone to be healthy & happy."
