Happy birthday Christie Brinkley! The renowned supermodel turns 70 today, February 2, and shared on social media that she'd already kicked off her big birthday with a trip to their Turks and Caicos vacation home.
Over the decades, the star has graced the cover of more than 500 magazines as an editorial model, collaborated with some of the biggest brands in fashion and luxury, and even boasts acting credits spanning nearly four decades.
Take a look at some of Christie's most iconic moments as a superstar model, from her early days as the freshest on the block, to her present icon status…
Early Days
Christie was born and raised in California and moved to Paris at the age of 18 to study art. There, she was discovered by photographer Errol Sawyer in a post office.
© Getty ImagesNot long after, she met with executives at Elite Model Management and, after moving back to California, was quickly signed with them and had booked multiple national ad campaigns.
Breakout Star
By the late 1970s, Christie was quickly becoming one of the most well-known faces in the fashion industry, thanks to her consistent work ethic and classic all-American look.
SEE: Christie Brinkley resembles a mermaid as she poses in micro-swimsuit
She made a name for herself as a swimsuit model, setting a record as the first model to appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated's Swimsuit Issue in three consecutive years, from 1979 to 1981.
© Getty ImagesAround the same time, she became a familiar face in many American households thanks to her partnership with CoverGirl cosmetics, with their 25-year long contract representing one of the longest modeling contracts in history.
MORE: Christie Brinkley causes a stir with unexpected beach selfie
She appeared on the cover of the best-selling issue of Life, multiple covers of Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, Cosmopolitan, Glamour, Esquire, and campaigns for Got Milk?, Revlon, Chanel No. 19, and more. Christie, alongside Cheryl Tiegs and Beverly Johnson, was also one of the models featured in dolls created by Matchbox Toys called The Real Model Collection.
© Getty ImagesChristie the Performer
Christie parlayed the success of her modeling career into a career on-screen as an actress, making her movie debut in her best-known role, as "the girl in the red Ferrari" in 1983's National Lampoon's Vacation.
© Getty ImagesShe has since reprised the role several times in follow-up films, commercials, and even fan conventions. The star also frequently appeared in other forms of media in cameos, such as TV shows and competitions.
MORE: Christie Brinkley has legs for days sporting sheer tights and lace bodysuit in a throwback
Christie and her ex-husband Billy Joel also developed a long-standing visual partnership during their relationship, with Christie most famously appearing in the music video for Billy's 1983 classic "Uptown Girl."
© Getty ImagesIn 2011, she made her stage debut playing Roxie Hart in the Broadway production of Chicago. She carried on that engagement for a month in the London production before returning to Broadway and notched a total of 182 performances during her time with the National Touring Company of Chicago as well.
© Getty ImagesLife as a Parent
Christie is also a loving mom-of-three: she welcomed Alexa Ray Joel, now 35, with Billy; son Jack Paris Brinkley, now 28, with Richard Taubman; and youngest daughter Sailor Lee Brinkley Cook, now 25, with Peter Cook.
MORE: Christie Brinkley's ex Peter Cook, 64, gets married: meet his 24-year-old wife Alba Jancou
© Getty ImagesHer daughters Alexa and Sailor, in particular, have followed in her footsteps, with Alexa a singer and performer while Sailor is a model. Mother and daughters have modeled together several times as well.
MORE: Christie Brinkley and her lookalike daughters are glowing in bikini-clad beach photos you can't miss
In an interview with HELLO!, she said that the secret to building a strong relationship with her children was: "good real estate – have a house on the ocean and you will see your kids!
© HELLO!/Anna Gunselman"But in all seriousness, it is just spending time together and there is no replacement for that. It's being there for them no matter what happens in their life."
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