Age is just a number. You've heard that a thousand times, right? But when it comes to Cheryl Tiegs, that number actually tells a pretty fascinating story of American pop culture.
If you’re looking for the quick answer: Cheryl Tiegs is 78 years old. She will celebrate her 79th birthday later this year on September 25, 2026.
It’s wild to think about because, for many of us, she’s still frozen in time. You probably remember that iconic pink bikini poster from 1978 or those breezy Sports Illustrated covers that basically defined the "All-American" look. But Tiegs didn't just stay in the 70s. She’s lived a dozen lives since then, from retail mogul to environmental activist.
The Minnesota Girl Who Changed Everything
Cheryl Rae Tiegs was born in 1947 in Breckenridge, Minnesota. It’s a small town, the kind of place where you wouldn't necessarily expect a global fashion icon to emerge. Her dad, Theodore, worked on an assembly line before becoming a funeral director. It was a grounded, working-class upbringing that she often credits for her discipline.
The family moved to Alhambra, California, when she was five. That’s where the "California Girl" mythos really started to take shape. Honestly, her start in modeling was almost accidental. A friend suggested she try it, and by 17, she was on the cover of Glamour.
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Think about that for a second. While most 17-year-olds are worrying about prom or SATs, Tiegs was already becoming a household name.
Why the Cheryl Tiegs Age Discussion Never Actually Stops
People are obsessed with how old she is because she broke the "expiration date" rule for models. Back in the day, if you were a model, your career was usually over by 25. Tiegs flipped the script.
- At 31, she was on the cover of TIME magazine.
- At 47, she returned to the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.
- At 60, she posed for Playboy in a bikini.
She basically told the industry that beauty doesn't have a deadline. It’s why, even now at 78, she’s still a frequent topic of conversation. She wasn't just a face; she was a brand. She was the first model to launch a signature line at Sears, which ended up selling nearly a billion dollars in merchandise. She proved models could be businesswomen.
Life in 2026: What is She Up to Now?
Living in Los Angeles, Tiegs hasn't exactly retired to a rocking chair. She’s still incredibly active in the philanthropy world. You’ll find her name associated with the Farrah Fawcett Foundation and various environmental causes.
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She’s also been very open about her wellness routine, which isn't as complicated as you'd think. She’s big on yoga, meditation, and "getting outside your box." She once said that ageless vitality comes from continually shaking off what’s familiar.
"I lose my center if I don't take care of myself. If I ever find myself getting impatient, I know it's time to meditate."
The Controversies and the "Real" Cheryl
It hasn't all been soft lighting and rose-tinted filters. A few years back, she caught some heat for her comments on plus-size models, specifically regarding health standards. It sparked a massive debate about body image in the modern era. While some saw her views as outdated, others saw them as a reflection of the "old school" fitness era she helped build.
She’s also been through four marriages—to Stan Dragoti, Peter Beard, Anthony Peck, and Rod Stryker. She has three children, including twins born via surrogate when she was 52. That was a huge news story at the time, once again pushing the boundaries of what people thought was "normal" for her age.
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Key Facts at a Glance
To keep things simple, here’s the breakdown of the basics:
- Birth Date: September 25, 1947.
- Current Age: 78.
- Height: 5'10".
- Net Worth: Estimated around $30 million.
- Biggest Milestone: Being the first model to appear on the SI Swimsuit cover three times.
How to Apply the "Tiegs Mentality" Today
Seeing someone like Cheryl Tiegs approach 80 with that much energy is a bit of a wake-up call. It’s not just about the genetics (though, let’s be real, she hit the lottery there). It’s about the mindset.
If you want to age like a supermodel, the takeaway from her life isn't about buying expensive creams. It's about staying curious. She went to the Arctic to study global warming in her 60s. She started new businesses in her 50s.
Basically, don't let the calendar tell you what you're allowed to do.
If you're looking to dive deeper into classic fashion history or want to see how the industry has shifted since the 70s, your best bet is to look at the archives of Vogue or Harper’s Bazaar from the Tiegs era. You'll see exactly how she shifted the "look" of American beauty from the twiggy, fragile aesthetic to something much more athletic and approachable.