Her sexy swimsuit wraps and iconic “pink bikini” poster hung in every boy’s bedroom nearly four decades ago, but would they still recognize her today?
The woman Time magazine once dubbed “The All American Model” in 1978 was spotted leaving a hairdressing appointment in Montecito, California, on Friday, according to photos from DailyMail.com.
The 75-year-old arrived for a morning appointment at the popular Halo & Horns parlor for their signature $55 “Fab Blow Out” on Coast Village Road just before the weekend rush hour.
She had the place to herself and within half an hour she was walking back to her car, a light breeze blowing into her fresh new haircut.
Have you guessed her identity yet?
America’s ‘first supermodel’ was spotted leaving a hair salon in Montecito on Friday with a fresh blowout
The former cover girl, 75, looked comfortable and casual in a black tracksuit and was bareheaded — unlike the sassy, glamorous looks she was famous for in the 1970s
The blonde beauty is none other than supermodel Cheryl Tiegs.
While there have been several sightings of the former cover girl in the Santa Barbara area since the early 1980s, Tiegs has managed to stay under the radar of photographers in recent years.
She wore no makeup for the outing, sporting a black tracksuit, white sneakers and a large green handbag.
If there’s one famous face that deserves the crown of ‘America’s first supermodel,’ it’s her.
The Minnesota-born beauty moved west with her family and graduated from Alhambra High School in 1965.
Tiegs is best known for her Sports Illustrated cover shoots, and her pink bikini poster in 1978 became an iconic pop culture image
The fresh-faced cheerleader and homecoming princess caught the eye of California bathing suit manufacturer Cole.
It was this advertisement – made in her senior year – that appeared in Seventeen magazine and subsequently launched her fast-paced career in the modeling industry.
She is best known for her work with Sports Illustrated and the critically acclaimed “swimsuit issue.”
Tiegs appeared on the cover several times, in 1970, 1975 and 1983 – but it’s her infamous 1978 see-through fishnet swimsuit photos that caught the world’s attention.
A bathing suit has never been so revealing and eye-catching. So much so that her pink bikini poster became an iconic pop culture image of the 1970s.
Tiegs arrived for a morning appointment at the popular Halo & Horns parlor for their signature $55 ‘Fab Blow Out’ on Coast Village Road
She wore no makeup for the outing, sporting a black tracksuit, white sneakers and a large green handbag
Tiegs, who retired in 2019, has managed to stay under the radar of photographers in recent years
After a successful modeling career, Tiegs has seen success as an author, designer, and philanthropist
Tiegs appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated in 1970, 1975 and 1983
By the 1980s, Tiegs had signed with Cover Girl cosmetics – worth $1.5 million – launched her own signature clothing line for Sears and wrote her first book, The Way To Natural Beauty.
Tiegs responded to being labeled America’s first supermodel Artistic life in 2017: ‘Of course someone gave me that title. I guess it’s a way of saying that I didn’t just disappear from view after a very successful modeling career; After that I started other companies.’
In a July 2020 Instagram post, the fashion icon reflected on a highlight of her illustrious career by paying tribute to TIME magazine — which she says “changed her life.”
She also attributed her success to being a hard worker.
“I would come early and stay late if they wanted me to because I was so thankful for the money I made and the great job,” she added.
“I think over the years – not to brag – but I think I’ve gained a reputation for being nice and easy going, so then I think people want to work with you.”
Years earlier, Tiegs made headlines after criticizing plus-size model Ashley Graham’s history-making Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Cover, which she said glorified unhealthy figures.
Tiegs was the first model to appear on the cover of SI Swimsuit twice
As for her personal life, Tiegs has been married and divorced four times. She is seen with second husband Peter Beard in 1982
Graham, who wears a size 44, made Sports Illustrated Swimsuit history by becoming the first woman of her size to cover the iconic number in February 2016.
“I don’t like that we’re talking about curvy women because it glorifies them, and your waistline should be less than 35” [inches] Tiegs told E! News at the time.
“That’s what Dr. Oz said and I stand by that.’
The comments drew criticism from Graham and the public, prompting Tiegs to clarify and apologize days later on Twitter.
‘To clarify body weight. Anorexia/bulimia/overweight are all linked to health problems. I want everyone to be as healthy as possible. [sic]she wrote.
My sincere apologies to everyone I’ve hurt. I really want everyone to be healthy and happy, [sic]she added in a follow-up tweet.
Life off the camera has proved a bit more challenging for the famous model, author, designer and philanthropist.
She has been married and divorced four times.
She was married from 1970 to 1979 to first husband, film director Stan Dragoti. She was then married to photographer Peter Beard (1981-1983) for two years.
Seven years later, she tied the knot with Anthony Peck – son of To Kill A Mockingbird actor Gregory Peck – with whom she shares a son, Zachary Peck, 31. The marriage ended in 1995.
Tiegs posed with fellow Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover girls at the magazine’s 1995 launch party. Pictured are (L-R): Cheryl Tiegs, Manon Von Gerkan, Vendela, Talisa Soto and Rebecca Romijn
Since retiring from modeling, Tiegs has worked on projects as an author, designer and philanthropist. She can be seen at Project Angel Food’s Angel Awards Gala in September 2019
Her last and most controversial union was with yoga instructor Rod Stryker (1998-2001).
After struggling to conceive through IVF at age 52, Tiegs and Stryker welcomed twins Theo and Jaden via surrogate in 2000.
Legal battles between the couple resulted in Stryker getting full custody of the boys who are now 22.
“My ex has custody of the twins because he’s Jewish and he wanted to raise them Jewish,” she said in an old interview.
“We also have an agreement to keep them out of the press. He was adamant about it, and I said fine with me.”
Her son Zach made her grandmother of his children Atticus and Elektra.