‘First American Supermodel’ Looks at 77 Without Hiding Her Wrinkles

This “First American Supermodel” is embracing her wrinkles and natural beauty at 77. Discover how this iconic figure has evolved over the decades, from her early days on magazine covers to her graceful life today.

In her younger years, this model was the image of all-American beauty, and her career quickly brought her international fame. She broke barriers in the fashion world and paved the way for many who came after her.

At the age of 17, she made history by appearing on the cover of Glamour magazine. While most models see their careers slow down in their 30s, she broke the norm and kept going strong.

At 31, Time magazine called her the ultimate All-American model, a rare honor that cemented her status as a cultural icon. But her career didn’t stop there.

She continued to charm fans with her timeless beauty and even appeared in Sports Illustrated’s famous swimsuit issue for the fourth time in 1996.

Her appearances in this legendary issue inspired others, including Gigi Hadid and Tyra Banks. A few years later, this supermodel graced the cover of More magazine in December 2000.

Recently, social media users admired a throwback photo of this pioneering model, with fans amazed at how stunning she looked.

“How did you even look like that! Insane! 🥳,” one fan wrote. “Oh my gosh, just ICONIC.❤️ ” added another. A third commented, “So pretty and natural…😉.”

As her modeling career slowed down, she moved into a new phase—motherhood. On July 1, 2001, she welcomed fraternal twins born via surrogate. At the time, she was married to yoga expert Rod Stryker and already had a 9-year-old son from a previous marriage.

At 53, she was taking care of newborns while others her age were becoming empty nesters. But for her, this new phase of life was a joy.

“I love the way my life has unfolded,” she shared. Now, this legendary model is also a grandmother. “My grand, Elektra, always sticks out her pretty little pink tongue when she smiles,” she captioned a sweet photo of her granddaughter in 2020.

Though her modeling days slowed, her personal life blossomed as her family grew, giving her joy and fulfillment beyond the runway.

As she grew older, she chose to age naturally, rejecting Hollywood’s pressures to get cosmetic surgery. Instead, she embraced her wrinkles and stayed beautiful well into her seventies.

When asked if being called an icon made her feel older, she said, “Nothing makes me feel older. Only I know all the years of insecurity and hard work that went into what I’ve done.”

Looking back on her career, she explained that her goal was always to push herself as far as she could. Even on tough days, she was thankful for her opportunities.

“I was paid well to do something I enjoyed,” she said. When asked how to age gracefully, she added, “You can’t just hope it happens; you really have to make an effort.”

She credited a balanced diet, regular exercise, and finding joy in life for keeping her youthful. Even as she aged, she stayed active with activities that made her happy.

“Do something that makes you happy. I love reading, and I gave that up for a while. Now I’m back to it. Find friends who make you laugh. I just want positive influences in my life — that’s where I’m at now. It’s a nice, healthy, happy state,” she shared.

Though called the “first American supermodel,” she saw the title as a nod to her enduring presence in the public eye after her modeling peak.

“Someone gave me that title. I think it’s a way of saying that I didn’t just disappear after a successful modeling career. I started other businesses,” she said.

She worked on “Good Morning America” and launched a clothing line for Sears. Unlike other models who turned to acting, she pursued business ventures that reflected her interests.

As of 2017, she finally took a well-earned break. “For the first time, I don’t have to set an alarm and go to work. I’m kind of on sabbatical. Sometimes I think about writing a book, but I get tired of talking about myself,” she joked.

This timeless beauty is Cheryl Tiegs. Read on to see her journey, from her early modeling days to her radiant presence at 77.