Christie Brinkley Height, Weight and Body Measurements

Christie Brinkley is commonly listed at about 5 ft 9 in / 175 cm, with a weight often quoted around 120 to 130 lb (roughly 54 to 59 kg). Those numbers come from profiles rather than from her, and she is better known for her ageless look than for stats. As of 2026 she is 72.

Quick facts

How tall is tall in modelling?

Nearly 5 ft 9 in sits right in the sweet spot for fashion work, a little above the average American woman and comfortably in the range agencies have long favoured for runway and print. What made Brinkley stand out wasn’t a number, though. It was the combination of an athletic, sun-lit California look and an easy, laughing screen presence that photographers loved. Her build has always been described as lean and toned rather than waif-thin, and she has talked in interviews about staying active through swimming, walking and yoga instead of strict numbers on a scale.

An accidental model

Brinkley was born in Michigan and grew up mostly in Southern California. After school she headed to Paris with the idea of studying art, and by most accounts she wasn’t planning to model at all. A photographer noticed her there, and a few test shots turned into paid work. Within a couple of years she was working steadily in Europe and then back in New York, where the magazines were waiting.

Cover girl era

She became a household name through Sports Illustrated‘s swimsuit issue, appearing on three consecutive covers from 1979 to 1981. Around the same time she signed with CoverGirl, a contract that ran for well over a decade and made her one of the most recognisable faces in American beauty advertising. Few models of that era managed to turn magazine covers into such a durable commercial career, and her name became shorthand for the wholesome, sunny glamour of the late 1970s and 80s.

She also became part of pop culture in a different way. In 1983 she appeared in the video for Billy Joel’s “Uptown Girl,” which cemented her status as more than just a face on a cover.

Film and television

Brinkley appeared in National Lampoon’s Vacation (1983) as the mysterious woman in the red Ferrari, a small role that’s still one of the film’s most quoted running gags. She later took stage work, including a turn as Roxie Hart in the Broadway production of Chicago, and has made numerous television appearances over the years as a guest, host and judge.

Style and approach

Ask fashion editors what defines a Brinkley look and the answers are consistent: long, loose hair, bright colours, simple tailoring and a lot of natural confidence. She has been photographed on red carpets in everything from sleek gowns to relaxed denim, and she has often posed for magazine shoots well past the age when most models retire. In 2017 she appeared in a Sports Illustrated swimsuit feature alongside her adult daughters, a moment that drew plenty of attention precisely because her career had come full circle.

Personal life and family

She was married to musician Billy Joel from 1985 to 1994. She has been married several times in all, and in public interviews she has often spoken warmly about her family, who have also appeared with her in media projects.

Business and causes

Brinkley has been involved in skincare and wellness lines, and she has long supported animal welfare and environmental work. She has been a visible advocate against offshore drilling and for local conservation efforts near her home on Long Island.

What fans ask

Readers searching for her measurements are usually curious about one thing: how she has stayed so recognisable for so long. The honest answer is that nobody outside her circle knows her exact routine, but she has often credited sleep, sunscreen, movement and a cheerful outlook. Public numbers for models of her generation were rarely verified, so treat any specific figure as a ballpark.

Frequently asked questions