With a dazzling smile that helped redefine American beauty, Christie Brinkley has turned decades of fame into a financial empire that continues to shine in 2025.
Best known as a legendary supermodel, actress, and entrepreneur, the 71-year-old icon rose to fame with her record-breaking Sports Illustrated Swimsuit covers and went on to dominate the worlds of fashion, television, and business.
Today, Christie Brinkley’s net worth in 2025 is estimated at a staggering $100 million — but her journey to lasting wealth is far more impressive than a single number.
From launching successful brands like Christie Brinkley Authentic Skincare and Bellissima Prosecco to staying active in TV and social causes, Brinkley remains as influential as ever, making headlines with recent business expansions and public appearances.
In this article, we’ll break down Christie Brinkley’s salary history, her biggest sources of income, luxury assets, career milestones, and the secrets behind her enduring success.
Christie Brinkley’s Net Worth in 2025
As of 2025, Christie Brinkley’s net worth is estimated to be around $100 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth and HotNewHipHop. This impressive figure reflects not only her enduring fame as a supermodel but also her strategic expansion into business ventures, real estate investments, and brand endorsements.
Brinkley’s financial journey showcases consistent growth, fueled by a mix of smart business moves and a long-standing public presence.
Estimated Net Worth Over the Years
| Year | Estimated Net Worth | Key Contributors |
| 2019 | $80 million | Real estate holdings, skincare brand launch |
| 2021 | $85 million | Bellissima Prosecco expansion, TV appearances |
| 2023 | $95 million | Increased property value, brand endorsements |
| 2025 | $100 million | Ongoing business growth, sustained media presence |
Contributors to Net Worth Wealth
Modeling Legacy: Ongoing royalties and brand value from her historic modeling career.
Entrepreneurship: Profits from Christie Brinkley Authentic Skincare and Bellissima Prosecco.
Real Estate: Major appreciation in her Hamptons properties, some of which are valued at tens of millions.
Endorsements and Licensing: Longstanding deals with beauty and wellness brands.
Television and Media: Appearances on shows and continued public engagements that keep her in the spotlight.
How Christie Brinkley Makes Her Money
Christie Brinkley’s impressive net worth is the result of a diversified income portfolio built over decades of strategic career and business moves. Here’s a breakdown of her major income streams:
Film and Television Salaries
While modelling remains her most famous career foundation, Brinkley has also earned from television and film appearances.
She gained widespread attention for her role as “The Girl in the Ferrari” in “National Lampoon’s Vacation” (1983), and returned for a cameo in the 1997 sequel.
Christie also starred on Broadway in “Chicago” as Roxie Hart, and participated in TV shows like “Dancing with the Stars” (though she exited early due to an injury).
Although her TV and Broadway salaries were not disclosed publicly, typical Broadway lead roles and reality TV appearances often pay between $50,000 and $150,000 per show or run, depending on the duration.
Endorsements and Brand Deals
She famously signed a 20-year contract with CoverGirl, the longest cosmetics contract ever signed by a model. Exact earnings from the deal remain private, but multi-million-dollar contracts are standard for such brand ambassadors.
She has also endorsed other brands across beauty, wellness, and lifestyle industries, securing deals that cumulatively brought in millions of dollars over her career.
Business Ventures and Investments
Brinkley transitioned into business with notable success:
Bellissima Prosecco: An organic, vegan-friendly sparkling wine brand she owns and promotes heavily. The brand’s success in the premium wine market has significantly boosted her wealth.
Christie Brinkley Authentic Skincare: A beauty line focusing on anti-aging products, tapping into the highly lucrative health and wellness industry.
In addition to her brands, she’s invested in wellness and lifestyle ventures that align with her brand, further diversifying her income.
Other Income Sources
Real Estate: Brinkley has bought, renovated, and sold several luxury homes, especially in the Hamptons. In 2019, her real estate portfolio was valued at approximately $60 million, a major asset class in her wealthg.
Book Publishing: She authored “Christie Brinkley’s Outdoor Beauty and Fitness Book” in the 1980s, which became a bestseller.
Public Appearances and Speaking Engagements: Brinkley also earns fees for attending events, making public speeches, and participating in brand activations.
Christie Brinkley Career Timeline
1954: Born on February 2 in Monroe, Michigan, USA.
1973
- Discovered by American photographer Errol Sawyer while studying art in Paris.
- Signed with Elite Model Management, launching her modeling career.
1975–1981
- Featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue for three consecutive years (1979, 1980, 1981) — a historic record.
- Signed a 20-year contract with CoverGirl, the longest-running cosmetics contract for any model at the time.
1983: Film debut as “The Girl in the Ferrari” in “National Lampoon’s Vacation” — iconic cameo role.
1983: Published “Christie Brinkley’s Outdoor Beauty and Fitness Book,” which became a best-seller.
1990s
- Expanded into television work, fitness videos, and further modeling campaigns.
- Began investing in real estate, purchasing multiple properties in the Hamptons.
1998: Played herself in the film “Vegas Vacation,” reprising her classic “Girl in the Ferrari” role.
2000s
- Focused heavily on real estate investments and philanthropic work.
- Actively participated in environmental and animal rights campaigns.
2010: Launched Christie Brinkley Authentic Skincare, an anti-aging skincare line.
2015: Became owner and spokesperson for Bellissima Prosecco, an organic, vegan-friendly wine brand.
2019: Announced that her real estate holdings, particularly in the Hamptons, were valued at approximately $60 million.
2019: Selected as a contestant on “Dancing with the Stars,” but withdrew due to injury; her daughter Sailor Brinkley-Cook took her place.
2023: Continued to expand Bellissima Prosecco internationally and remained active in beauty brand endorsements.
2025: Net worth estimated at $100 million, reflecting a career spanning modeling, entrepreneurship, acting, and investing.
Christie Brinkley’s Assets and Luxury Lifestyle
Over the decades, Christie Brinkley has built not only a financial empire but also a lavish lifestyle that reflects her iconic status. Her assets include an impressive real estate portfolio, luxury vehicles, high-end fashion collections, and other hallmarks of wealth.
Real Estate Holdings
Brinkley’s real estate investments are among her most valuable assets, primarily concentrated in the Hamptons, New York:
Tower Hill Estate (Bridgehampton, NY): A historic 20-acre property featuring a 50-foot observation tower. It was once listed for $29.5 million.
Sag Harbor Residence: A charming waterfront home listed for around $17.5 million when she considered selling it.
North Haven Property: Another luxury property, listed at $11.5 million.
In 2019, her combined Hamptons real estate holdings were valued at approximately $60 million, according to Wikipedia. These properties are known for their historic charm, lush gardens, and prime coastal locations.
Vehicles and Transportation
Though not publicly known for an extravagant car collection, Brinkley has been spotted driving luxury vehicles typical of elite lifestyles, including:
Range Rover SUVs and BMW convertibles, popular choices among celebrities for their blend of style and performance.
There are no verified reports that she owns a private jet, but given her stature and financial ability, she frequently flies first-class and charters private flights when needed for business or vacations.
Jewelry and Fashion
Brinkley’s style is elegant yet approachable:
- She owns a notable collection of fine jewelry, including diamond pieces often showcased at events and red carpet appearances.
- As a former model, she has exclusive access to couture fashion and frequently collaborates with top designers like Ralph Lauren and Michael Kors.
- Her everyday wardrobe often mixes luxury brands with laid-back Hamptons chic – think breezy dresses, designer sunglasses, and custom accessories.
Other Notable Luxuries
Art Collection: A trained artist herself, Brinkley is a passionate collector of art. Some sources note that she decorates her homes with valuable art pieces, many created or curated personally.
Health and Wellness Investments: Christie reportedly spares no expense on maintaining her youthful appearance, investing in premium skincare, nutritionists, fitness trainers, and wellness retreats.
Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Living: True to her advocacy roots, much of her luxury lifestyle is centered around eco-conscious choices, from organic food to sustainable home renovations.
Unique or Unusual Purchases
Brinkley is known for restoring historic homes, a passion that combines her love of architecture with investment savvy.
She also once made headlines for building a custom-designed kitchen in her Hamptons home featuring imported European materials and artisan finishes.
Christie Brinkley’s Personal Life
Christie Brinkley was born on February 2, 1954, in Monroe, Michigan. As of 2025, she is 71 years old. Raised in Southern California after her family relocated, she grew up in a creative household — her stepfather, Don Brinkley, was a well-known television writer and producer, which may have influenced her early exposure to the entertainment industry.
Family Background and Education
Brinkley attended Le Lycée Français de Los Angeles and later pursued art studies at the Paris American Academy in France. It was during her time in Paris that she was famously discovered by photographer Errol Sawyer, setting the stage for her modeling career.
Notable Relationships
Christie has been married four times, with her relationships often drawing media attention:
- François Allaux (1973–1981) – French artist.
- Billy Joel (1985–1994) – Legendary musician; she famously appeared in Joel’s “Uptown Girl” music video.
- Richard Taubman (1994–1995) – Real estate developer.
- Peter Cook (1996–2008) – Architect.
She has three children:
- Alexa Ray Joel (with Billy Joel), a singer-songwriter.
- Jack Paris Brinkley Cook and Sailor Brinkley-Cook, both of them are involved in modeling and entertainment.
Lifestyle Habits
Brinkley is well-known for her commitment to health and wellness, maintaining a vegetarian diet for most of her life and actively promoting fitness and natural skincare. Her dedication to a healthy lifestyle has helped preserve her youthful appearance and marketability, which continues to fuel her brand and endorsements.
Philanthropic Work
Christie Brinkley is also a passionate advocate for several causes:
- Animal rights: Longtime supporter of organizations like PETA.
- Environmental conservation: Actively supports ocean and wildlife preservation efforts.
- Humanitarian causes: Involved in fundraising for children’s health, cancer research, and disaster relief.
Fun Facts about Christie Brinkley
She was the first model to land a long-term contract with CoverGirl, a 20-year deal that redefined how beauty brands work with models.
Christie once bought and restored a 19th-century Hamptons mansion, turning it into a multi-million-dollar real estate investment.
Before modelling fame, she wanted to be an artist and studied illustration in Paris.
She’s an avid sailor and has a captain’s license, a hobby she says taught her patience and strategy, much like building her career.
Christie has appeared on over 500 magazine covers worldwide, more than almost any other model in history.
Net Worth Comparison Table
| Celebrity | Estimated Net Worth (2025) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Christie Brinkley | $100 million | Model, entrepreneur, actress |
| Cindy Crawford | $400 million | Model, businesswoman (Meaningful Beauty) |
| Naomi Campbell | $80 million | Model, actress, philanthropist |
| Elle Macpherson | $95 million | Model, wellness entrepreneur (WelleCo) |
| Gisele Bündchen | $400 million | Model, author, environmental activist |
FAQs
How much is Christie Brinkley’s net worth in 2025?
As of 2025, Christie Brinkley’s net worth is estimated at $100 million, driven by her modeling career, business ventures, real estate investments, and brand endorsements.
How did Christie Brinkley make most of her money?
Christie Brinkley built her wealth through modeling contracts, especially her 20-year CoverGirl deal, plus earnings from Bellissima Prosecco, real estate investments, and skincare business ventures.
What homes does Christie Brinkley own?
Brinkley owns several luxury properties in the Hamptons, including the Tower Hill Estate in Bridgehampton and homes in Sag Harbor and North Haven, valued collectively at around $60 million.
What businesses does Christie Brinkley own?
Christie Brinkley owns Christie Brinkley Authentic Skincare and the Bellissima Prosecco brand, both contributing significantly to her income and public brand.
Who has Christie Brinkley been married to?
Christie Brinkley has been married four times, notably to musician Billy Joel, architect Peter Cook, artist François Allaux, and developer Richard Taubman.
How much did Christie Brinkley earn from her acting and TV career?
While exact figures vary, Brinkley earned tens of thousands per appearance from projects like “National Lampoon’s Vacation,” Broadway’s “Chicago,” and reality shows, supplementing her primary income streams.
Conclusion
Christie Brinkley’s journey from a young art student in Paris to one of the most recognized and successful supermodels in history is nothing short of extraordinary. With an estimated net worth of $100 million in 2025, Brinkley has proven that true wealth comes from adaptability, smart investments, and an enduring personal brand.
Beyond her modeling fame, her ventures into skincare, organic beverages, real estate, and brand endorsements have kept her financially thriving for decades. As she continues to expand her businesses and stay active in the media and philanthropic worlds, there’s no doubt Christie Brinkley’s legacy and her fortune will remain strong well into the future.
Explore more celebrity net worth profiles on our site and discover the inspiring financial journeys of stars like Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell, and Gisele Bündchen.
Mohit is a media researcher and co-founder of TheNetWorths.com, with over 5 years of experience analyzing celebrity income, brand deals, and the creator economy. He delivers data-backed insights on how today’s stars grow their wealth and influence—trusted by readers and digital entrepreneurs.
