In the 1980s and 1990s, Kathy Ireland dominated the fashion runways, appeared in 13 straight Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issues, and accumulated an incredible wealth of $420 million.
With the world at her feet and Elizabeth Taylor as her guide, she was truly iconic.
However, nothing can compare to the way this 62-year-old icon appears now.
Found in high school
Kathy Ireland became the ultimate magazine cover queen with her iconic blue eyes, gorgeous red hair, and beautiful smile. Her inherent charm and immaculate body did more than just draw attention; they helped to define a certain period.
Born in 1963 in beautiful Santa Barbara, Kathy Ireland began modeling as a teenager and quickly gained international recognition. Her Hollywood-caliber glitz and all-American charm made her a household name in no time, garnering magazine covers and admirers worldwide.
It all began in 1979, when Ireland was just sixteen years old. She became a superstar after being discovered by Elite Model Management in her high school.
In her early modeling career, Ireland also encountered the negative aspects of the field.
Simply shutting up and posing is the job requirement for a model, and regardless of your appearance, people will criticize you. They will discover a flaw in you,” she stated in a 2014 interview with FIRST For Women.
When she was a teenager, she once stepped over the line when a photographer asked her to pose topless. Although Kathy didn’t feel at ease, the photographer didn’t respect her “no.”
He was pressing, and he shoved me after getting a little rough. Consequently, I decked him,” Kathy said.
The modeling industry’s difficulties
It was in the 1980s and 1990s that Ireland’s modeling career really took off. Sports Illustrated, Cosmopolitan, and Vogue were among the prominent magazines that featured her on their covers. Her three appearances on the Sports Illustrated cover in 1989 are a highlight of her career, and she will always be remembered for that cover.
It was especially memorable, Ireland says, since Julie Campbell, the editor of Sports Illustrated at the time, was “a strong business leader” and “an amazing woman”.
The modeling industry is a “tough business,” and Ireland has always been open about its difficulties.
But discipline was never something she took much pride in. “I never felt like I fit the description of perfection,” she acknowledged. “It didn’t always work for me because I tend to be rebellious at times,” she added, acknowledging her rebellious side. In certain cases, she even left jobs. Ireland was always conscious that her career in modeling was short-lived, even in spite of these setbacks. Along the process, she revealed, “I was trying and failing at many businesses.”
In her prime as a model, Kathy Ireland didn’t sit back and enjoy her success. She started performing, getting parts in movies and TV series, but her real passion was business.
Unlike other models, Kathy was already planning for the future. She was quietly setting the foundation for something much greater, even though she was well aware that her time on the catwalk wouldn’t last forever.
She was assisted by Warren Buffett.
Ireland took a risk in the early 1990s when she established Kathy Ireland Worldwide (KIWW), something that few models before her had the courage to do.
After her name-brand socks sold an astounding 100 million pairs in 1993, Kmart took notice and allowed Ireland to launch her own clothes line. What began as a small collection of socks swiftly grew into a worldwide licensing business.
We were told by many that it would never work. Socks aren’t enough to launch a huge lifestyle brand! “You must enter the retail market with swimwear,” Kathy urged Darlene Schacht in 2008.
With approximately $1.9 billion in retail sales yearly, Kathy Ireland Worldwide has grown into a multi-billion dollar company throughout the years, according to Forbes magazine.
In 2003, Ireland left Kmart and, on the recommendation of her mentor and good friend Warren Buffett, grew her company into home furnishings. Her brand continued to flourish across a range of industries thanks to her calculated move.
Instead of pursuing upscale luxury markets, Kathy decided to concentrate on affordable, high-quality goods for regular consumers, especially middle-class families. Because of her practical approach, Kathy Ireland became a forerunner in the field of business and KIWW became a billion-dollar enterprise.
Her father taught her this.
Kathy Ireland Worldwide, her company, made an incredible $3.1 billion in retail sales in 2021 alone. With a global ranking of number 15, Ireland’s brand has grown to be a dominant force across several industries, earning her a place in the Licensing Hall of Fame.
Her incredible transformation from a cover girl to a multimillionaire businesswoman has also inspired several active fashion models, demonstrating that success involves much more than merely posing for the camera.
Kathy says that “thousands of hours of work performed by many, many people” are responsible for her achievement. She does admit, however, that a large portion of her motivation and work ethic stem from her childhood and the important lessons she received from her labor relations executive father, John.
I worked all the time as a child. During my newspaper route days, my father instilled in me the value of giving it my all. Give the customer more than they anticipate. Place it on the front porch if the consumer expects the paper to be in the driveway. That served as the cornerstone of our education: to overdeliver and underpromise, according to Kathy.
Ireland has maintained a strong foundation in philanthropy despite her professional achievements. Kathy utilizes her riches and connections to give back, whether it is to healthcare, education, or reducing poverty.
Kathy Ireland’s children
She has made it apparent that leaving a lasting impact is more important to her than simply making money. Ireland is a loving mother to her three children, despite everything.
The former high-profile model wed Dr. Greg Olsen in 1988. Erik, their son, and Lily and Chloe, their daughters, make up their family.
I enjoy spending time with each of my children individually, especially as they grow older and their personalities truly begin to emerge. In 2007, she told People, “It doesn’t have to be a complex, costly activity, and you don’t need a whole day.”
Elizabeth Taylor served as her mentor.
Kathy Ireland has long acknowledged the importance of her family in helping her succeed in her work. Her life and career, however, were profoundly influenced by her close friendship with the legendary Elizabeth Taylor.
Together, the two celebrities traveled to public events, developing a relationship that extended beyond their shared famous status. Taylor defended Ireland after she was criticized for her performance as the on-air host of ABC’s 2010 pre-Oscar special.
Taylor reportedly remarked, “I have never seen anyone epitomize glamour and grace and professionalism like she did,” providing a potent endorsement during a period of criticism directed at Ireland.
Ireland talked a lot about Taylor’s significant impact on her life in the years that followed. Her success in business, design, and philanthropy can be attributed to Taylor’s mentoring, which she acknowledges.
Evangelical Christian and opponent of abortion
Kathy is now sixty-two years old, a devoted Christian and an opponent of abortion. Many people admire her refreshingly optimistic outlook on aging, and she continues to put her all into the things she is passionate about.
“I’m actually enjoying growing older, but it’s a journey,” she explains. “” “There is nothing that I would change in the past. My goal is to get better every year. As long as I continue to improve, I look forward to old age and don’t want to stagnate.
One of the most important lessons she learned during her modeling career is that her identity was neither defined or destroyed by the opinions of others.
She attributes one of her biggest pleasures to being able to maintain her health and fitness at the age of sixty-two.
Being a late bloomer, I had an incredible metabolism and continued to grow until I was in my 20s. It made a big difference that I could enjoy hot fudge sundaes for morning. I take great pride in the fact that, at sixty, I am able to do all the things I enjoy. I feel very fortunate to be well.
How she appears nowadays
Kathy quietly incorporates fitness into her daily activities to maintain her vibrant attitude. “I adore the outdoors,” she says. “Being from California, I’m seventh generation, so I adore the mountains and the ocean. I also enjoy hiking, biking, surfing, and taking walks.”
Kathy Ireland has always approached eating in a balanced way, refusing to adhere to any rigid diet or label meals as “good” or “bad.” Since she felt that starving herself was never the best course of action, she instead embraced the concept of balance. She experimented with several diets throughout the years, but she never stuck to one because she preferred to concentrate on being healthy rather than following rigorous rules.
As much as she could, she made sure to include raw, fresh fruits and vegetables in her meals. Her passion for berries, bananas, apples, and exotic fruits grew with time. Even the once-disliked Brussels sprouts turned into a favorite.
At sixty-two, Kathy Ireland is still gorgeous and full of energy. She has remained loyal to her roots, managing a prosperous business and leading a healthy lifestyle.
The fact that she has accepted aging and is still physically and mentally engaged is admirable. She remains grounded and personable despite her success, which makes her an excellent role model. She obviously doesn’t intend to slow down anytime soon and is enjoying life to the fullest!
