About Carol Alt
Carol Ann Alt was born on December 1, 1960, in Flushing, Queens, New York, to Muriel Alt, an airline employee and model, and Anthony Alt, a fire chief. Raised in East Williston, Long Island, with three siblings—Karen, Christian, and Candice—she grew up in a middle-class family. She attended Hofstra University on an ROTC scholarship, studying pre-law, but left in 1980 after being scouted by Elite Model Management during her freshman year while waitressing. She moved to Manhattan to pursue modeling full-time. Alt is of German, Irish, and Belgian descent, with her family rooted in the U.S. She has occasionally referenced her New York upbringing as shaping her driven personality. She is primarily known as Carol Alt, with no widely used aliases. In the 1980s, she was sometimes called “The Face” by Elite for her striking features.
Alt rose to fame in the 1980s as a supermodel, known for her statuesque beauty and expressive face. She appeared on over 700 magazine covers, including Vogue (U.S., Italian), Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, Cosmopolitan, and Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, where she debuted in 1982 and landed the cover in 1983. Her campaigns included Lancôme, CoverGirl, Pepsi, and General Motors, and she walked runways for Halston, Calvin Klein, and Ralph Lauren. A key moment was her 1982 Vogue cover, shot by Richard Avedon, cementing her as a fashion icon. Unlike many peers, she did not work with Victoria’s Secret, focusing on high fashion and commercial brands. Alt continued modeling selectively, appearing in Vogue Italia (2018) and Sports Illustrated Swimsuit (2023, at age 62).
Alt signed with Elite Model Management in 1980, remaining with them through her peak. She later worked with Ford Models and Trump Model Management for select projects, maintaining ties with Elite. Her editorial work includes Vogue (multiple editions), Harper’s Bazaar, W, Elle, Glamour, and Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. A favorite of photographers like Francesco Scavullo and Patrick Demarchelier, she embodied 1980s glamour. Her Sports Illustrated work was featured in the magazine’s 50th-anniversary exhibition (2014).
Alt has a modest social media presence, with over 100,000 Instagram followers (@carolalt). She shares modeling throwbacks, raw food lifestyle tips, and updates on her health brand, Raw Essentials, engaging fans with her wellness focus.
At 5’11” with brown hair and blue eyes, Alt’s measurements were approximately 34"-24"-34" during her peak, with a 34B bra size. Known for her angular cheekbones, full lips, and athletic frame, she has not confirmed cosmetic surgeries, crediting her appearance to a raw food diet adopted in 1996. She has no known tattoos or piercings.
Alt’s appeal lies in her bold beauty and approachable charm. Fans and designers, like Halston, praised her as “a chameleon” for her versatility in high fashion and commercial shoots. Her piercing eyes, sculpted features, and confident presence are often highlighted, with her longevity in modeling setting her apart.
Her net worth is estimated at $25 million, earned through modeling, endorsements (Lancôme, Hanes), acting, and her raw food ventures, including Raw Essentials skincare and books like Eating in the Raw (2004). She was a top-earning model in the 1980s, commanding high fees for covers and campaigns.
Alt faced minor controversies, including criticism in the 1990s for promoting raw food diets, which some nutritionists questioned. She defended her lifestyle, citing personal health benefits. Her 2008 lawsuit against Fox News over a fabricated interview was settled privately, avoiding major scandal.
Her acting roles include Private Parts (1997), Snakehead Terror (2004), and Italian films like Via Montenapoleone (1987) and Beyond Justice (1992). She starred in over 50 TV movies and miniseries, notably Thunder in Paradise (1994). She appeared in music videos, including Billy Joel’s River of Dreams (1993). Alt appeared on TV in Baywatch Nights (1995), Wings (1996), and Diagnosis: Murder (1998). She competed on Celebrity Apprentice (2008, raising funds for charity) and guest-starred on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Rachael Ray, and Dr. Oz, discussing her raw food lifestyle. She hosted A Healthy You & Carol Alt on Fox News (2013–2015) and appeared in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit: 50 Years of Beautiful (2014).
Alt was married to Ron Greschner, a New York Rangers hockey player, from 1983 to 1996. She dated Ayrton Senna, the Formula 1 driver, in the 1990s and was engaged to Alexei Yashin, a hockey player, from 2000 to 2002. She has been with David Koch, a businessman, since 2011, living in New York and Los Angeles. She has no children, prioritizing her career and health advocacy.
Alt’s legacy lies in her pioneering role as a 1980s supermodel and her reinvention as a health advocate. Her Sports Illustrated covers made her a household name, influencing models like Christie Brinkley. Her raw food advocacy sparked wellness trends, and she supports charities like the American Heart Association and Tony Alt Memorial Foundation, honoring her late brother. Her book The Raw 50 (2007) inspired health-conscious audiences.
As of 2025, Alt models occasionally, appearing in campaigns for her Raw Essentials brand and editorials like Elle Canada. She promotes her raw food lifestyle through books, speaking engagements, and Instagram, and continues advocacy for holistic health. She remains active in philanthropy and maintains her status as a timeless figure in fashion and wellness.
