About Christy Turlington
Christy Nicole Turlington was born on January 2, 1969, in Walnut Creek, California, to Dwain Turlington, a pilot, and María Elizabeth, a flight attendant from El Salvador. Raised in Danville, California, with two sisters, Erin and Kelly, she was discovered at 14 by photographer Dennie Cody while horseback riding in Miami. She began modeling locally, balancing school and work, and moved to New York at 18 after graduating from Monte Vista High School. She briefly attended UCLA and NYU, studying comparative religion and Eastern philosophy, but prioritized modeling. Turlington is of mixed heritage, with American (English and other European) ancestry from her father and Salvadoran descent from her mother, giving her a Latina background that she has acknowledged in interviews although she is not considered a Latina model. She is primarily known as Christy Turlington, though she later used Christy Turlington Burns after marriage. No notable aliases are associated with her modeling career.
Turlington rose to fame in the late 1980s and 1990s as part of "The Big 10," a group of supermodels that dominated the 1990s, where being a celebrity and appearing on MTV was as important as appearing on a runway or on a fashion magazine. They included Elle MacPherson, Cindy Crawford (Supermodel), Linda Evangelista, Stephanie Seymour, Tatjana Patitz, Christy Turlington, Helena Christensen, Claudia Schiffer, and Kate Moss." Known for her classic beauty, she appeared on over 500 magazine covers, including Vogue (U.S., British, Italian), Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, W, and Cosmopolitan. Iconic moments include her 1990 British Vogue cover with Campbell, Evangelista, Crawford, and Tatjana Patitz, and her role in George Michael’s Freedom! ’90 video. She starred in campaigns for Calvin Klein (notably Eternity in 1988), Maybelline, Chanel, and Versace, and walked runways for Yves Saint Laurent, Prada, and Valentino. She retired from runway modeling in 1994 but continued print work, appearing in Vogue’s 2019 issue and Louis Vuitton’s 2023 campaign.
Turlington signed with Ford Models in New York at 16, remaining with them throughout her career. She also worked with Elite Model Management and other international agencies during her peak. Her editorial work includes Vogue (multiple editions), Harper’s Bazaar, W, Elle, Marie Claire, and Allure. She was a favorite of photographers like Steven Meisel and Herb Ritts, appearing in Vogue Italia and Vogue U.S. regularly. Her work was featured in the 2009 Metropolitan Museum of Art’s The Model as Muse exhibition.
Turlington maintains a modest social media presence, with over 1 million Instagram followers (@cturlington). She shares content about her nonprofit, Every Mother Counts, family life, and occasional modeling throwbacks, using her platform to promote maternal health and wellness.
At 5’10” with brown hair and green eyes, Turlington’s measurements were approximately 34"-23"-34" during her peak, with a 34B bra size. Known for her symmetrical face, high cheekbones, and natural elegance, she has not confirmed cosmetic surgeries. She has a small tattoo on her ankle (a peace sign) and ear piercings.
Turlington’s appeal lies in her timeless beauty and grounded persona. Fans and designers, like Calvin Klein, praise her as the “perfect canvas” for her refined features and professionalism. Her expressive eyes, flawless skin, and graceful presence are often highlighted, with her authenticity setting her apart.
Her net worth is estimated at $40 million, earned through modeling, endorsements (Calvin Klein, Maybelline), and her wellness brand, Sundari (launched 1999, later sold). She also collaborated with Puma on activewear and authored Living Yoga (2002). Her peak earnings in the 1990s placed her among top models.
Turlington has avoided major controversies, maintaining a low-key public image. Minor scrutiny arose over her 1990s smoking in campaigns, which she later addressed as a personal regret, advocating for health awareness.
Her acting roles are limited, with appearances in Catwalk (1995, documentary) and Unzipped (1995, documentary). She featured in George Michael’s Freedom! ’90 (1990) and Duran Duran’s Notorious (1986) music videos. Turlington appeared on TV in The Super Models (2023, docuseries), No Glove, No Love (1994, MTV special), and as a guest on Oprah Winfrey and Charlie Rose, discussing modeling and philanthropy. She narrated No Woman, No Cry (2010), a documentary on maternal health.
Turlington dated actor Jason Patric in the early 1990s and married actor-filmmaker Edward Burns in 2003. They have two children, Grace (born 2003) and Finn (born 2006), and live in New York City. She is known for her stable family life and commitment to privacy.
Turlington’s legacy as a supermodel lies in her elegance and advocacy. She founded Every Mother Counts in 2010, raising millions for maternal health globally, inspired by her own childbirth complications. Her influence extends to models like Karlie Kloss, and her work in yoga and wellness promoted mindful living. She supports charities like CARE and the White Ribbon Alliance.
As of 2025, Turlington remains active in philanthropy, leading Every Mother Counts and advocating for maternal health. She occasionally models, appearing in campaigns like Loewe’s 2024 shoot, and shares wellness content via Instagram. She focuses on her family and nonprofit, maintaining her status as a respected figure in fashion and advocacy.
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