About Paulina Porizkova
Pavlina Elisa Porizkova was born on April 9, 1965, in Prostějov, Czechoslovakia (now Czech Republic), to Anna Pořízková, a midwife, and Jiří Pořízek, a doctor. After her parents fled Soviet oppression in 1968, she was raised by her grandmother in Czechoslovakia until age 7, when she reunited with her family in Lund, Sweden, following their political asylum. Growing up in a working-class family with her younger brother, Jachym, she faced financial struggles and bullying for her refugee status. At 15, she was scouted by a photographer friend who sent her photos to Elite Model Management, leading to her discovery. She moved to Paris in 1980 to pursue modeling. Porizkova is of Czech descent but grew up in Sweden. She then moved as a teenager to the U.S. where she spent most of her life. She is a dual citizen of the U.S. and Sweden. She is primarily known as Paulina Porizkova, with no widely used aliases. In the 1980s, she was sometimes called “The Czech Siren” by media for her striking beauty and Eastern European origins.
Porizkova rose to fame in the 1980s as a supermodel, known for her sculpted features and intellectual charm. She appeared on over 200 magazine covers, including Vogue (U.S., French, German), Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, Cosmopolitan, and Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, where she landed covers in 1984 and 1985. Her breakthrough came with her 1983 Vogue cover, shot by Irving Penn. She starred in campaigns for Chanel, Estée Lauder, Oscar de la Renta, and Revlon, and walked runways for Calvin Klein, Yves Saint Laurent, and Thierry Mugler. Unlike many peers, she did not work with Victoria’s Secret, focusing on high fashion and beauty brands. Notable moments include her 1987 Harper’s Bazaar cover and her 1988 Playboy pictorial. Porizkova continues modeling, appearing in Vogue Czechoslovakia (2023) and Dior’s 2024 campaign.
Porizkova signed with Elite Model Management in 1980, later working with Ford Models and The Society Management. She maintained ties with Elite through her peak. Her editorial work includes Vogue (multiple editions), Harper’s Bazaar, W, Elle, Glamour, and Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. A favorite of photographers like Penn, Richard Avedon, and Annie Leibovitz, she embodied 1980s glamour with an intellectual edge. Her work was featured in the 2012 Vogue exhibition, The Model’s Moment.
Porizkova has a robust social media presence, with over 1 million Instagram followers (@paulinaporizkov). She shares modeling shots, aging advocacy, and personal essays, engaging fans with her candidness on beauty standards and grief.
At 5’11” with brown hair and blue eyes, Porizkova’s measurements were approximately 34"-24"-34" during her peak, with a 34B bra size. Known for her high cheekbones, full lips, and lean physique, she has admitted to minor Botox use but opposes invasive surgeries, embracing natural aging. She has no known tattoos or piercings.
Porizkova’s appeal lies in her striking beauty and outspoken intelligence. Fans and designers, like Calvin Klein, praise her as “a cerebral beauty” for her articulate presence. Her angular features, piercing eyes, and elegant posture are often highlighted, with her advocacy for aging gracefully setting her apart.
Her net worth is estimated at $10 million, earned through modeling, endorsements (Estée Lauder, Christian Dior), acting, and writing, including her memoir No Filter (2022) and novel A Model Summer (2007). She was a top-earning model in the 1980s, though financial disputes during her divorce impacted her wealth.
Porizkova faced controversies, including a public dispute over her late husband Ric Ocasek’s will, which excluded her, sparking media attention in 2019. Her outspoken criticism of ageism in fashion and media has drawn both praise and backlash, but she remains a vocal advocate. Her 1988 Playboy shoot stirred minor debate but was seen as empowering by supporters.
Her acting roles include Thursday (1998), Roommates (1995), and Arizona Dream (1993). She appeared in music videos, including The Cars’ Drive (1984), which boosted her fame, and Ric Ocasek’s Emotion in Motion (1986). Porizkova appeared on TV as a judge on America’s Next Top Model (2008–2010), guest-starred on Desperate Housewives (2010), and competed on Dancing with the Stars (2007). She featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show, The View, and CBS Sunday Morning, discussing her career and aging. She appeared in The Super Models (2023, docuseries, as a guest) and Beyond the Runway (2015, documentary).
Porizkova was married to The Cars frontman Ric Ocasek from 1989 until his death in 2019, with whom she has two sons, Jonathan (born 1993) and Oliver (born 1998). She dated screenwriter Aaron Sorkin in 2021 and lives in New York City, focusing on her sons and writing. She has been open about her grief and financial struggles post-Ocasek.
Porizkova’s legacy lies in her role as an 1980s supermodel and her advocacy for aging and authenticity. Her Sports Illustrated covers and high-fashion work made her a star, influencing models like Cindy Crawford. Her writings and social media presence challenge beauty norms, and she supports charities like the American Cancer Society and refugee organizations, reflecting her roots.
As of 2025, Porizkova models selectively, appearing in campaigns for Laura Biagiotti and editorials like Elle Czech Republic. She promotes her writing and aging advocacy on Instagram, speaks at events like TEDx, and focuses on her sons. She maintains her status as a bold voice in fashion and culture.
