Christie Brinkley is more than just a veteran actress or iconic model; she is a woman who has worn multiple hats of being an artist, activist, entrepreneur and a romantic lover. While wearing her endearing smile on Sports Illustrated Covers, the actress’s personal life has been a journey of love, heartbreak, resilience and a hope to find the true love of her life.
As the actress recently opened up about some shocking claims about her fourth husband, Peter’s extra-marital affair with an 18-year-old, it has once again brought attention to her dating history, which was no less than her spectacular career with famous names and some deeply emotional moments. Here’s everything you must know about it.
Christie Brinkley recalled her first marriage with fondness
Christie Brinkley never came to Paris to carve a career, but simply stepped into the European City to get over an ex. But destiny had different plans for her as it marked the beginning of a stellar career and her star-studded dating life. When she was trying to make it as an artist in the new city, she met French artist, Jean-François Allaux, at the mere age of 19. Calling him one of her “two great loves”, Christie parted ways with him after regretting marriage at a young age. However, it didn’t deter her from fondly recalling their bond in later interviews. Talking about their marriage, she once told PEOPLE:
“We’d shampoo each other’s hair in our little garret.”
Brinkley soon became a household name in the late ’70s after she became a constant in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit. After her divorce in 1981, she met Chandon de Brailles, a race car driver and heir to the Moët And Chandon champagne fortune in the next year. But just as their bond began to find its ground, he passed away in a tragic car accident during his race in West Palm Beach. The loss was devastating, but didn’t stop the Jack and Jill actress from continuing to find love.
Christie Brinkley had a fairy tale marriage to Billy Joel
Christie Brinkley met her next ‘great love’ in rock legend, Billy Joel, at a dive bar, which began a whirlwind romance. The duo who wanted a forever love tied the knot in 1985, which was followed by the birth of their daughter, Alexa Ray. The songwriter wrote several popular songs as an ode to her, including Uptown Girl. Though the actress later clarified that it was not about her. Either way, his little gestures of love won Christie’s heart. The duo separated after nine years when their careers took a toll on their bond, yet they continued to be close friends, which has survived over the years. Billy even sang Uptown Girl for her in 2024 at his concert.
Christie Brinkley’s turbulent third and fourth marriages left her wary of love
After Christie Brinkley separated from Billy, she had a near-death experience in a helicopter crash in Colorado. Difficult to process, it made her bond with her co-passenger and real estate developer, Richard Taubman. Their love turned into marriage in 1994, and they had a son, Jack. However, the romance fizzled in a year, making the actress feel lost in the process. Then came architect, Peter Cook, whom she married in 1996. Despite welcoming a daughter, Sailor Lee Brinkley-Cook, the marriage ended in a scandalous divorce and custody battle after a decade when Christie discovered that her husband, was having an affair with a teenager. Recalling how a cop told the news, in her new memoir, she wrote:
“He told me I need to tell you that arrogant husband of yours has been having an affair with my teenage daughter. I was so stunned that I froze.”
Christie Brinkley continues to remain hopeful in love
After several years, Christie Brinkley found a companion in singer, John Mellencamp in 2015. Though opposites, they bonded over life experiences and having grown-up children. Still, their distance and career commitments made the duo part on amicable terms. But none of these experiences made Christie, now 71, give up on finding love. Sharing her feelings about finding love again, the actress shared with The New York Times:
“Everything I’ve been through, all the pain, the stupidity, I would do it again because I believe in love. I think it would be sad not to. I’m not sure I want to give up the freedom I have now. It gets harder to meet people and harder to trust. It would take a special person to get me to want to share my life.”
More details about these relationships are mentioned in Christie Brinkley’s recently released memoir, Uptown Girl.
Next Read: ‘Yellowstone’ Fame, Josh Lucas Marries Brianna Ruffalo In An Intimate Wedding, ‘Easily One Of…’