Super Crushes
For a whole lot of Baby Boomer men, these women weren't just supermodels. They were the crush. They stared back from magazine covers, swimsuit calendars, television commercials, and probably a few bedroom walls too.
Back then, everybody knew who they were. Today, mention some of these names to the average Millennial guy and he'll be reaching for Google before you finish the sentence. Let's see how many you remember.
Cheryl Tiegs
Before most people had even heard the term 'supermodel,' there was Cheryl Tiegs. She seemed to be everywhere in the 70s, especially after her famous Sports Illustrated swimsuit covers. For a lot of Boomer guys, Cheryl Tiegs wasn't one of the crushes. She was the crush.
Christie Brinkley
For a stretch in the late 70s and 80s, Christie Brinkley was about as unavoidable as the weather. Magazine covers, swimsuit issues, commercials—she was everywhere. Somehow, she always looked like she was having more fun than everyone else, which probably didn't hurt her popularity.
The Heart Truth, Wikimedia Commons
Kathy Ireland
If you were flipping through a Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue in the late 80s, chances are you stopped on Kathy Ireland's pages. She became one of the biggest modeling stars of the decade. Today she's a wildly successful businesswoman, but that's not why most Boomers remember her.
Kathy ireland worldwide, Wikimedia Commons
Kim Alexis
Kim Alexis had the all-American look advertisers absolutely loved. Throughout the 80s, she became one of the most recognizable models in the country without needing scandals or tabloid drama. That's actually pretty impressive when you think about it.
John Mathew Smith & www.celebrity-photos.com from Laurel Maryland, USA, Wikimedia Commons
Carol Alt
If there was a magazine rack nearby in the 80s, there was a decent chance Carol Alt was on it. Her striking look helped make her one of the decade's biggest modeling stars. Plenty of Boomer men probably remember her face instantly, even if they haven't heard her name in years.
MiamiFilmFestival, Wikimedia Commons
Beverly Johnson
Beverly Johnson made history when she became the first Black woman to appear on the cover of American Vogue. She also happened to be one of the most admired models of her generation. Her influence stretched far beyond fashion and helped open doors throughout the industry.
Photo by Christopher Peterson, Wikimedia Commons
Lauren Hutton
Lauren Hutton proved that standing out was sometimes better than fitting in. Her famous gap-toothed smile became one of the most recognizable looks in modeling. Decades later, she's still one of the first names many people think of when discussing 70s fashion icons.
Kingkongphoto & www.celebrity-photos.com from Laurel Maryland, USA, Wikimedia Commons
Janice Dickinson
Janice Dickinson never exactly lacked confidence. She famously claimed to be the world's first supermodel and spent years backing up that confidence with a hugely successful career. Even among a crowd of beautiful people, Janice always found a way to stand out.
Patti Hansen
Many people know Patti Hansen today because of her marriage to Keith Richards. Before that, she was already one of the biggest models in the world. During the late 70s and early 80s, she landed major campaigns and became a celebrity crush for countless fans.
Dominique Charriau, Getty Images
Margaux Hemingway
Being Ernest Hemingway's granddaughter got attention, but Margaux Hemingway built her own fame. She became one of the highest-paid models of the late 70s and one of the most recognizable faces in fashion. For a while, she seemed absolutely everywhere.
IPPA photographer, Wikimedia Commons
Susan Anton
For a few years, Susan Anton was one of those celebrities who seemed to pop up everywhere you looked. Television, magazine covers, commercials—you name it. She had the kind of blonde bombshell appeal that made her a major celebrity crush during the late 70s and early 80s.
Jerry Hall
Long before people knew her primarily through Mick Jagger, Jerry Hall was already one of the most successful models in the world. Her towering height, Texas charm, and unmistakable look helped make her a fixture on magazine covers throughout the 70s and 80s.
Immortal-truth, Wikimedia Commons
Gia Carangi
Gia Carangi's career wasn't long, but her impact was enormous. Many fashion insiders consider her one of the first true supermodels. Her photographs still feel modern today. If you've ever wondered where the supermodel era really started, Gia is part of the answer.
Brooke Shields
Brooke Shields became famous at an age when most people are worried about homework. Modeling, commercials, movies, magazine covers—she seemed to be everywhere. Whether people remember the Calvin Klein ads or her film career, she was impossible to ignore.
PH1 Doty, U.S. Navy, Wikimedia Commons
Kelly LeBrock
Before she became a movie star, Kelly LeBrock was already one of the most successful models in the business. Her famous Pantene commercials made her a household name. If you remember 'Don't hate me because I'm beautiful,' you definitely remember Kelly LeBrock.
Kim Basinger
Before Hollywood came calling, Kim Basinger worked as a successful fashion model. Looking back, it's not exactly hard to see why. By the time she transitioned into acting, she had already established herself as one of the most recognizable beauties of her era.
Unknown authorUnknown author, Wikimedia Commons
Iman
Iman's beauty helped make her famous, but her intelligence and business success helped keep her there. Long before she became widely known as David Bowie's wife, she was already one of the most respected and admired models in the world.
Kingkongphoto & www.celebrity-photos.com from Laurel Maryland, USA, Wikimedia Commons
Kelly Emberg
Kelly Emberg may not be the first name younger generations think of today, but Boomers remember her. Her modeling success and high-profile relationship with Rod Stewart kept her firmly in the spotlight throughout much of the 80s.
Paulina Porizkova
Paulina Porizkova arrived in the 80s and immediately stood out. Her combination of glamour, confidence, and cover-girl appeal helped make her one of the decade's biggest stars. She was also one of those rare models whose name people actually remembered.
David Sedlecký, Wikimedia Commons
Elle Macpherson
There are celebrity nicknames, and then there's being known simply as 'The Body.' Elle Macpherson earned that nickname during one of the most successful modeling careers of the 80s. For many Boomer men, that nickname probably tells the whole story.
Rachel Hunter
Rachel Hunter became one of the biggest modeling names of the late 80s and early 90s. Her marriage to Rod Stewart certainly kept her in the headlines, but she was already a major star before that. She had the kind of fame most models only dream about.
lukeford.net, Wikimedia Commons
Bo Derek
Technically, Bo Derek became famous through film, but modeling was where it all started. After 10, she became one of the biggest beauty icons on the planet. If you were around in the late 70s, you don't need anyone explaining who Bo Derek was.
Kingkongphoto & www.celebrity-photos.com from Laurel Maryland, USA, Wikimedia Commons
Vendela Kirsebom
Vendela Kirsebom became a familiar face during the late 80s and 90s thanks to major campaigns and magazine appearances. She may not be as widely remembered today, but at the time she was one of the most recognizable models in the industry.
Cindy Crawford
If the supermodel era had a grand finale, it might have been Cindy Crawford. Her famous beauty mark became nearly as recognizable as she was. Even today, she's one of the few names on this list that younger generations still tend to recognize immediately.
Kingkongphoto & www.celebrity-photos.com from Laurel Maryland, USA, Wikimedia Commons
The Women Who Ruled The Magazine Rack
Today, celebrity crushes are built on social media. Back then, they were built on magazine covers, swimsuit issues, television commercials, and giant posters hanging on bedroom walls. These women were everywhere. And if you're a Boomer, there's a pretty good chance you still remember every single one of them.
Georges Biard, Wikimedia Commons
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