She is one of the world’s richest former supermodels after launching a lucrative brand licensing company at the height of her successful cover girl career.
After getting her big break in modeling in the 1980s, the brunette beauty’s initial claim to fame was appearing on 13 consecutive issues of Sports Illustrated, including three covers, one of which the magazine would name as its best cover. of swimsuits of all time in 2014.
But these days it’s not so easy to catch a glimpse of the 60-year-old married mother of three, who was nearly unrecognizable during a rare appearance in Montecito last week.
Can you guess who it is?
The 13-time Sports Illustrated swimsuit model was spotted going out in her Montecito neighborhood earlier this week.
Dressed in a denim jacket, blue jeans and flip-flops, Ireland looked casual and relaxed, a stark contrast to the glamorous and explosive image she was known for in her heyday.
She was seen running errands at the local bank where she withdrew several hundred dollar bills.
It’s Kathy Ireland.
The model-turned-entrepreneur, who turns 61 later this month, was spotted leaving her neighborhood on Tuesday, making a quick stop at Pierre LaFond & Co Marketplace to purchase one of their popular $4 large cookies, exclusive photos show from DailyMail.com.
Dressed in a denim jacket, blue jeans and flip-flops, Ireland looked casual and relaxed, a stark contrast to the glamorous and explosive image she was known for in her heyday.
His The famous mane of tawny hair, however, was evident and flowing as she entered the store. She only spent a few minutes collecting some goods before leaving.
Locals and clients didn’t seem to recognize the down-to-earth local beauty that caused such a stir in the modeling and business world.
Ireland, who grew up in Santa Barbara, was seen again the next day running errands at the local bank where she withdrew several hundred-dollar bills.
At one point, she seemed engrossed with her cell phone and carefully checked her receipt as she walked back to her car.
The model-turned-entrepreneur, who turns 61 later this month, was spotted out and about in her neighborhood on Tuesday, during a quick trip to Pierre LaFond & Co Marketplace to pick up one of their popular $4 large cookies, photos show. exclusive to DailyMail.com.
Ireland rose to fame as a supermodel in the ’80s and ’90s and has appeared in Sports Illustrated for 13 consecutive swimsuit issues and on three covers.
Kathy was discovered by modeling agents at the age of 17, while attending finishing school.
To Montecito locals, the brunette bombshell is simply Kathy, the cute tomboy-turned-stunner who grew up surfing and biking in the idyllic beach town.
Ireland rose to fame as a supermodel in the 1980s and 1990s before launching her Kathy Ireland Worldwide (kiWW) business empire, which reportedly generates $2 billion a year and gives her a personal net worth of around $400. millions of dollars.
But to Montecito locals she’s just Kathy, the cute tomboy-turned-stunner who grew up on Santa Barbara’s Hammond’s Beach surfing, riding her bike on Coast Village Road and even had her own neighborhood paper route.
When she became a teenager of stunning beauty, she could be seen working as a hostess at the popular Petrini’s family restaurant and pizzeria in nearby Santa Barbara.
One local tells DailyMail.com: ‘Let’s say this: when Kathy had a shift, a ton of pizzas were sold. She wasn’t cocky back then either; She was, and is, one of the nicest people ever.
At the age of 17, Kathy was discovered while attending finishing school.
Her 1989 Sports Illustrated cover became one of the magazine’s best-sellers and she received the award for best Sports Illustrated swimsuit cover of all time during the magazine’s 50th anniversary event.
This was 40 years ago: the mermaid seen in a gym equipment advertisement
Today, Ireland runs a lucrative brand licensing business, Kathy Ireland Worldwide, which reportedly generates $2 billion a year and gives her a personal net worth of around $400 million.
Ireland married Dr Greg Olsen (left) in 1988 and the couple have three children, Erik, 29, Lily, 25, and Chloe, 20 (pictured right in 2019).
When she graduated high school in 1981, from San Marcos in Santa Barbara, she worked full time at Elite Modeling Agency.
She has appeared in Sports Illustrated magazine for 13 consecutive issues in swimsuits and on three covers.
In 1993 he started his business KIWW with a simple line of socks that became a success at the Kmart discount chain.
From there, their licensing agreements included furniture, rugs, clothing and a total of 15,000 products.
With her busy schedule, it’s no surprise that you don’t see her much in Montecito.
These days, Ireland’s social media shows that she stays very busy with her business and family.
In 2018 he sold his two-acre Tuscan-style estate there for nearly $13 million, but he still lives in the Santa Barbara area.
The devout Christian married Dr. Greg Olsen in 1988 and the couple have three children, Erik, 29, Lily, 25, and Chloe, 20.