Kathleen Marie Ireland (born March 20, 1963) is an American model and actress turned author and entrepreneur. Ireland was a supermodel in the 1980s and 1990s, best known for appearing in 13 consecutive Sports Illustrated swimsuit issues. In 1993, she founded a brand marketing company, kathy ireland Worldwide (kiWW), which has made her one of the wealthiest former models in the world. As a result of her career as a businesswoman, she had made a $420 million personal fortune by 2015. In 2012, $2 billion worth of products bearing her company's brand were sold.
Kathy Ireland was born in Glendale, California, the daughter of John and Barbara Ireland.
When Ireland was sixteen in 1979, she was scouted at her high school by Elite Model Management.
She has appeared on covers for Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Forbes, and Mademoiselle.
According to Ireland, a photographer once "crossed the line" with her when she was a teenager and wanted her to pose topless. She did not feel comfortable and he did not respect her "no." He reportedly pushed her and got physical and she "decked him."
During Sports Illustrated swimsuit's 50th Anniversary event, Ireland's 1989 cover was awarded "The Greatest Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Cover Of All Time" by its publisher.
Statistics for this Xoptio
Best Sports illustrated Model 50
%
50
% Standard or average
Accomplished in her specialty 50
%
50
% Beautiful but not accomplished
Beauty and talent in abundance 50
%
50
% Overrated
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