Discover Cheryl Tiegs net worth! From supermodel to business mogul—see how she earned her fortune.
Cheryl Tiegs, a well-known American model, has a net worth estimated at around $30 million. Starting her career at just 17, she quickly rose to fame after appearing on the covers of Glamour and Sports Illustrated. Her iconic pink bikini poster from the 1970s helped solidify her status as a fashion icon. (1)
She didn’t just capture hearts; she transformed the modeling industry and raked in impressive earnings through endorsements and acting gigs. If you’re curious about how her wealth compares to other supermodels or want to know her secret to success, keep reading!
Key Takeaway
- Cheryl Tiegs’ net worth is estimated to be between $24 million and $30 million.
- Her wealth comes from modeling, acting, and successful business ventures.
- Tiegs is known for her iconic appearances and endorsement deals with major brands.
Early Life and Background
Birth and Family
Cheryl Rae Tiegs was born on September 25, 1947, in Breckenridge, Minnesota. Her parents, Phyllis and Theodore Tiegs, raised her in a modest, hardworking household. Theodore worked as an auto-assembly lineman before becoming a funeral director. Cheryl’s family had German roots, a heritage that shaped her upbringing. Small-town life gave her a simple start, but bigger things were waiting for her beyond Minnesota’s borders.
In 1952, the Tiegs family packed up and moved to Alhambra, California. It was a different world—more people, more opportunities. The move changed everything for Cheryl. California had a thriving entertainment industry, and even a young girl could dream big. It wasn’t long before those dreams started turning into reality.
School and Early Modeling
Cheryl attended Alhambra High School. She was a bright student with a love for English, later majoring in it at California State University, Los Angeles. But school wasn’t her only focus. A friend encouraged her to model for a swimsuit ad. That ad, for Cole of California, ended up in Seventeen magazine. It was her first taste of the modeling industry. She liked it.
The Start of Cheryl Tiegs’ Career
Cheryl Tiegs was only 17 when she stepped into the modeling industry. That’s young, but her timing was perfect. Fashion was changing, and fresh faces were in demand. She didn’t waste time—her first major break came when Glamour put her on the cover. That kind of exposure meant her career moved fast. She didn’t just model; she became the look of an era.
Then came Sports Illustrated. Not once, not twice, but three times—1970, 1975, and 1983. That cemented her status as an American model with supermodel potential. The 1970s and 1980s were peak years for her. She wasn’t just in magazines; she was the magazine cover people remembered.
And then there was the pink bikini poster in 1978. It was everywhere. Sold millions. Taped on walls. A cultural moment. That image alone made her one of the biggest pin-up girls of the time, right up there with Farrah Fawcett.
Revenue Streams
Modeling Fame
A magazine cover can change everything. Cheryl Tiegs knew that better than most. She was on Glamour at just 17. Then Vogue. Then Harper’s Bazaar. The covers kept coming. By 1979, Cheryl wasn’t just famous—she was wealthy. That year, she signed a contract with Cover Girl worth $1.5 million. Biggest modeling contract ever at the time. Unheard of. But she wasn’t just about magazine covers; she knew how to turn her face into a brand. (2)
Her endorsements stacked up. Revlon. Pantene. Clairol. She wasn’t just a model anymore; she was a spokesmodel. That meant TV commercials, magazine spreads, billboards. Her face was on everything.
Then came acting. She appeared in television shows, guest spots, even movies. Not major roles, but enough to keep her in the public eye. Every appearance added to her net worth. Her earnings weren’t just from modeling anymore—they came from endorsements, appearances, licensing deals. Smart moves for a model in an era before social media.
- Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue made her a superstar. She was the first model to land two covers.
- The “Pink Bikini” poster? That was 1978. It sold millions and cemented her as a pin-up icon.
- She didn’t just pose; she shaped 1970s fashion. Soft waves, effortless beauty, sun-kissed skin.
Every shot added to her modeling career, earnings, and net worth. This was peak supermodel status.
Endorsement Contracts
Models don’t just model. They sell. Tiegs landed a Cover Girl contract in 1979. $1.5 million—unheard of at the time.
- Her face became the brand’s face.
- That contract was a game-changer, elevating both her career and the company’s market share.
- Revlon tapped her later, adding cosmetics and beauty products to her income sources.
The right brand, the right face—it was a formula for wealth.
Retail and Fashion Ventures
Cheryl Tiegs wasn’t content with just modeling. In 1980, she became the first supermodel to launch her own clothing and accessories line. She partnered with Sears, and it was a huge success. Nearly $1 billion in sales over a decade. Not bad for a model who people thought was just a pretty face.
She understood business. In 1995, she launched Cheryl Tiegs Sportswear on QVC. Direct-to-consumer shopping was a new frontier, and she jumped in early. People bought what she wore. She even expanded into beauty—designing wigs and hair accessories for Revlon.
Her career wasn’t just about photoshoots. It was about strategy. She invested in real estate, buying luxury homes in Bel Air and California. She diversified—fashion, endorsements, television, business ventures. That’s why her celebrity net worth stayed high even after she stepped away from the runway.
- $1 billion in sales over a decade.
- The line helped Sears bounce back financially in the ‘80s.
- QVC came next, with Cheryl Tiegs Sportswear in 1995.
- She also designed wigs and accessories for Revlon.
Not every model transitions into business. She did. Her fashion career turned into a retail empire.
Real Estate Investments
Cheryl knew the value of smart investments. Real estate, for one, offered a path to long-term wealth. She purchased a 1.5-acre property in Bel Air, California, in 1996 for $2 million. By August 2020, she sold it for $14 million. Thats a serious return.
Property values tend to appreciate over time, making real estate a solid asset. Cheryl understood this well. Her ability to turn a profit from high-value properties added another dimension to her financial success.
Houses tell a different story—one of patience, risk, and wealth-building. Tiegs had an eye for luxury real estate.
- Holmby Hills: Another mansion, later on the market for $18.5 million.
- August 2020: Her Bel Air home sold for $14 million.
Real estate wasn’t just an asset—it was part of her financial success strategy.
Television Appearances
Cheryl didn’t just stick to modeling and business. She stepped into television. She competed on Celebrity Apprentice and worked as a judge on True Beauty. These roles brought her more exposure and added to her income. Fame isn’t static. Tiegs adapted.
- Celebrity Apprentice showcased her business acumen.
- True Beauty put her in the judge’s seat.
- Other television shows kept her in the public eye, reinforcing her brand.
TV wasn’t just a career shift. It kept her name relevant, adding to her net worth and earnings.
Public Speaking Engagements
Public speaking became another strength. She used her platform to discuss social issues—helping underprivileged children and environmental activism. People respected her not just for her career but for her efforts to create change. Not all supermodels step onto a stage, but Tiegs does.
- She speaks on health, fitness, and personal wellness.
- Conferences and conventions invite her as a guest speaker.
- Paid appearances turn influence into income.
A spokesperson, a brand, a presence—her voice carries weight beyond modeling.
Activism Work
Tiegs uses her platform for more than profit.
- Advocates for underprivileged children.
- Supports environmental causes and global warming awareness.
- Works with charities like the Farrah Fawcett Foundation and the Macula Vision Research Fund.
Some of these efforts bring paid partnerships. Others reinforce her image. Either way, activism is part of her brand—another layer of a lasting legacy.
Achievements and Recognitions
Early Recognition
Some faces don’t need an introduction. Cheryl Tiegs was one of them. At 17, she landed a swimwear ad in Seventeenmagazine, her first real step into modeling. She had that rare look—clean, natural, all-American. The industry took notice.
Then came the covers. Glamour was first. Then Elle, then Seventeen again. Tiegs wasn’t just a model—she was a face people recognized before they knew her name. It was the late ’60s, a time when models weren’t yet called supermodels, but if they were, she would have been one of the first.
Not many young models got that much attention so fast. But she had something—a mix of soft and strong, commercial but high-fashion. The kind of look that worked anywhere, on any magazine. And in an industry that burned through fresh faces, Tiegs was more than just a moment. She was the start of something bigger.
Supermodel Status
People throw around the word “supermodel” now, but back then, it meant something different. Tiegs was one of the first to earn the title. She wasn’t just on covers—she was the cover. Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue made her famous, but that was just the start.
She was everywhere. Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Time. It wasn’t just fashion magazines, either. She was a pop culture fixture, one of the few models people knew by name. America had Farrah Fawcett on posters, but Cheryl Tiegs was thesupermodel.
Her face sold magazines, and magazines sold the dream. The dream of beauty, of success, of being effortlessly glamorous. Tiegs wasn’t a passing trend. She was the definition of what a supermodel could be. A face you saw and immediately recognized. A name that stuck long after the magazines faded.
Sports Illustrated Covers
Sports Illustrated covers didn’t come easy. But Cheryl Tiegs had three—1970, 1975, and 1983. No model had done that before. The ‘70s were the Swimsuit Issue’s prime, and Tiegs was its star. Then came the pink bikini poster in 1978. Not a magazine cover, not even planned. But it became one of the decade’s most famous images.
- Simple shot—wet swimsuit, natural makeup, blonde waves.
- Sold millions, turned Tiegs into a household name.
- Cemented her status long before social media existed.
By her third Sports Illustrated cover, Tiegs wasn’t just a model. She was the model. Few could match that, and even fewer stayed relevant for decades. But Tiegs did.
Magazine Covers
Tiegs wasn’t tied to one magazine. She was everywhere—Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, Glamour. But then there were the cultural milestones.
- Time cover, 1978: “All-American Model.”
- Not just fashion, but the face of an era.
- Selling more than clothes—selling a dream.
People didn’t just see her in magazines. They wanted to be her. She wasn’t just modeling—she was shaping beauty standards before Instagram, before influencers, before fame came fast. In those days, covers mattered. And Tiegs had them all.
Lucrative Contracts
Modeling didn’t always mean millions. Tiegs changed that. Her 1979 deal with Cover Girl was record-breaking—$1.5 million.
- Biggest modeling contract of its time.
- Proved models could be more than just faces.
- Set the stage for supermodels as brands.
Tiegs wasn’t just selling makeup. She was selling value. Beauty became business, and she led the charge. Runways came and went, but endorsements lasted. Her name didn’t fade because it wasn’t just about looks—it was about legacy.
Retail Success
Selling beauty was one thing. Selling clothes was another. In 1980, Tiegs launched her own clothing line for Sears. It wasn’t just a celebrity brand—it made real money. Nearly $1 billion in sales by 1989.
- A department store brand that actually worked.
- A collection built on reputation, not just style.
- A name that people wanted to wear.
By 1995, she expanded to QVC with Cheryl Tiegs Sportswear. She had already proven models could be businesswomen. Fashion wasn’t just about the runway anymore. It was about branding, licensing, selling. And Tiegs was doing all of it.
Hall of Fame
Some models fade away. Tiegs didn’t. In 2004, she was inducted into the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue Hall of Fame. That honor wasn’t just about covers. It was about impact. About being the kind of model people remembered. The kind whose images were still iconic decades later.
For a model, the Hall of Fame wasn’t just an award—it was proof that you had made a lasting mark. That you weren’t just another face in a magazine, but a name that mattered. Tiegs didn’t need a trophy to prove her place in history. But she got one anyway. And she earned it.
“50 Most Beautiful People”
Beauty lists come and go, but in 2008, People named Cheryl Tiegs one of their “50 Most Beautiful People.” That might not seem like a big deal for a woman who had been famous for her looks since she was a teenager. But it was. Because beauty in Hollywood has an expiration date—except when it doesn’t.
Tiegs wasn’t just a pretty face in the ’70s. She was still being recognized, still being celebrated, decades later. And that wasn’t just about genetics. It was about presence, legacy, the way some people just stay relevant.
The Legacy of Cheryl Tiegs
Cheryl Tiegs built more than a modeling career. She became a fashion icon, entrepreneur, and a business-savvy woman. Her estimated net worth sits between $24 million and $30 million, putting her among the richest supermodels.
From her early career to her entrepreneurial ventures, Cheryl shaped the modeling industry. She wasn’t just a face on magazine covers. She made strategic choices, secured major endorsements, and expanded her reach beyond fashion.
FAQ
What is Cheryl Tiegs’ net worth?
Cheryl Tiegs’ net worth comes from her long modeling career, brand endorsements, and entrepreneurial ventures. As a supermodel, she made history with Sports Illustrated covers and high-paying modeling contracts. She also built wealth through retail ventures, including a clothing line and accessories line sold at major retailers.
Her investments in real estate, including properties in Bel Air, California, have contributed to her financial success. While net worth estimation varies, she remains one of the richest supermodels, with earnings data showing decades of financial achievements in the fashion industry and beyond.
How did Cheryl Tiegs make her money?
Cheryl Tiegs built her wealth through multiple income sources. She was a top American model in the 1970s fashion and 1980s fashion scenes, gracing countless magazine covers. Her modeling contracts with major brands and appearances in television shows added to her earnings.
She later expanded into business ventures, launching a clothing line and signature line of merchandise. She also invested in real estate and worked as a spokesperson for major brands. Her career milestones in the modeling industry and fashion industry have kept her celebrity net worth high.
Did Cheryl Tiegs have a successful modeling career?
Yes, Cheryl Tiegs’ modeling career was groundbreaking. She achieved supermodel status in the 1970s, appearing on multiple Sports Illustrated covers and becoming a spokesmodel for major brands. Her Glamour and Cover Girlcampaigns helped shape 1970s fashion.
She continued working through the 1980s fashion era, making television appearances and securing endorsements. She remains a fashion icon, known for her pink bikini poster, which became one of the most famous images of its time. Her influence on the modeling industry and fashion career helped define what it meant to be a supermodel.
What business ventures has Cheryl Tiegs been involved in?
Cheryl Tiegs’ business ventures extend beyond modeling. She launched a successful clothing line and accessories line that sold in major stores like Sears. She also worked with QVC, expanding her brand endorsements and merchandise sales.
Her real estate investments, including a luxury home in Bel Air, California, have been part of her financial portfolio. She has also been a judge on television competition shows and has made public speaking appearances. Her entrepreneurial ventures have added to her income sources, contributing to her financial success and maintaining her celebrity wealth.
What charitable work has Cheryl Tiegs done?
Cheryl Tiegs has been involved in several charities and causes. She supports underprivileged children through education and health initiatives. She is also an environment activist, raising awareness about social awareness issues like global warming.
She has worked with organizations like the Farrah Fawcett Foundation and the Macula Vision Research Fund to support research on health issues. Her public speaking engagements often focus on philanthropy and sustainability. Beyond her career milestones, her charitable efforts show her commitment to giving back, making her influence in both fashion and activism significant.
Conclusion
Cheryl Tiegs’ net worth, estimated at around $30 million, shows her amazing journey in modeling, business, and television. Her income comes from modeling contracts, retail ventures, and endorsements. Even today, she inspires many with her success story and commitment to social causes. If you want to follow her path, work hard, be smart with your money, and always chase your dreams.
References
- https://www.celebritynetworth.com/richest-celebrities/models/cheryl-tiegs-net-worth/
- https://www.therichest.com/celebnetworth/celeb/model/cheryl-tiegs-net-worth/
