CHRISTY TURLINGTON

​Christy Turlington Burns is an American supermodel, humanitarian, filmmaker, and wellness advocate whose enduring career and philanthropic impact have made her a global icon.​

Early Life and Education

Born on January 2, 1969, in Walnut Creek, California, Christy Nicole Turlington was raised in Danville alongside her two sisters. Her father, Dwain Turlington, was a Pan Am pilot, and her mother, María Elizabeth, a flight attendant of Salvadoran descent. At age 14, while horseback riding in Miami, she was discovered by photographer Dennie Cody, marking the beginning of her modeling career. After graduating from Monte Vista High School, she moved to New York City to pursue modeling full-time. In 1994, she enrolled at New York University, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Comparative Religion and Eastern Philosophy in 1999. She later pursued a Master's degree in Public Health at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health. ​

Modeling Career

Turlington rose to prominence in the late 1980s and early 1990s, becoming one of the original "supermodels." She graced the covers of major fashion magazines, including Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, and Elle, and was featured in campaigns for brands like Calvin Klein, Chanel, and Maybelline. In 1989, she became the face of Calvin Klein's Eternity fragrance, a role she reprised in 2014. Her work extended to music videos, notably Duran Duran's "Notorious" and George Michael's "Freedom! '90." In 1995, she paused her modeling career to focus on her education but returned to the industry, participating in campaigns and runway shows, including closing Marc Jacobs' Autumn/Winter 2019 show. ​

Advocacy and Filmmaking

After experiencing a life-threatening complication during the birth of her daughter in 2003, Turlington became an advocate for maternal health. In 2010, she directed the documentary "No Woman, No Cry," highlighting global maternal health issues. That same year, she founded Every Mother Counts (EMC), a nonprofit organization dedicated to making pregnancy and childbirth safe for every mother. EMC supports programs in countries like Haiti, Uganda, and the United States, and has invested over $42 million in maternal health initiatives. Turlington has also contributed writings to publications like Marie Claire and Yoga Journal, and served as a guest correspondent for NBC's Today Show. ​

Personal Life

In 2003, Turlington married actor and filmmaker Edward Burns. The couple has two children: Grace, born in 2003, and Finn, born in 2006. A dedicated yoga practitioner since 1987, she authored the book "Living Yoga: Creating a Life Practice" in 2002. Turlington is also an anti-smoking advocate, having quit smoking at age 26 after her father's death from lung cancer and her own diagnosis of early-stage emphysema at 31. ​

Christy Turlington Burns' multifaceted career and unwavering commitment to maternal health advocacy continue to inspire and effect change worldwide.​