The quintessential '80s supermodel, this Eastern Bloc beauty endured a tumultuous childhood before taking the fashion world by storm. In 1968 her parents fled their native Czechoslovakia for Sweden, leaving 3-year-old Porizkova behind with her grandmother. It would take four years before she was reunited with her mom and dad, after which they divorced. Although Porizkova had a difficult time adjusting to life in Sweden, she became a teen model and soon left for the more cosmopolitan pastures of Paris and New York. The epitome of a foreign sophisticate, Porizkova appeared in scores of magazines, released sexy calendars, twice graced the cover of the
Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue, and enjoyed a multimillion-dollar stint as the face of Estée Lauder. She also starred in
The Cars' "Drive" video, where she met and fell for band front man Ric Ocasek. In the late '80s, Porizkova launched a semi-successful acting career, earning respectable reviews as a Czech immigrant in
Anna and seducing viewers, along with costar Tom Selleck's character, in the crime comedy
Her Alibi. But she soon turned her focus to her family, making occasional appearances in little-seen indies (
Wedding Bell Blues,
Long Time Since). In 2007, she returned briefly to the spotlight as one of the celebrity contestants on the fourth edition of
Dancing with the Stars. Despite being paired with Season 1
Dancing champ Alec Mazo, they were the first couple voted off the reality competition.
Paulina Porizkova Fast Facts:
- Reportedly turned down the opportunity to play a Bond girl in 1995's GoldenEye.
- Authored the autobiographically inspired 2007 novel A Model Summer and cowrote the children's book The Adventures of Ralphie the Roach.
- Paulina Porizkova Relationships:
- Christopher Otcasek - Stepson
- Derek Otcasek - Stepson
- Eron Otcasek - Stepson
- Jonathan Raven Ocasek - Son
- Oliver Orion Ocasek - Son
- Ric Ocasek - Husband
