Kathy Ireland Biography

Fast Facts

• Began her modeling career at age 17, when she was discovered by an agent for the Elite Model Management company
• Appeared in 13 consecutive issues of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition, beginning in 1984, and graced its cover three times
• Started the Kathy Ireland Mentor Program for Single Teen Mothers in L
• A
• in 1990
• Became a certified fitness instructor in 1994, before the release of her first workout video (she went on to release several such videos)
• Is the author of several books that focus on topics such as faith and motherhood, as well as children's books
• Is the founder, CEO and chief designer of Kathy Ireland Worldwide, a billion-dollar design and marketing company
• Has been named a National Honorary Chairperson of the March of Dimes WalkAmerica for several years
• In 2009, suffered a surfing-related injury that was stitched up by her physician husband while on a brief break from rehearsals with Dancing with the Stars partner Tony Dovolani