Growing up in Santa Barbara, Calif., with
her parents, two sisters, a dog, some cats, chickens, frogs and ducks,
Kathy was shy, tall and thin. She did not have much leisure time, keeping
busy with after-school jobs, which included waitressing, working in a convalescent
home, hostessing in an
Italian restaurant, selling coupons over the phone, and working in
a department store.
Kathy was "discovered" in her hometown at age
17 by a scout from the Elite modeling agency. While her high school graduating
class went to Disneyland the day after commencement, she flew to Rome for
her first big modeling assignment.
Three years later, in 1984, Kathy hit the big
time, appearing in SPORTS ILLUSTRATED's Swimsuit Edition. She has since
graced the cover of SI's swimsuit edition -- its most popular issue each
year -- three times and has appeared in that edition a record eleven times.
Her own swimsuit calendars are among the best-selling calendars in the
country.
Kathy is one of the world's most tireless celebrities.
She's an accomplished model, certified fitness instructor and successful
businesswoman. She continues to branch out, focusing more of her considerable
energy on acting.
This fall, plans are underway for Kathy and
Peter Reckell to co-star in a TV movie for NBC, which will air next year.
She already has starred in NBC's made-for-TV movie GRIDLOCK, with David
Hasselhof.
She will release two new fitness videos this
fall: ADVANCED SPORT FITNESS, which also features fitness pro Tim Green;
and ABSOLUTELY FIT, due in stores in early December.
These are Kathy's first fitness releases
since she won the VSDA's "Health and Fitness Video of the Year" Award for
her second video, KATHY IRELAND BODY SPECIFICS: 12 Minute Abs, 12 Minute
Buns, 12 Minute Thighs.
Kathy also is continuing her highly successful clothing lines with K-mart.
Kathy enjoys international acclaim as one of the world's most sought-after
models, having appeared on the covers of prestigious magazines like
SPORTS ILLUSTRATED (three times), GLAMOUR,
COSMOPOLITAN, MADEMOISELLE, SEVENTEEN, SHAPE and
ITALIAN VOGUE.
Her earlier aspirations, however, included being a marine biologist, teacher,
reporter, and actress. |
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