If you saw the photos of Christie Brinkley’s 70th birthday bash in Turks and Caicos, you probably did the same double-take as the rest of the internet. It’s kinda ridiculous. Standing on the beach at Parrot Cay with her kids, Sailor and Jack, she didn't just look "good for her age." She looked like she’d discovered a literal glitch in the matrix.
But here’s the thing. Most people look at Christie Brinkley at 70 and assume it’s all just expensive lasers and a "lucky" DNA jackpot. Honestly? That’s only half the story.
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Living through seven decades in the public eye—especially as a woman whose career was built on being the "Ultimate American Girl"—comes with a mountain of pressure. People expect her to stay frozen in her 1981 Sports Illustrated era. She’s been open about how that "steady march" to the big 7-0 actually felt a bit heavy. She even admitted the number cast a shadow over her entire 60s.
The Reality of Christie Brinkley at 70 (No, It’s Not Just "Good Genes")
The most interesting thing about Brinkley right now isn't that she’s seventy; it’s that she’s actually leaning into the "imperfections" that drive other celebrities to the nearest surgeon. She recently told People magazine that she’s specifically choosing to accept certain wrinkles. She's over the "waxy, preserved" look that comes with overdoing the fillers.
She’s basically a walking contradiction: a supermodel who gets Fraxel treatments twice a year to blast away sun damage, yet refuses to touch her forehead with Botox anymore because a bad experience once gave her a droopy eyebrow.
It’s refreshing.
She’s also dealing with real-life health scares that don't make the glossy covers. Just last year, she went public about a skin cancer diagnosis (basal cell carcinoma) that required surgery. It was a massive wake-up call for the woman who spent the 70s and 80s "slathering on baby oil" to get the perfect tan. Now, she won't even step into the Hamptons sun without a wide-brimmed hat and a layer of Supergoop! SPF 50.
What She Actually Eats (The "Rainbow Diet" Explained)
You’ve probably heard she’s a vegetarian. She’s been one since she was about 12 years old. But at 70, her approach to food has shifted from just "not eating meat" to a high-octane, antioxidant-focused strategy she calls the "Rainbow Diet."
- The Morning "Powerhouse": She starts her day with coffee mixed with a massive tablespoon of RYZE adaptogenic mushrooms and oat milk.
- The Color Rule: If her plate isn't covered in vibrant purples (beets are her favorite), greens, and oranges, she’s not happy.
- The Sweet Tooth Hack: Instead of processed sugar, she pries open dates and stuffs them with walnuts. It’s chewy, crunchy, and keeps her from crashing.
She’s also a huge advocate for the Sakara meal delivery program when she’s busy, which basically proves that even supermodels don't want to meal prep every single Sunday.
Why Exercise Is a "Non-Negotiable" Habit
Brinkley isn't a "gym rat" in the traditional sense. She doesn't spend three hours a day lifting heavy. Her secret is more about "stealth fitness."
She uses her Total Gym machine—the one she’s been the face of for decades—because it’s in her house and, as she puts it, "if it’s in my home, I’m going to do it." But the real magic is the stuff most people would find annoying. She does squats while drying her hair. She does calf raises while brushing her teeth so she can "still wear heels."
When she's at her home, Tower Hill, she’s out on a bike or paddleboarding. It’s less about "burning calories" and more about moving so her joints don't "stiffen up real fast," which she admits happens the second she gets lazy.
Business and "The Best Chapter"
Most people retire at 65. Christie launched a new fashion line at 70. Her HSN collection, TWRHLL, is named after her Long Island estate and focuses on "timeless" pieces that don't make older women feel like they’re trying too hard to look 22.
She’s also the "Chief Branding Officer" for Bellissima, her organic, vegan Prosecco brand. It’s a smart move—it aligns with her vegetarian lifestyle and her "life is a party" vibe. She’s not just collecting royalty checks; she’s actively pitching these products on live TV and social media.
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A Lesson in "Spirit Age" vs. "Chronological Age"
There was a moment on her Instagram where she clapped back at "The Wrinkle Brigade"—people who were commenting on her age-related lines. Her response? "I want a little life to show on my face."
She’s basically decided that 70 is the "new 40" not because she looks 40, but because she has the energy of someone in their 40s. She stays curious. She travels. She pets her dogs. She’s even mentioned that petting her dogs is her version of a "personal trainer" because they force her to get outside and run around, even when she’d rather sit on the couch.
Actionable Takeaways from Christie’s 70th Year
If you want to bottle some of that Brinkley energy, you don't need a supermodel's bank account. You just need a few of her specific, weirdly effective habits:
- Sunscreen is a religion, not an option. After her cancer scare, she’s proof that you can’t "undo" the 80s, but you can protect what you’ve got now. Use SPF 50 every single morning, even if it’s cloudy.
- The 30-Minute Rule. She doesn't do marathon sessions. She does 20 to 30 minutes on a Peloton or Total Gym several times a week. Consistency beats intensity every time.
- Eat for inflammation. By focusing on the "rainbow" (beets, berries, leafy greens), she’s essentially eating to keep her joints and skin from getting inflamed.
- Multi-task your movements. Start doing squats while you brush your teeth. It sounds silly until you realize you’ve just done 4 minutes of leg work without "going to the gym."
- Change your mindset on "imperfection." Accepting a few laugh lines actually makes you look more human and, ironically, more youthful than a frozen, over-filled face.
Christie Brinkley’s 70th year isn't about hiding from time. It’s about showing that you can still be "au courant," as she says, without pretending the last seven decades didn't happen. She’s chasing dreams, launching brands, and proving that the "expiration date" for women in the spotlight was a lie all along.