Christy Turlington, born Christy Nicole Turlington on January 2, 1969, in Walnut Creek, California, is an American fashion model renowned for her work with major brands like Calvin Klein and Maybelline. She grew up in a family with a Pan Am pilot father and a Salvadorian flight attendant mother, which exposed her to diverse cultures from an early age.

Christy Turlington was discovered by a local photographer while horseback riding in Miami at the age of 14. She began modeling part-time while attending Monte Vista High School in Danville, California, and moved to New York City at 18 to pursue modeling full-time.

Her career skyrocketed in the late 1980s and early 1990s, making her one of the original supermodels. She graced the covers of over 500 magazines and walked the runways for top fashion houses such as Chanel, Valentino, and Versace.

Her iconic status was cemented when she signed a record-setting contract with Calvin Klein in 1989, becoming the face of their Eternity campaign. She also appeared in music videos, including Duran Duran's "Notorious" and George Michael's "Freedom! '90," further solidifying her place in pop culture.

Despite her success in modeling, she pursued higher education, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Comparative Religion and Eastern Philosophy from New York University in 1999. She continued her studies at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, reflecting her commitment to personal growth and intellectual development.

She is also a dedicated advocate for maternal health. She founded the nonprofit organization Every Mother Counts in 2010, which aims to make pregnancy and childbirth safe for every mother worldwide. Her advocacy work has taken her to various countries, where she has worked to improve healthcare access for women.

In her personal life, she married actor and filmmaker Edward Burns in 2003. The couple has two children, Grace and Finn. She balances her family life with her professional commitments, often sharing glimpses of her life on social media. She is known for her healthy lifestyle, practicing yoga and maintaining a balanced diet, which she credits for her enduring beauty and vitality.

Her contributions to fashion and philanthropy have earned her numerous awards and honors. She was named one of Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the World in 2014 and received the Glamour Woman of the Year Award in 2013.