| Kathy Ireland |
Kathy Ireland at the World Jewelry Center, 2008. |
| Date of birth |
March 20, 1963 (1963-03-20) (age 46) |
| Place of birth |
Glendale, California |
| Height |
5'10" |
| Hair color |
Auburn |
| Eye color |
Blue |
| Spouse(s) |
Dr. Greg Olsen |
| Official website |
Kathleen Marie "Kathy" Ireland (born March 20, 1963) is an American former model, actress, CEO and designer of her eponymous brand product marketing company, Kathy Ireland Worldwide.
Biography
Kathy Ireland was born in Glendale, California, the daughter of John Ireland, a labor union organizer, and Barbara Ireland.1 At age 17, Ireland was "discovered" by an agent for the Elite Model Management company, and by the time she graduated from high school, she was working steadily as a model.2
Sports Illustrated
Starting in 1984, Ireland was featured in the annual Swimsuit Issue 13 consecutive years, before her final appearance in 1996.3 In addition to her long tenure within the pages, Ireland appeared on the cover of the annual issue three times, a feat tied by Christie Brinkley and Cheryl Tiegs and surpassed only by Elle Macpherson (with six or more appearances). Ireland was the cover model for the first time on the 25th Anniversary Swimsuit Edition, which became SI's best selling swimsuit issue to date.45 She returned to the cover in 1992 and in 1994. In her third appearance, she was accompanied by Rachel Hunter and Elle Macpherson; notably, both Hunter and Ireland were pregnant at the time.5
Acting
Ireland has appeared in a number of television and movie roles. Her first movie, 1988's Alien from L.A., was later skewered during the fifth season of Mystery Science Theater 3000.6 Ireland also appeared in Melrose Place, Side Out, Mr. Destiny, National Lampoon's Loaded Weapon 1, alongside William Shatner, Once Upon A Christmas, Twice Upon A Christmas, Mom and Dad Save the World and Necessary Roughness.
Entrepreneur
In 1993, Ireland put her name on a line of socks. After they proved a best-seller for Kmart, the retailer gave Ireland her own clothing line.7 She then founded "Kathy Ireland Worldwide," a brand product marketing company she holds a majority stake in.8 By 2004, Ireland was marketing products from 16 manufacturers, including those of Standard Furniture.79 Ireland's long-term exclusive contract with K-mart Corporation lasted until 2003, after which the company contracted with thousands of independent mid-tier retail stores for distribution.10 By 2005, KIWW products were sold at over 50,000 locations, in 15 countries and generating an estimated $1.4 billion in retail sales.9 Ireland's annual take is thought to be around $10 million, which has prompted Forbes to name her the "prototype for model-turned-mogul," in an article about the trend of modelpreneurs.11
Since 1994, Ireland has published several fitness videos.
Books
Ireland's latest book is "Real Solutions for Busy Moms".
Ireland has also written three children's books: "Mona's Favorite Words," "What Do Mommies Do?" and "An Angel Called Hope," which were published by Publications International, LTD.
In 2004, Ireland wrote the book Powerful Inspirations: Eight Lessons that Will Change Your Life, published by Random House.12 In the book, Ireland uses the Bible and her Christian faith to highlight her life story and beliefs.
Personal life
Kathy Ireland has been a Christian since the age of 18, after reading the Bible on a plane during jet lag and out of curiosity.13 She's said that her pro-choice stance on abortion was switched to pro-life after researching her husband's medical books.13
Ireland gave a speech at the fourth Youth Assembly at the United Nations Headquarters on August 13, 2007. The purpose was to encourage activities among young people towards ending poverty. Ireland spoke on a subject of social entrepreneurship and partnerships.14
In May, 2009, Ireland and her family were evacuated from two homes endangered by the fire: one belonging to Ireland's parents, and the other being the home where Ireland, her husband and their three children reside. 15
Ireland appeared on Larry King's talk show in 2009 to discuss her weight gain and woman's health. She had gained a pound a year for 25 years and the culmination effect had become obvious to her in a candid photograph her son had taken. Ireland said in the interview; "Weight is a symptom of something that needs to change in your life."16
References
- ^ Kathy Ireland Biography (1963-)
- ^ "Kathy Ireland - Profile" (in English). E! Online. http://www.eonline.com/celebrities/profile/index.jsp?uuid=67c3c82c-7d5a-4e66-8d20-7cfc12989337. Retrieved on 2008-07-30.
- ^ "Collosus Collectibles Sports Illustrated Swimsuit". http://www.colossuscollectibles.com/calendars/siswimsuit/index.html. Retrieved on 2008-07-30.
- ^ "SI Swimsuit Collection - Kathy Ireland". Sports Illustrated. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/swimsuit/collection/issues/ultimate_swimsuit/ult_kireland_01.html. Retrieved on 2008-07-30.
- ^ a b "Sports Illustrated 50: The Anniversary Book, Rob Fleder, 2005, p.286, ISBN 1-932273-49-2". http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/swimsuit/collection/issues/ultimate_swimsuit/ult_kireland_01.html.
- ^ "Mystery Science Theater 3000". TV.com. November 20, 1993. http://www.tv.com/mystery-science-theater-3000/alien-from-l.a./episode/46964/summary.html. Retrieved on 2008-07-31.
- ^ a b Blakeley, Kiri (07.05.04). "The Model Mogul" (in English). Forbes. http://www.forbes.com/celebrities/forbes/2004/0705/116.html. Retrieved on 2008-08-01.
- ^ Boone & Kurtz (2007). Contemporary Business 12th Edition. Thomson South-Western.
- ^ a b Blakeley, Kiri (12.06.06). "Most Entrepreneurial Supermodels". Forbes. http://www.forbes.com/lifestyle/2006/02/02/fashion-supermodels-licensing-cz_kb_0203fashion2_ls.html. Retrieved on 2008-08-01.
- ^ Gale Group (October 27, 2003). "Troy, Mich. — model Kathy Ireland reports that her apparel will retail in some 3,000 stores in addition to Kmart next spring, ending its long-term exclusive". BNET Business Network, DSN Retailing Today. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FNP/is_20_42/ai_109665978. Retrieved on 2008-08-01.
- ^ Blakeley, Kiri (12.06.06). "Models Turned Moguls". Forbes. http://www.forbes.com/2008/07/17/supermodel-entrepreneur-gisele-ent-sales-cx_kb_0717modelpreneurs_slide_11.html?thisSpeed=20000. Retrieved on 2008-08-01.
- ^ Ireland, Kathy; Laura Morton (January 20, 2004). Powerful Inspirations: Eight Lessons that Will Change Your Life. Galilee Trade (Random House). pp. 224. ISBN 978-0-385-50308-2 (0-385-50308-3).
- ^ a b Blim, Julie (2002-08-20). "Kathy Ireland: Designing Woman" (in English). CBN. http://www.cbn.com/700club/features/kathy_ireland-interview.aspx. Retrieved on 2009-04-21.
- ^ "End Poverty 2015/Millenium Development Goals". Septmber 11, 2007. http://www.mdg-gateway.org/MDG-Blog/?cat=4&paged=2. Retrieved on 2009-05-27.
- ^ Livingston, David (May 08, 2009 4:01:00 PM). "Wildfire Causes Kathy Ireland and Family to Evacuate Homes". ET: Entertainment Online. http://www.etonline.com/news/2009/05/73790/. Retrieved on 2009-05-27.
- ^ http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/diet.fitness/05/05/lkl.celebrities.weight/index.html
External links
