Chrissy Teigen
A model who leveraged Sports Illustrated fame into a sprawling, unfiltered media empire built on cookbooks, candid social media, and navigating public life with raw honesty.
Born 1985 (age 41)·American model·Birthday: November 30·Millennials
Biography
Christine Diane Teigen, born in 1985 in Utah, rewrote the model's playbook. Discovered at a surf shop, her career ignited with the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, where she became a fan favorite and eventually graced the 50th-anniversary cover. But Teigen's true impact lies in her seismic shift from traditional glamour to digital-era authenticity. She parlayed her visibility into a multi-hyphenate career defined by a disarmingly candid voice. Her best-selling cookbooks, 'Cravings,' revealed a genuine passion for food and a relatable, messy kitchen philosophy. On social media, she became a phenomenon by sharing the highs and brutal lows of her life—from parenting joys to profound personal loss—forging a deep, sometimes contentious, connection with millions. This transparency extended to television, where her co-hosting role on 'Lip Sync Battle' showcased her sharp wit. Teigen's journey reflects the modern celebrity ecosystem: a figure whose influence is measured not just in magazine covers, but in her ability to build a personal brand rooted in perceived realness.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Chrissy was born in 1985, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Chrissy Was Born
The biggest hits of 1985
#1 Movie
Back to the Future
Best Picture
Out of Africa
#1 TV Show
Dynasty
Chrissy's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1985Born
Live Aid concerts raise money for Ethiopian famine
Gas: $1.12/galHome: $62,900Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Careless Whisper" — Wham!Best Picture: Out of Africa
1990Started school
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
1998Became a teenager
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2001Could drive
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2003Could vote
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2006Turned 21
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2015Turned 30
Paris climate agreement; same-sex marriage legalized in the US
Gas: $2.43/galHome: $171,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Uptown Funk" — Mark Ronson ft. Bruno MarsBest Picture: Spotlight
2025Turned 40
AI agents go mainstream
Gas: $3.10/galHome: $385,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"APT." — Rose & Bruno Mars
2026Age 41 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Authored multiple #1 New York Times best-selling cookbooks, beginning with 'Cravings: Recipes for All the Food You Want to Eat'.
- Appeared on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue 50th-anniversary edition in 2014.
- Served as a co-host and judge for the popular television series 'Lip Sync Battle' for multiple seasons.
- Launched a successful cookware and kitchenware line in collaboration with the brand Our Place.
Did You Know?
She is of Norwegian and Thai descent, and often incorporates Thai cuisine into her recipes.
She was the first person to reach one million followers on the photo-sharing app Snapchat.
She is married to singer-songwriter John Legend, and they have four children together.
Before modeling, she competed in national fishing tournaments as a teenager.
““I’m not a chef. I’m just someone who likes to eat and doesn’t want to eat bad food.””
