Kathleen Marie "Kathy" Ireland (born March 20, 1963) is an American model, actress, entrepreneur and designer. She rose to fame in the 1980s and 1990s as a swimsuit model who appeared in 13 consecutive Sports Illustrated swimsuit issues inspiring, with Christie Brinkley and Cindy Crawford, the term "supermodel". Since 1993, Ireland has served as CEO and Chief Designer of her eponymous brand product marketing company, "kathy ireland Worldwide" (kiWW), which she has grown into a "$2.0 billion empire".

Early life

Kathy Ireland was born in 1963 in Glendale, California, the daughter of John Ireland, a labor union organizer, and Barbara Ireland, who worked in charity. Her first job was a paper route in 1974. At age 17, Ireland was discovered by an agent for the Elite Model Management company, and by the time she graduated from San Marcos High School in Santa Barbara in 1981, she was working steadily as a model. She appeared on covers for Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Women's Fitness; and in campaigns for consumer products, including Bulova, Fruit of the Loom, Caress Soap, Budweiser, Cheerios, Baked Lays Potato Chips and a plethora of other projects.

Sports Illustrated

Starting in 1984, Ireland was featured in the annual Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue for 13 consecutive years, with her final appearance in 1996. 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 five 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. 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.

kathy ireland Worldwide

In 1993, Ireland put her name on a line of socks for Kmart which became a bestseller. The retailer subsequently gave Ireland her own clothing line. She then founded kathy ireland Worldwide, initially a brand product marketing firm in which she and her related trusts own in its entirety. Since 1994, Kathy Ireland has published several fitness videos that led to her design of athletic apparel and was an entree into her brand licensing of fitness equipment as well.

In 2004, Ireland's annual take was thought to be around $10 million, which prompted Forbes to name her the "prototype for model-turned-mogul," in an article about the trend of modelpreneurs. By 2004, kathy ireland Worldwide was marketing products from 16 manufacturers, including those of Shaw Industries and Pacific Coast Lighting. By 2005, kathy ireland Worldwide products were sold at over 50,000 locations in 15 countries, generating an estimated $1.4 billion in retail sales. According to a February 27, 2012 issue of Forbes magazine, featuring Kathy Ireland on the cover, her product line (furniture, lighting, flooring, windows, jewelry, bridal gowns, etc.) now sells some $2 billion annually at retail. License Global Magazine named kathy ireland Worldwide the 28th most powerfully licensed brand. According to Fairchild Publications, Kathy Ireland is one of the 50 most influential people in fashion.

Ireland's corporate position promotes the importance of protecting American jobs and supporting local communities.

Ireland developed a collection of kathy ireland American Legend garments and accessories exclusively for the Fur Vault at Macys; a collection that is retailed at all of the Fur Vault locations in Macy's across the nation.

In a May 2012 British Vogue article, Ireland was called the world's richest model over Anne V and Gisele Bündchen.

Real Estate

Ireland purchased a three-bedroom oceanfront estate on Oahu, Hawaii from John Travolta and Kelly Preston in 2004; that Ireland rents out as one of several Kathy Ireland Worldwide company vacation villas. The former Travolta/Preston estate is part of the portfolio of real estate known as Kathy Ireland Weddings which stages lavish nuptials at five different private estates in Hawaii and California.

Elizabeth Taylor and Ireland had a close friendship and attended public events together. Taylor publicly commended Ireland's grace and professionalism. She was quoted as saying "I have never seen anyone epitomize glamour and grace and professionalism like she did..." Ireland credits her father, mother and Elizabeth Taylor as role model heroes who inspire her each day.

Other ventures

Ireland designs wedding dresses and gowns. Her company provides rental sites for weddings. She also designed a collection of jewelry inspired by her mentor Elizabeth Taylor.

Ireland became the Group Brand Ambassador in February 2011 for BrandSource. BrandSource brought Ireland to their organization as a role model for women. BrandSource has 4,500 member stores and 3,000 storefronts and Ireland is featured in a series of advertising spots that are tailor-made to promote members of BrandSource.

Other Activities

Public Speaking

Ireland has delivered keynote speeches at corporate events, industry conventions as well as pro-life councils. Ireland gave a keynote at the Googleplex, the corporate headquarters for Google on July 12, 2012. 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.

Books

Ireland has written six books, including three for children. Her debut effort (with Laura Morton), Powerful Inspirations: Eight Lessons that Will Change Your Life, was first published by Doubleday in June 2002. Real Solutions for Busy Moms: Your Guide to Success and Sanity was published by Howard Books in April 2009. Real Solutions: 52 God Inspired Messages from My Heart was also published by Howard Books and released on November 24, 2009. Her children's books, Mona's Favorite Words, What Do Mommies Do? and An Angel Called Hope, were released by Publications International Ltd. in November 2005 as part of their Story Reader series.

Support for Israel

Ireland has been outspoken in her support for Israel, visiting the country for the first time in 2007. In an interview with the Jewish Journal, she was quoted as saying "It's such a beautiful place, just breathtaking. I was really surprised by the beauty and just how magnificently it's preserved. And the people are incredible, and the landscape so diverse. There's no place like it."

On October 15, 2009, she became an international ambassador ambassador for the Friends of Sheba Medical Center, traveling back to the country in 2010 to film a documentary entitled Holy Land Heroes highlighting its work for wounded soldiers and terror victims.

On June 23, 2011, Ireland was honored by the Anti-Defamation League with the American Heritage Award presented by the National Home Furnishings Industry.

Ireland accepted an invitation to speak at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) National Convention on March 5, 2012, where she addressed over 13,000 attendees. She spoke of the state's lush beauty, its stand-alone characteristics of unwavering commitment to democracy and freedom in the Middle East. She also enumerated its quick first-response to crises such as Hurricane Katrina and the earthquake in Haiti. She received the longest round of applause for her response to attacks against Israel, saying:

"There are still those around the world who are unrelenting in their war of words against the Jewish state and personally this is something I find extremely disturbing. How often have we heard, 'Why can't Israel just give back the land? Why can't Israel just stop the fighting?' Israel seeks no battles. Israel wishes to live in peace. Israel is one sixth of one percent of the entire Middle East. Israel is surrounded by oil-rich neighbors who could invest more in their people, their development, their humanity, instead of devoting resources to the slaughter of innocent lives."

She was most recently recognized at the Jewish National Fund Tree of Life Gala honoring Holocaust Survivors, in which she was the recipient of the Messenger of Peace Award.

Philanthropy

Ireland has a sister, Cynthia, who has a child with Down syndrome. Ireland has become vocal in her support for the Down syndrome community, writing an article about her niece and the need for an increase in research. Other Ireland-supported causes include Big Brothers Big Sisters, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, the Alliance for Global Education, the Alliance for Christian Education and the Make-a-Wish Foundation.

Ireland is on the board of trustees for the Providence Educational Foundation, a 501c3 nonprofit, which strives to improve educational opportunities for children worldwide. Providence Hall, the foundations pilot location, is an independent college preparatory high school that "exists to challenge young men and women to grow in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ, to develop a passion for the pursuit of excellence and truth, and to love others as themselves through character, service, and leadership" according to the school's mission statement.

Ireland is presented with an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters, presented in the spring of 2012, awarded by the The California State University, an honor first awarded to President John F. Kennedy in 1963. The California State University system says of Ireland that she "generously uses her power and influence to benefit others, supporting social causes including empowering women, supporting young girls through mentoring, and providing opportunities for girls and women at risk."

Ireland has lent her estates to charitable organizations such as Toys For Tots to generate funds for charity.

Personal life

Kathy Ireland became an evangelical Christian at the age of 18, when she read the Bible out of curiosity. She has said that she switched her previously pro-choice stance on abortion to pro-life after studying that at the moment of conception, a new life has the complete genetic blueprint, blood type and sex; believing that abortion is terminating a life that has already come into existence.

In May 2009, Ireland and her family were evacuated from two homes endangered by the Jesusita Fire near Santa Barbara, California"one belonging to Ireland's parents, and the other being the home where Ireland, her husband and their three children reside.

Ireland appeared on Larry King Live in 2009 to discuss her weight gain and women's health. She had gained a pound a year for 25 years and the cumulative effect had become obvious to her in a candid photograph her son had taken.

Ireland owns a Tuscan-style home in Montecito, California that is located on 2.5 acres of land. Ireland calls the home Santa Barbara Oasis and she offers the home as a location for weddings and events in support of her family's philanthropy.

In 2009, Ireland overcame a weight gain of 25 pounds after her son Erik Ireland Olsen told her that she looked pregnant; by hiring a personal trainer.

Ireland's son Erik Ireland Olsen and Madeleine Meyer form the acoustic folk-pop duo With Strings Attached.

Ireland holds an honorary master's of fine arts degree from American Intercontinental University's School of Design.

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. Ireland's other appearances include Melrose Place, Boy Meets World, The Larry Sanders Show, Muppets Tonight, Side Out, Mr. Destiny, Necessary Roughness, Mom and Dad Save the World, National Lampoon's Loaded Weapon 1 (alongside William Shatner), Once Upon A Christmas, and its sequel Twice Upon A Christmas (her final film to date). She also appeared in the ninth season of Dancing with the Stars, however, hers was the third couple eliminated in the second week of competition.

Filmography

Film and Television

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1985	Charles in Charge	Woman in Line	Episode:"Snowed In"
1988	Alien from L.A.	Wanda Saknussemm	Motion Picture
1989	Journey to the Center of the Earth	Wanda Saknussemm	Motion Picture
1989	Worth Winning	Uncredited	Motion Picture
1990	Grand	Sheila	Episode: "Carnegie Hall"
1990	Side Out	Marie	Motion Picture
1990	Mr. Destiny	Gina	Motion Picture
1991	Necessary Roughness	Lucy Draper	Motion Picture
1992	Tales from the Crypt	Joyce	Episode:"Beauty Rest"
1992	Mom and Dad Save the World	Semage, Raff's Daughter	Motion Picture
1992	Danger Island	Laura	TV Movie
1993	Loaded Weapon 1	Destiny Demeanor	Motion Picture
1993	Down the Shore	Rachel	Episode:"Computer Date"
1993	The Larry Sanders Show	Herself	Episode:"The Breakdown: Part 1"
1993	Amore!	Taylor Christopher	Motion Picture
1993	A Perry Mason Mystery: The Case of the Wicked Wives	Dee Morrison	TV Movie
1994	Boy Meets World	Alexis	Episode: "Model Family"
1994	Melrose Place	Brittany Maddocks	Episodes: "Grand Delusions", "In-Laws and Outlaws", "It's a Bad World After All" and "I am Curious, Melrose"
1995	The Watcher	Pilot	TV Series
1995	Deadly Games	Amber	Episodes: "The Camp Counselor: Parts 1 & 2"
1996	Gridlock	Michele Conner	TV Movie
1995-1996	The Fantastic Four	Crystal (Voice)	Episodes: "Doomsday", "The Sentry Sinister", "Inhumans Saga: Part 3: Beware the Hidden Land" and "Inhumans Saga: Part 2: The Inhumans Among Us"
1996	Miami Hustle	Marsha Thomas	TV Movie
1997	Sabrina, the Teenage Witch	Shelley	Episode: "Trial by Fury"
1997	Suddenly Susan	Terri	Episodes: "Love and Divorce American Style: Part 2" and "Love and Divorce American Style: Part 3"
1997	Duckman: Private Dick/Family Man	Susan/Susie	Episodes: "Vuuck, as in Duck" and "Aged Heat 2: Women in Heat"
1996-1997	The Incredible Hulk	Ogress (Voice)	Episodes: "Fashion Warriors", "Down Memory Lane" and "Fantastic Fortitude"
1998	The Lionhearts	Survive (Voice)	TV Series
1998	King of the Hill	Sylvia	Episode: "Peggy's Pageant Fever"
1999	Cosby	Kara	Episode: "He Who Hesitates is Lucas"
1999	Pensacola: Wings of Gold	Sarah	Episode: "Tip of the Spear"
1999	Touched by an Angel	Karla	Episode: "The Last Day of the Rest of Your Life"
2000	Once Upon a Christmas	Kristen Claus	TV Movie
2001	Twice Upon a Christmas	Kristen Claus	TV Movie
2002	Strong Medicine	Amber Hutton	Episode: "Trauma"
2002	For Your Love	Rhonda	Episode: "The Helpless Hand"
2002	Totally Spies!	Julia Hastings	Episode: "A Spy is Born: Part 1"

PETA

In 2012, Kathy Ireland Worldwide drew criticism from animal rights activists after producing a line of fur clothing for Macy's Fur Vault. She stipulated she would "stop designing fur if (PETA) joined the pro life campaign". A petition urging her to discontinue her use of fur was launched.

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