Kathy Ireland


Kathy Ireland Biography(Courtesy Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)


Kathleen Marie "Kathy" Ireland (born March 20, 1963) is an American model, actress, and entrepreneur. Ireland was a supermodel in the 1980s and 1990s, best known for appearing in 13 consecutive Sports Illustrated swimsuit issues. In 1993, she founded a brand marketing company, "kathy ireland Worldwide" (kiWW), which has made her one of the wealthiest former models in the world.

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 when she was 11; she landed the job by writing the paper and stating she was the girl for the job.

Modeling

At age 16, Ireland was discovered by an agent for the Elite Model Management company. She appeared on covers for Vogue and Cosmopolitan.

Starting in 1984, Ireland was featured in the annual Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue for 13 consecutive years, with her final appearance in 1996. She 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, who were both pregnant at the time.

Business Ventures

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 marketing firm, which she and her related trusts own in its entirety. Since 1994, Ireland has published several fitness videos that led to her design of athletic apparel and launched her brand licensing of fitness equipment.

In 2004, Ireland's annual take is thought to be around $10 million. Forbes described Ireland as a "prototype for model-turned-mogul" in a 2006 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. Between 2005-2012, Ireland's company grew to about $2 billion in annual sales and became a leader in its industry.

In a May 2012 British Vogue article, Ireland was called the world's richest model.

Other ventures

Ireland is chief designer for Royal Footwear & Accessories (The RFA Group). She has established a relationship with manufacturer Gorham designing dinnerware, glassware and flatware. Ireland is the Group Brand Ambassador for BrandSource,

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

Other activities

Public speaking

Ireland has delivered keynote speeches at corporate events, industry conventions, and pro-life events. She spoke at the fourth Youth Assembly at the United Nations Headquarters on August 13, 2007 encouraging young people to engage in activities aimed at ending poverty.

Ireland gave a keynote at the Googleplex, the corporate headquarters for Google on July 12, 2012. She delivered the keynote at Licensing Expo 2012 in Las Vegas.

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 published in 2002. Real Solutions for Busy Moms: Your Guide to Success and Sanity and Real Solutions: 52 God Inspired Messages from My Heart were published in 2009. Her children's books, Mona's Favorite Words, What Do Mommies Do? and An Angel Called Hope, were released in November 2005.

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. She also appeared in the ninth season of Dancing with the Stars, where her couple was the third eliminated in the second week of competition.

Philanthropy

Ireland's sister, Cynthia, has a child with Down syndrome. Ireland wrote 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 was presented with an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters in 2012 by the California State University System, which said 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.

She received the WithIt 2013 Legacy Award on January 27, 2013 at World Market Center - Las Vegas.

Ireland and NFL wide receiver Tim Brown are ambassadors for 9-1-1 For Kids, a non-profit organization that specializes in making educational materials to assist emergency dispatchers in teaching children the proper use of 9-1-1 and other general emergency preparedness tips.

Israel

Ireland has been outspoken in her support for Israel. On October 15, 2009, she became an international 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.

She received the Messenger of Peace Award at the Jewish National Fund Tree of Life Gala in 2012.

Personal life

Ireland is a Christian. She is a pro-life advocate.

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 received an honorary master's of fine arts degree from the for-profit American Intercontinental University's School of Design.

Friendship with Elizabeth Taylor

Elizabeth Taylor and Ireland had a close friendship and attended public events together. After Ireland received outspoken criticism for her uneven performance as an on-air host of ABC's 2010 pre-Oscar special, Taylor publicly defended Ireland; "I have never seen anyone epitomize glamour and grace and professionalism like she did."

Ireland publicly credits Taylor as her mentor and for part of her success in life, business, design and philanthropy. Taylor bequeathed her lifetime achievement Oscar to Ireland.

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 Bandit: Beauty and the Bandit Crystal TV Movie
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"


This biography article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Kathy Ireland". Reality TV World is not responsible for any errors or omissions this article may contain.



Page generated in 0.026473045349121 seconds