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