Model Paulina Porizkova

Paulina Porizkova, originally from what is now the Czech Republic, is yet another legend in modeling, and one I finally got around to including here.

 

Her credits are far too long to cover in this space comprehensively, but here are the highlights: She appeared in the annual Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue as well as on the covers of Vogue, Elle, Harper's Bazaar, and Glamour, among others.  She also modeled for fashion brands such as Chanel, Hermes, Christian Dior, Oscar De La Renta Ann Taylor, and Guerlain.

But it was becoming the face of Estée Lauder in 1988 - a gig she had for seven years - that made her an elite model.  She helped transform the company's image - and her own image - of that of one of  sophistication and worldliness.

Paulina Porizkova has also dabbled in acting, getting good notices for her role as Krystyna in 1987's Anna, about a Czech actress in New York City (Anna herself, played by Sally Kirkland).  Her acting career stalled somewhat, though she did have a prominent role in the 1998 thriller/comedy Thursday, but, but she remained visible through her modeling work and also her writing - she co-wrote the children's book "The Adventures of Ralphie the Roach" with fellow model Joanne Russell.

Ms. Porizkova escaped the then-country of Czechoslovakia with her family in 1968 to escape the Soviet invasion of the country; they settled in Sweden, and she gained Swedish citizenship.  Discovered by legendary modeling scout John Casablancas, she later wrote a novel based on her own life, "A Model Summer."

In 1989, she also married former Cars guitarist and singer Ric Ocasek after having met him at the shoot for the promotional video for the Cars' 1984 single "Drive" (one of a few Cars songs with bassist Benjamin Orr on lead vocals).  Alas, she and Ocasek separated in 2018, and Ocasek died a year or so later before their divorce became final.

But Paulina Porizkova remains a survivor.  And she's not going to let anyone get her down or put her down any time soon.