Christine “Chrissy” Diane Teigen is an American model, television personality, author, and entrepreneur. She first gained widespread recognition for her work as a model, particularly her debut in the annual Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue in 2010. Her vibrant personality and quick wit propelled her into television, where she has hosted several popular shows. Beyond entertainment, Teigen has established herself as a culinary authority with her successful “Cravings” brand, which includes bestselling cookbooks and a line of cookware. Known for her candid and often humorous presence on social media, she has cultivated a significant online following, sharing insights into her life with her husband, singer John Legend, and their family.
Chrissy Teigen Overview
| Full Name | Christine Diane Teigen |
| Date of Birth | November 30, 1985 |
| Age | 39 (as of late 2024) |
| Place of Birth | Delta, Utah, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Parents | Vilailuck “Pepper” Teigen and Ronald “Ron” Teigen |
| Husband | John Legend (m. 2013) |
| Children | Four: Luna Simone, Miles Theodore, Esti Maxine, and Wren Alexander Stephens |
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (1.74 m) |
| Profession | Model, Television Personality, Author, Entrepreneur |
| Net Worth | Estimated $100 million (combined with John Legend) |
Early Life and Education of Chrissy Teigen
Christine Diane Teigen was born on November 30, 1985, in Delta, Utah, to Vilailuck “Pepper” Teigen, who is of Thai descent, and Ronald “Ron” Teigen, who is of Norwegian and German descent. Her family moved frequently during her childhood, living in various locations including Hawaii, Idaho, and Snohomish, Washington, where her parents managed a tavern called Porky’s. Teigen’s parents separated when she was 15, after which she relocated to Huntington Beach, California, with her father. While living in Huntington Beach, she attended Huntington Beach High School. It was during this time, while working at a surf shop, that she was discovered by a photographer, which launched her modeling career.
Chrissy Teigen’s Career
Modeling Breakthrough
Teigen’s modeling career began to take off after being discovered in a surf shop. An early gig included being a briefcase model on the game show Deal or No Deal during its pilot and first season. Her major breakthrough came in 2010 when she appeared in the prestigious Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue and was named “Rookie of the Year.” This opportunity was facilitated by her friend and fellow model, Brooklyn Decker. Teigen would go on to appear in the swimsuit issue for several consecutive years. In 2014, she graced the cover of the 50th-anniversary issue alongside fellow models Nina Agdal and Lily Aldridge. Throughout her career, she has been featured in campaigns for major brands such as Gillette, Olay, Nike, and UGG Australia.
Television Personality
Leveraging her modeling fame and charismatic personality, Teigen transitioned into a successful television career. In 2013, she hosted the VH1 reality competition show Model Employee. Her most prominent hosting role came in 2015 when she began co-hosting Lip Sync Battle with LL Cool J, where she served as the color commentator. The show was a significant success. During the same period, she was a panelist and food stylist on the syndicated daytime talk show FABLife. In 2019, she served as a judge on the comedy competition series Bring the Funny. Teigen also starred in and executive produced her own courtroom-style series, Chrissy’s Court, which premiered in 2020.
Culinary Empire: Cravings
A passionate home cook, Teigen launched her food blog, “So Delushious,” in 2011 to share recipes and her love for food. This passion evolved into a major business venture. In 2016, she released her first cookbook, Cravings: Recipes for All of the Food You Want to Eat, which became a New York Times bestseller. She followed this success with her second book, Cravings: Hungry For More, in 2018. Concurrent with her second book, she launched a line of cookware, Cravings by Chrissy Teigen, in partnership with Target. In 2019, she expanded her brand with the launch of the Cravings by Chrissy Teigen website, featuring recipes and entertaining tips. Most recently, in 2024, she and her husband John Legend co-founded Kismet, a lifestyle brand for pets that offers premium dog food.
Chrissy Teigen Personal Life & Family
Chrissy Teigen’s personal life, particularly her relationship with singer John Legend, has been a subject of public interest. The couple first met in 2006 on the set of Legend’s music video for his song “Stereo,” in which Teigen played his love interest. They began dating shortly after and got engaged in December 2011 during a vacation in the Maldives. They officially married in a courthouse ceremony in New York City on September 10, 2013, before holding a lavish wedding celebration in Como, Italy, on September 14, 2013. Legend’s famous ballad “All of Me” was written for and dedicated to Teigen.
Teigen and Legend have four children together. Their eldest, a daughter named Luna Simone Stephens, was born in April 2016. Their son, Miles Theodore Stephens, followed in May 2018. Both Luna and Miles were conceived through in vitro fertilization (IVF). In 2020, Teigen experienced a heartbreaking pregnancy loss with their third child, a son they named Jack. She later clarified that the loss was the result of a life-saving abortion due to complications that gave the baby no chance of survival. The couple welcomed their third child, a daughter named Esti Maxine Stephens, in January 2023, also conceived via IVF. Their fourth child, a son named Wren Alexander Stephens, was born via surrogacy in June 2023. The family resides in Beverly Hills, California. In September 2023, Teigen and Legend renewed their wedding vows in Lake Como to celebrate their tenth anniversary.
Awards and Achievements of Chrissy Teigen
While Chrissy Teigen’s career is not primarily defined by traditional awards, her achievements across various industries are significant.
- 2010: Named “Rookie of the Year” by Sports Illustrated for her debut in the Swimsuit Issue.
- 2014: Appeared on the 50th-anniversary cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.
- 2016: Her cookbook, Cravings: Recipes for All of the Food You Want to Eat, became a New York Times bestseller and the second-best-selling cookbook of the year.
- 2019: Named one of Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the world.
- 2020: Chrissy’s Court became The Roku Channel’s most-watched unscripted premiere ever after moving from Quibi.
- 2024: Graced the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue for a second time.
Chrissy Teigen Net Worth and Income
As of 2025, Chrissy Teigen’s combined net worth with her husband, John Legend, is estimated to be around $100 million. While a significant portion of this wealth is attributed to Legend’s successful music career, Teigen has built a substantial fortune on her own. Her income streams are diverse, stemming from her long and successful modeling career, numerous television hosting gigs, and extensive brand endorsements. Furthermore, her “Cravings” empire, which includes her bestselling cookbooks and popular cookware line, contributes significantly to her earnings. In recent years, it is estimated that Teigen earns over $10 million annually from her various ventures.
Legacy and Influence
Chrissy Teigen has carved out a unique space in popular culture, transitioning from a supermodel to a multifaceted media mogul and relatable public figure. Her influence is largely defined by her authenticity and unfiltered social media presence, where she openly discusses topics ranging from motherhood and mental health to her political views. She has been a vocal supporter of various social causes, including immigrants’ rights and gun control, and has made donations to organizations like Planned Parenthood. Teigen’s “Cravings” brand has made her a powerful player in the food media landscape, celebrated for making cooking accessible and enjoyable. Her willingness to share both the glamorous and the challenging aspects of her life has resonated with millions, solidifying her status as an influential and often-talked-about personality.
Interesting Facts about Chrissy Teigen
- Her surname is commonly pronounced “TEE-gen,” but she has stated that she prefers the pronunciation “TYE-gen.”
- Through the show Finding Your Roots, she discovered that some of her distant relatives were killed in the Holocaust.
- Before her modeling career took off, she worked in a surf shop in California.
- John Legend’s hit song “All of Me” was inspired by his relationship with her.
- She appeared as a character in the 2011 video game Need for Speed: The Run.
- She has been open about undergoing plastic surgery, including breast implants.
Controversies
Chrissy Teigen’s outspoken nature has, at times, led to significant controversy. In 2021, she faced a major public backlash when past tweets and direct messages from 2011 resurfaced. Television personality Courtney Stodden, who was a minor at the time, revealed that Teigen had sent them messages urging them to take their own life. Fashion designer Michael Costello also came forward with accusations of cyberbullying from Teigen that he said left him with suicidal thoughts. The scandal led to professional repercussions, with some retailers dropping her cookware line. Teigen issued a public apology, expressing that she was “mortified and sad at who I used to be” and describing her past self as an “insecure, attention-seeking troll.” She has also faced criticism for past tweets about other celebrities.
Social Media Presence
Chrissy Teigen is a prominent figure on social media, known for her candid, witty, and sometimes controversial posts. She has amassed a large following across multiple platforms.
- Instagram: Her account, @chrissyteigen, has millions of followers who engage with her posts about her family life, cooking, and personal thoughts.
- Twitter (X): Her handle, @chrissyteigen, was once her most famous platform, where her unfiltered commentary and viral clapbacks gained her widespread attention before she took breaks from the platform following controversies.
Final Words about Chrissy Teigen
Chrissy Teigen remains a dynamic and influential figure in the entertainment and lifestyle industries. Having established a powerful personal brand that spans modeling, television, and the culinary world, she continues to evolve. Her journey has been marked by both soaring success and public challenges, which have shaped her public image. With her ongoing “Cravings” brand, a new pet lifestyle venture, and her return to the cover of Sports Illustrated, Teigen demonstrates a resilient and entrepreneurial spirit. Her future plans will likely involve further expansion of her business empire while continuing to navigate her role as a high-profile personality in the digital age.
