One doesn’t have to be a fashion junkie to know who Christy Turlington is.

Turlington’s widespread appeal becomes obvious with just a single survey of her still-life charisma before the camera.

Take a look at the life, times, and transformation of Christy Turlington.

Christy Turlington against green background, posing

Her interests lay in something supposedly contrarian to the universe of ramp-walking: books.

There was also some talk of becoming an architect or a pilot (like her father).

She was 14 and riding a horse in Florida when she was famously scouted by photographer Dennie Cody.

Young Christy Turlington wearing black, smiling

Of course, one could say there’s no one today who knows the game better than her!

Financial empowerment was an added advantage.

“I started to earn money and have some freedom,” she toldThe Wall Street Journal.

Christy Turlington in silver outfit, modeling

She raked in big bucks, ranking among the highest-paid supermodels for consecutive years.

“I had this paternal role …

I was able to provide stability for my family,” she toldTown & Country.

Christy Turlington black and white photo, posing

That said, Turlington has been candid in airing her reservations about starting a career prematurely.

Her opinion stems from a shrewd challenging of the romantic notions attached to the supermodel status.

But according to Burns, their story began earlier.

Christy Turlington with Edward Burns, both smiling

“Fortunately she was very nice.”

Their romance kicked off enthusiastically but a string of hitches shelved their marriage.

The pair eventually parted ways but only for a short while.

Christy Turlington with Grace Burns, both smiling

Speaking toWWD, Turlington confirmed the open secret that relates to the harassment of models.

Not for the original supermodel.

Christy Turlington has outlived younger successors in the business by decades, without once cosmetically meddling with her face.

Christy Turlington on the podium, speaking

Wrinkles and fine lines don’t bother her.

The idea fits in well with the modest disposition Turlington has come to be defined by.

She neither overindulges in the memory of her yesteryear glory nor in the fear of future prospects.

Christy Turlington in black dress and pearls, smiling

But a good many years of blazing success as a model changed all that.

She was at the peak of her golden ’90s period when she took the plunge back into education.

It seems she had found her long-awaited motivation to study.

Christy Turlington in white blazer, smiling

Turlington was 26 when she attended New York University for a degree in comparative religion and philosophy.

This time, she went all-out nerd front seat, good grades, et al.

That didn’t deter Turlington from going back to school once again at 39.

Christy Turlington wearing pearl necklace, posing

Her voracious appetite for learning still isn’t sated.

She could do it all over again.

“The moment that I met you, I knew that you were really special and so much fun.

Christy Turlington in beige dress, posing

It boils down to something as simple as not using music as a crutch while running.

She is quite the passionate traveler

Christy Turlington has been on the move since forever.

Like she toldThe New York Times: “I was practically born into traveling.”

Christy Turlington posing in black jacket

It’s in her genes.'”

How does she balance all that wanderlust and her domestic life?

She pins the credit to her homebody husband Edward Burns or Steady Eddie, as she calls him.

Christy Turlington with short hair, smiling

Yoga has been a longtime integral part of her life

Christy Turlington plans her life around yoga.

That is not to say that she force-fits it into her schedule.

It translated well for her self-growth.

Christy Turlington in red dress, smiling

In fact, Turlington was thinking about yoga even while delivering her first child, perThe Times.

Through 12 hours of labor, she mined her knowledge of rhythmic breathing to cope with the pain.

Believe it or not, her beauty secrets are really basic

Keep it simple.

This easy-to-remember mantra has kept Christy Turlington ruling the fashion game unchallenged for decades.

“My daughter looked at me like I had three heads,” she recalled for Glamour.

Basic essentials like chapstick and cheek tint do the trick for her now.

(And drinking lots of water.)