Paulina Porizkova
Paulina Porizkova (born April 9, 1965) is a Czech-born model, actress, author, and advocate for beauty at every age. Learn her biography, breakthroughs, activism, and memorable quotes.
Introduction
Paulina Porizkova is a model-turned-author and cultural figure whose career spans modeling, acting, writing, and public commentary. Born in Czechoslovakia in 1965, she became one of the most visible supermodels of the 1980s and 1990s, breaking barriers (especially in representation for Central Europe) and later reshaping her public voice around issues of aging, self-esteem, and authenticity. Her journey—from Cold War Europe to international runways to writing about grief, identity, and resilience—makes her a compelling figure in fashion and media.
Early Life and Background
Paulina Porizkova was born April 9, 1965 in Prostějov, then part of Czechoslovakia.
Her childhood was marked by political tension: her parents, Jiří Pořízek and Anna Pořízková, were anti-Soviet dissidents and in 1968 left Czechoslovakia for Sweden following the Soviet-led invasion.
Because of the political climate, she was left in the care of her maternal grandmother for several years.
She moved to Sweden with her family and grew up there.
Modeling Career & Breakthroughs
Porizkova’s modeling career began in her mid-teens. At about age 15, she started modeling in Paris. first Central European woman to appear on the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue cover.
Her modeling work extended to top fashion magazines (Vogue, Elle, Harper’s Bazaar) and major ad campaigns for brands such as Chanel, Versace, Dior, and Revlon. Estée Lauder, which transformed her image beyond swimsuit modeling to a more sophisticated, high-fashion presence.
Over time, she became known not just for her beauty, but for her intellect, outspoken nature, and evolving voice on issues of body image and aging.
Acting, Writing & Public Voice
Acting & Media
Porizkova expanded into film and television. Her film debut was Anna (1987). Her Alibi (1989), Arizona Dream (1993), Thursday (1998), and other films.
On television, she served as a judge on America’s Next Top Model (Cycles 10 to 12).
Writing, Memoir & Advocacy
Porizkova is also an author and blogger. She co-authored a children’s book The Adventures of Ralphie the Roach in 1992. A Model Summer, was published in 2007 (original Swedish title Modellsommar).
In 2022, she published a memoir No Filter: The Good, the Bad, and the Beautiful, which explores her life, career, relationships, and her changing relationship to her body and public image.
She is known for her outspoken views on ageism, beauty standards, body image, and feminism. In many interviews and essays, she has challenged the industry’s emphasis on youth and narrow ideals of beauty.
Personal Life & Later Years
Porizkova holds multiple citizenships: she is Czech-born, raised partly in Sweden, and later a U.S. citizen.
In 1989, she married musician Ric Ocasek (frontman of the rock band The Cars). Jonathan Raven Ocasek (born 1993) and Oliver Ocasek (born 1999).
They separated around 2017, and in 2019, Porizkova found Ocasek deceased in his home, while they were in the process of divorce.
In 2024, she underwent bilateral hip replacement surgery and later shared that she gained weight afterward but embraced her body’s changes.
As of April 2025, she celebrated her 60th birthday by posting a barefaced bikini selfie on Instagram, marking her confidence and commitment to natural beauty.
In 2025, she was re-signed as a global ambassador for Estée Lauder, marking a full-circle return to a brand she once represented, now aligned with her message of embracing beauty at all ages and rejecting “anti-aging” language.
Style, Influence & Cultural Significance
Paulina Porizkova’s significance lies in more than her looks: she defied limiting labels and used her platform to expand the conversation around aging, identity, and self-worth.
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She challenged the modeling industry’s obsession with youth by continuing to model actively into her 50s and beyond—and speaking candidly about that choice.
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She helped broaden representation for Eastern European models in a Western-dominated industry.
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Through her writing and public commentary, she has offered an alternative narrative: that beauty and value evolve with life, rather than disappear.
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Her memoir and social media presence serve as examples of vulnerability, candor, and resistance to sanitizing one’s life for public consumption.
Memorable Quotes
Here are some notable quotes and sentiments attributed to Paulina Porizkova:
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On aging and self-acceptance: “We have been taught that our bodies are valuable if they're pretty… But showing your body can be celebration, not only objectification.”
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On feminism and identity: In her New York Times essay “America Made Me a Feminist,” she describes how her American life reshaped her views on women’s rights and individuality.
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On beauty and truth: She often emphasizes that being “unfiltered” (in image and voice) allows deeper connection and authenticity. (This theme runs through No Filter and her interviews.)
Lessons from Paulina Porizkova’s Life
Her journey offers multiple lessons:
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Redefine standards. What counts as “beautiful” or “acceptable” can and should expand with time and culture.
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Embrace change. Bodies, roles, relationships change; accepting rather than fighting those transitions can lead to deeper self-respect.
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Speak your truth. Using one’s platform to challenge norms requires courage—and it can reshape discourse.
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Intersect multiple identities. Porizkova belongs simultaneously to multiple geographies (Czech, Swedish, American), industries (fashion, entertainment, writing), and life stages—and she does not compartmentalize them.
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Resilience through adversity. From political dislocation to personal loss and medical challenges, she has maintained creative presence and purpose.