This 80s supermodel graced all the magazine covers. She still looks fabulous at 64 years old
Carol Alt remains one of the most recognizable and influential figures in modeling history — a woman whose name became synonymous with beauty, ambition, and cross-industry success. Rising to prominence in the late 1970s and 1980s, she earned the nickname “The Face,” reflecting her widespread impact on the fashion world. Her image became a staple on magazine racks across continents, and her remarkable presence helped shape the early era of supermodel culture.
Born Carol Ann Alt on December 1, 1960, she spent her childhood in Flushing, Queens, New York City. The third of four children, she grew up in a hardworking, middle-class household. Her father served as a fire chief, while her mother — whose own modeling background helped influence her daughter’s path — raised the family. Although she originally envisioned a career in law and attended Hofstra University with that goal in mind, her future changed unexpectedly. During a summer job as a waitress, a photographer noticed her striking look, opening the door to a life far beyond her initial plans.
Once she stepped into the fashion industry, Carol Alt’s ascent was rapid. By the early 1980s, she had appeared on hundreds of magazine covers, including leading titles such as Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Harper’s Bazaar, and Sports Illustrated. Her breakthrough came in 1982 with the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, which launched her into international fame and helped define her as one of the first models to achieve global household-name status.
With success came opportunity, and Alt proved to be more than a face in print. Her early modeling achievements laid a foundation for the next chapters of her career — chapters that would expand beyond photography studios into film sets, television screens, business ventures, and health advocacy. Her trajectory became one of expansion, reinvention, and longevity, making her a pioneer for models who followed.