Brooke Shields Biography: Brooke Christa Shields, born on May 31, 1965, is an American actress who began her career as a child model at just 11 months old. She gained widespread attention at age 12 for her leading role in Louis Malle’s film Pretty Baby (1978), which included nude scenes filmed when she was 11.
Brooke Shields Biography
Want to know what comes between me and my Calvins? Nothing.” If you haven’t heard of Brooke Shields before, this famous tagline from her Calvin Klein Jeans ad certainly caught people’s attention. But Shields already had an impressive resume by then. Born on May 31, 1965, in New York City to Teri (Schmon) and Frank Shields, she rose to fame at just 12 years old playing a child prostitute in Pretty Baby (1978).
Brooke Shields Biography 2025 Details
| Born |
Brooke Christa Shields
May 31, 1965 New York City, New York, U.S.
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|---|---|
| Education | Princeton University (BA) |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1966–present |
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) |
| Spouses |
Andre Agassi (m. 1997; div. 1999)
Chris Henchy (m. 2001) |
| Children | 2 |
| Parents |
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| Relatives |
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| Category | Singers Bio |
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About Brooke Shields
Brooke Christa Shields is an American actress. A child model starting at the age of 11 months, Shields gained widespread notoriety at age 12 for her leading role in Louis Malle’s film Pretty Baby, in which she appeared in nude scenes shot when she was 11 years old.
Brooke Shields Personal Life
That film, considered daring and controversial at the time, probably wouldn’t be made today. She followed it with another hit, the romantic adventure The Blue Lagoon (1980). Brooke has proven herself to be much more than those early roles, with a diverse career that’s especially impressive given how challenging it can be for child actors to successfully transition into adult roles. She has kept busy throughout her career—appearing on a Bob Hope Christmas special, starring in her own sitcom Suddenly Susan (1996), and even working as an author.
Brooke Shields Achievements
Shields continued modeling through her teenage years and starred in several 1980s dramas, such as The Blue Lagoon (1980) and Franco Zeffirelli’s Endless Love (1981). she paused her modeling career to attend Princeton University, earning a bachelor’s degree in Romance languages. During the 1990s, Shields returned to acting with smaller film roles and starred in NBC sitcoms including Suddenly Susan (1996–2000), which earned her two Golden Globe nominations, and Lipstick Jungle (2008–2009).
Brooke Shields Wiki
- Born: 31 May 1965 (age 60 years), Manhattan, New York, United States
- Spouse: Chris Henchy (m. 2001), Andre Agassi (m. 1997–1999)
- Children: Grier Hammond Henchy, Rowan Francis Henchy
- Height: 1.83 m
- Parents: Teri Shields, Francis Alexander Shields
- Siblings: Christina Shields, Olympia Shields, Marina Shields, Thomas Gore Auchincloss Jr.
Early Life and Family Background
Shields was born in Manhattan, New York City, to actress and model Teri Shields (née Schmon) and businessman Francis Alexander Shields. Her mother had English, German, Scotch-Irish, and Welsh roots, while her father’s ancestry included English, French, Irish, and Italian heritage. Genealogical research by William Addams Reitwiesner revealed that Shields descends from several noble Italian families, particularly from Genoa and Rome.
These lineages include the Gattilusi-Palaiologos-Savoy, Grimaldi, Imperiali, Carafa, Doria, Doria-Pamphili-Landi, Chigi-Albani, and Torlonia dynasties, spanning from 1355 to 1965. Her paternal grandmother, Marina Torlonia di Civitella-Cesi, was an Italian noblewoman, daughter of an Italian prince and an American socialite. Shields’ great-uncle was Alessandro Torlonia, an Italian nobleman married to Infanta Beatriz of Spain. In a 2010 episode of Who Do You Think You Are?, Shields learned she is descended from Victor Amadeus I of Savoy and his wife Christine of France.
How Did Brooke Shields Become Famous?
Brooke Shields likely doesn’t remember a time before fame. Born to actress and model Teri Shields and businessman Frank Shields, she started modeling at just 11 months old. Guided early on by renowned agent Eileen Ford, who even launched her agency’s children’s division because of Shields, Brooke quickly became a standout. Her film debut came with Pretty Baby (1978), where she played a child prostitute at age 12. The movie featured nude scenes with Shields and sparked major controversy, which still resonates today.
By 1980, at age 14, Shields became the youngest model ever to appear on the cover of Vogue. That same year, she starred in the now-iconic Calvin Klein campaign, famous for the suggestive tagline, “You want to know what comes between me and my Calvins? Nothing.” The campaign stirred debate over the sexualization of a minor but helped launch both Shields and Calvin Klein into superstardom.
Was Brooke Shields a Calvin Klein Model?
Yes, Brooke Shields famously modeled for Calvin Klein. In 1980, she appeared not only in print ads but also in the highly talked-about TV commercial with the line, “You want to know what comes between me and my Calvins? Nothing.” The campaign was controversial but hugely successful, boosting Calvin Klein’s brand and cementing Shields as a fashion icon. Shields later described the shoot as intense under photographer Richard Avedon, who was nervous as it was his first commercial project. The shoot required many takes, with no one else allowed on set.
How Old Was Brooke Shields in the Calvin Klein Ad?
Shields was only 15 when she filmed the Calvin Klein commercial. The sexual undertones caused an uproar upon release. Looking back, Shields has said she didn’t understand the innuendo at the time and was actually quite naive—she was a virgin then and remained so for some time after. Despite the backlash, she remains proud of the campaign’s success and its lasting impact on advertising.
How Much Did Brooke Shields Make for the Calvin Klein Ad?
Reports vary, but Brooke Shields is believed to have earned between $500,000 and $800,000 for the controversial Calvin Klein commercial. Additionally, the company behind Calvin Klein jeans at the time, Puritan, reportedly gave her an $80,000 horse as a bonus.
How Much Did Brooke Shields Make for The Blue Lagoon?
Shields’ exact salary for The Blue Lagoon (1980) is unknown. The film, made when she was 14, also sparked controversy due to its sexual content and nudity, although Shields has said a body double was used for some scenes. It’s believed she earned a percentage of the film’s profits in addition to an upfront payment. For reference, she was paid around $500,000 plus profits for Endless Love (1981), so her pay for The Blue Lagoon was likely similar.
How Much Did Brooke Shields Make for Suddenly Susan?
Brooke Shields starred and produced Suddenly Susan from 1996 to 2000. While her exact salary isn’t public, co-star Kathy Griffin revealed in 2015 that she earned $20,000 per episode, and another co-star made around $80,000. As the lead and producer, Shields likely earned about $100,000 per episode.
How Much Did Brooke Shields Make for Lipstick Jungle?
Shields starred in NBC’s Lipstick Jungle from 2008 to 2009. Her exact earnings for the role as Wendy Healy are unknown. She described her character as a busy, ambitious studio executive balancing motherhood and career, reflecting some of her own life experiences.
How Much Did Brooke Shields Make for A Castle for Christmas?
Shields starred alongside Cary Elwes in the 2021 Netflix holiday film A Castle for Christmas. Her salary for the role hasn’t been disclosed. In interviews, she expressed admiration for the film’s portrayal of a strong woman and discussed her evolving career and confidence in her 50s.
What Is Brooke Shields’ Husband Worth?
Brooke Shields has been married to writer and producer Chris Henchy since 2001. Henchy, who co-founded Funny Or Die with Will Ferrell and others, is worth about $50 million—approximately $10 million more than Shields herself. He is involved in producing, screenwriting, and occasional acting.
Brooke Shields’ Net Worth 2025
As of 2025, Brooke Shields’ net worth is estimated at $40 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. Her wealth comes from decades of work across modeling, acting (both on-screen and voice roles), producing, and being a spokesperson. She has also written a well-received memoir, showcasing her versatility in the entertainment industry.
FAQs
What is Brooke Shields’ husband’s net worth?
Henchy, a television producer, film producer, screenwriter, and sometime-actor, is reportedly worth $50 million.
How did Brooke Shields make her money?
Shields’ big break came when she was only 11, starring in the provocative film “Pretty Baby.” The movie, which featured controversial nude scenes, sparked considerable debate but didn’t deter Shields. By the age of 16, she had become the youngest model to appear on the cover of “Vogue,” earning a notable $10,000 a day.
How many times did Brooke Shields marry?
Shields has been married twice. In 1993, she began a relationship with Andre Agassi; the couple married in 1997 and divorced in 1999. In 1999, she met television writer Chris Henchy through common friends. The pair wed in 2001.
Did Brooke Shields come from a wealthy family?
She had become pregnant with Brooke after a brief relationship with a man from a wealthy New York family; they divorced when Shields was five months old. Shields then spent a strange childhood shuttling between her father’s affluent Long Island life and her mother’s penniless bohemia.