When one thinks of the quintessential American supermodel, Cheryl Tiegs inevitably comes to mind. Born on September 25, 1947, in Breckenridge, Minnesota, Tiegs redefined beauty standards and left an indelible mark on the fashion industry. Her journey from a small-town girl to an international icon is as fascinating as it is inspiring.
Early Life and Breakthrough
Cheryl’s journey began in Alhambra, California, where her family moved when she was a child. Despite her beauty, Cheryl was more interested in academics. It wasn’t until her senior year of high school that she decided to send some photos to modeling agencies.
Her big break came when she was featured on the cover of Glamour magazine in 1964, while she was still a teenager. This cover was a sensation, and soon, she became a household name.
Rising Stardom and Cultural Impact
Cheryl Tiegs is best known for her appearances in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issues. Her 1978 cover, featuring her in a fishnet swimsuit, became an iconic image and represented a shift in the portrayal of women in media. Tiegs also launched her own line of clothing and accessories for Sears, becoming one of the first models to leverage her brand in such a way.
Beyond Modeling: A Multifaceted Career
Tiegs ventured into various fields, appearing on television shows like “The Love Boat” and “Fantasy Island,” and participating in reality TV. She became an advocate for health and wellness, promoting a balanced lifestyle long before it became trendy.
Cheryl Tiegs’ personal life has been as eventful as her professional one. She has been married four times and has two sons. Despite the ups and downs, she has always remained resilient. In addition to her professional achievements, Tiegs has supported organizations focused on environmental conservation and children’s education, using her platform to make a positive impact.
The Tragic Reason Why One Man Actually Turned Blue Forever
The world’s most famous blue man, Paul Karason, also dubbed Papa Smurf, was born as a fair-skinned, freckled boy with ginger hair. In the 2000s, he became an internet sensation and made many TV appearances, openly talking about his condition. Let’s find out together why Karason turned blue and how he became a cautionary tale.
Paul Karason had a skin condition that made his skin flake, as well as acid reflux and arthritis. Doing his own research in order to improve these ailments, he found out about a solution of silver in water, also known as colloidal silver.
Colloidal silver was widely used as an antibiotic back before penicillin was invented in the 1930s. It was banned in 1999 in over-the-counter medications after scientists found that it can severely damage internal organs.
The late Paul Karason and his wife, Joanne
Karason drank what he believed was a miracle cure for over 10 years. Moreover, he even began to apply a silver preparation directly to his skin; he claimed his acid reflux and arthritis just went away. “I had arthritis in my shoulders so bad I couldn’t pull a T-shirt off. And the next thing I knew, it was just gone,” he shared.
Due to the silver accumulation in his skin, he started to turn blue and suffered from a permanent and rare condition called argyria. Only when Karason met an old friend who asked him, “What have you done to yourself?” did he begin to realize he’d become blue.
Karason claimed his blue skin had many advantages — he never got sunburns or had to wear sunglasses. There were some side effects he did not appreciate, however, such as folks “being less than polite” to him. Moreover, Karason confessed he couldn’t get a job because of employers’ resistance to hiring “people that are blue or that are noticeably different.”
Sadly, Paul Karason passed away in 2013 when he was 62 years old due to heart complications.
Papa Smurf’s story serves as a valuable lesson about the importance of being careful when it comes to at-home remedies. While it’s natural to want to find easy solutions to health problems, it’s important to be aware that such remedies can sometimes pose serious risks. It’s always better to consult a doctor and follow their advice for a safe and effective treatment.
Preview photo credit Inside Edition / YouTube
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