Former Sports Illustrated cover star Kathy Ireland has surprised her followers by announcing a dramatic career change from modelling to commercial fishing. The 62-year-old, who now runs a multi-billion dollar licensing empire, revealed she's taken up fishing off the Santa Barbara coast with her husband.
From Catwalk to Commercial Fishing
Kathy Ireland, whose 1989 Sports Illustrated cover became the magazine's highest-selling issue ever, told TMZ that she sees numerous parallels between her new fishing venture and her business world experiences. "There's so many similarities in fishing and in business," the modelling icon explained.
She elaborated on the unexpected connections: "It gets pretty rough and you've got to be able to pivot. In business and when you're heading out to sea the weather's dynamic - you've gotta be prepared." The former model emphasised the need for constant vigilance in both fields, noting that "you have to be hyper alert when you're on the boat" while in business "you've gotta watch out for sharks!"
Family Inspiration and Learning the Ropes
Ireland's passion for fishing was inspired by her husband, former emergency room physician Dr Greg Olsen, who has been commercially fishing for two decades. Earlier this year, Kathy obtained her open-ocean commercial fishing license from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, fulfilling a long-held ambition to join her husband on his fishing expeditions.
"I grew up camping and fishing. My husband, he's been fishing since he was 3 years old," she shared with Fox News earlier this month. "I've always wanted to go out with him on the boat. This season, an opportunity opened up. And when the calendar allows, I go out there with him."
The business mogul admitted she's still "learning the ropes" of commercial fishing but described the career pivot as "wonderful" and expressed gratitude for the opportunity.
Sharing the Journey on Social Media
Kathy has been documenting her fishing adventures on Instagram, giving fans a glimpse into her new aquatic lifestyle. In one post, she shared a photo of herself filling bait jars, captioning it: "Though I love working with my husband on the most beautiful ocean, as I'm filling bait jars with warm squishy mackerel, this is the verse that fills my heart! 'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.'"
Another post detailed her experience with lobster fishing, where she gushed: "Lobster fishing is hard work! Sore from head to toe but a good kind of sore! Back at it tomorrow! Non-stop from pre-dawn to post dusk, the most beautiful scenery everywhere and the most handsome captain!"
Building a Business Empire
While fishing represents her latest venture, Ireland remains a formidable force in the business world. Her company, Kathy Ireland Worldwide, generated retail sales of $3.1 billion in 2021 alone, cementing her status as a licensing powerhouse.
Beyond business, Kathy has dedicated significant time to philanthropy, supporting organisations including the March of Dimes, City of Hope, and Feed the Children. Earlier this year, she launched Music Funds The Cure for the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation, demonstrating her ongoing commitment to charitable causes.
The modelling legend, who began her career at 16 after being scouted, became one of the most successful models of the 1980s and early 1990s, gracing covers of Cosmopolitan, Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, and Forbes alongside her record-breaking Sports Illustrated appearance.
