Christie Brinkley recently opened up about the most painful relationship of her life — her marriage to her fourth husband, architect Peter Cook. Now 71, the former supermodel shared her story in her new memoir Uptown Girl, where she revealed some deeply upsetting experiences from that time.
One of the most shocking moments she described happened while she was giving a graduation speech at a high school in the Hamptons. After the event, a stranger quietly approached her. He gently asked her about Peter Cook’s business, then delivered a bombshell that left her speechless:
“I have to tell you — your arrogant husband is having an affair with my teenage daughter,” the man said.
Christie was stunned and couldn’t move. In that instant, she realized she had become the kind of woman you often hear about — a middle-aged wife whose husband is cheating with someone much younger. It was a painful and humiliating realization.
Fortunately, her close group of female friends rallied around her and gave her support. One friend encouraged her to check the family computer. When she did, Christie discovered a nightmare — a maze of files filled with inappropriate images and disturbing content. She described how quickly the evidence piled up: printouts of explicit photos were scattered across the floor like garbage.
The discovery led to a long and difficult divorce that took six years to finalize. Christie described the marriage as “the most tortured relationship” she had ever experienced.
But something positive did come from sharing her story. Many women reached out, sending letters to thank her for speaking up. Her honesty made them feel less alone in their own struggles.
Now, when Christie looks back on that dark chapter, she does so with a sense of appreciation. The pain taught her important lessons and made her stronger. Even though she sometimes doubted she’d ever heal, she learned to look inward and remind herself of everything she still had to be thankful for.