She Survived an Abusive Father and Critics of Her Looks – Now at 71, She's Hailed as a Timeless Beauty

The celebrity shared that her father seemed to always find a reason to punish her. Along with the physical abuse she suffered when she was young, she was also criticized for aging — something she now firmly speaks out against.

This public figure looked back on her early years in her memoir "Uptown Girl," which came out in April 2025. At 71, she has also spoken about the struggles she faced with her body image growing up and how her views have changed over time.

As she explored those changes, the star also began to examine the deeper sources of her early pain. In "Uptown Girl," she described how thinking back on her past felt like watching a damaged film reel.

The actress remembered her biological father, Herb Hudson, walking through the door each evening — and the fear that followed. Her book reveals that he often struck her with a belt when she was still very young.

"My mom and Herb were married for at least a decade until they got divorced when I was 8," she wrote. "Nearly every night, after Herb came home from work as a milkman, he took off his belt and whipped me."

Other nights, he would take her into the bathroom and wash her mouth out with soap, scrubbing until she could taste lye. She added:

"It didn't matter how good or quiet I was: Herb always seemed to find a reason to punish me."

That chapter of her life left marks that never fully faded. But not long after, a courtroom scene offered a moment of peace she hadn't known before.

The last time she saw Herb was in a Los Angeles County courtroom. Her mother was preparing to marry Don, a gentle and thoughtful television writer. That day, Herb gave up his parental rights to both her and her older brother, Greg. Recalling the moment Herb made his decision, she wrote:

"I was stunned [and thinking] Why didn't he love me?"

The judge asked Don if he would take full responsibility for raising the siblings. "Yes, absolutely," he replied. That simple answer brought her an overwhelming sense of comfort.

In an interview, the celebrity explained that her early memories felt scattered — like an old black-and-white film with missing frames, "I think a lot of memories were sort of in these snippets of film that were cut out and thrown away so I didn’t have to think about it."

She now believes the gaps came from how painful those years were. Her mother, she explained, likely wanted to forget that part of their past, and so they both carried on as if it had never happened.

To anyone they met, Don was introduced as her father. They never mentioned the remarriage — her mother preferred to present it as though they had always been a family. It seemed to be her way of wiping away the past, and the young girl, in her own way, understood that choice.

Choosing not to dwell on the past influenced many of her early experiences. As the years passed, she began to focus more on how she saw herself.

Years later, the model shared an old Cosmopolitan magazine cover that showed her posing in a bikini. Alongside the image, she included an honest note about how she felt at the time. She penned:

"I remember I was worried that I looked fat. I'm so glad that today our industry appreciates all shapes and sizes so we can just focus on being healthy. Not cookie cutter."

Even now, she believes many young girls struggle with feeling like they aren't good enough — something she once experienced herself. Looking back, she views that kind of worry as time wasted. The celebrity wonders if the clarity that often comes with age — one that helps ease those doubts — could somehow be passed down to younger generations.

Still, she sees value in shifting the focus toward feeling good, calling it an important move in the right direction. These thoughts, she noted, came to her as she flipped through a few old photos.

As she revisited those images from the past, her thoughts soon turned to more recent moments — ones that came with a different kind of scrutiny. Known for her decades-long career as a supermodel and actress, Christie Brinkley found herself responding to harsh remarks in June 2023.

After posting a selfie on Instagram, the then 69-year-old addressed online critics she referred to as "the wrinkle brigade." She wrote:

"They are the people that scan celebrities pages, hoping to find some cellulite, wrinkles, or anything that they can point to to to critique [sic]. It must be some form of compensation for some things they are lacking."

Years earlier, the "National Lampoon's Vacation" star remembered being warned she wouldn't last in the spotlight. "I was literally told you will be chewed up and spit out by 30," she shared.

On the morning of her 30th birthday, instead of shrinking under pressure, she decided to celebrate by climbing a mountain. She stood at the top of the mountain, thinking she had never felt better in her life. That moment marked her decision to stop letting numbers define her.

Having spent most of her life in front of the lens, Christie was occasionally asked about her views on cosmetic treatments. "I mainly do lasers," she explained in an interview. "I don't try to get rid of every wrinkle."

The celebrity admitted to experimenting with fillers and visiting her doctor in the city, adding, "I don't want to look 'done' or anything." She also mentioned undergoing Fraxel, a skin-resurfacing treatment, after dealing with skin cancer. "It's mainly about health for me now," she said.

Her attention to wellness became even more personal during an unexpected visit to the dermatologist. In May 2024, two months after revealing her skin cancer diagnosis, Christie shared how doctors discovered it during a routine skin check she attended with her daughter.

She was in the room when the doctor used a small magnifying glass to examine a few spots her daughter was concerned about. At that moment, she noticed a small area on the side of her own head and wondered whether to speak up, thinking it wasn't her appointment.

As they were wrapping up, she decided to ask the doctor to examine the area. "He looked and he goes, 'We've got to do a biopsy immediately. This is something.' Then the biopsy came back (as) cancer," she recounted.

Christie later had surgery that successfully removed the cancer from her face. Her hair naturally covered the area, making the scar barely visible.

Following her recovery, Christie began to view aging with a sense of ease — seeing it more as a stage of freedom than something to fear. As she approached a new decade, she opened up about turning 70 during a 2024 appearance on "Today with Jenna & Friends." The Michigan-born star said:

"You know what, 70, there is nothing to fear. It really is an amazing time because you don't really care about what people think about you. You just have fun."

That same year, she posted a photo on Instagram and shared her thoughts in the caption. Christie expressed that with all the conversation surrounding age, she believed 70 felt more like the new 40 — a perfect time to try new things, give back, explore the world, or even launch a business.

The star added that the possibilities were endless and encouraged others to turn their dreams and goals into reality, celebrating every stage of life. Embracing life with confidence also inspired her newest project, one that blends comfort with timeless design. She launched her fashion line, HSN: The Classics. Called TWRHLL, the collection is named after her Hamptons home, Tower Hill.

Christie explained in an interview that the clothes in her collection were designed to be enjoyable to wear because they wouldn't tug or pull. She believed comfort played a big role in how a day unfolds, saying that feeling good in what you wear can make everything smoother — comparing it to the boost of confidence that comes with a good hair day.

The ease and confidence she brings to her wardrobe also radiate through her public image. Fans have since gushed over her timeless beauty on social media, leaving comments filled with admiration. One praised, "She's so beautiful." Another exclaimed, "Timeless! Gorgeous." A third marveled, "Wow, stunning Christie."

Christie continues to face each stage of life with honesty and grace. She has spoken openly about her childhood, personal struggles, and experiences with aging. Her approach to beauty centers on health and comfort, not perfection.

Through her fashion line and public voice, she encourages others to embrace themselves fully. At 71, she remains a lasting figure admired for both her strength and style.