What Happened to Paulina Porizkova?
Paulina Porizkova, the Czech-born supermodel who rose to fame in the 1980s, has successfully reinvented herself as an author, anti-ageism activist, and media personality. After facing personal and financial challenges following the death of her estranged husband Ric Ocasek, she has embraced radical honesty, published a bestselling memoir, and continues to model while advocating for age inclusivity. As of May 2026, she is engaged to screenwriter Jeff Greenstein and is navigating a move from her New York City apartment just days before their wedding.
Quick Answer
Paulina Porizkova continues to be a prominent figure in modeling, writing, and social media, actively challenging ageism in the beauty industry. She released her acclaimed memoir, "No Filter: The Good, the Bad, and the Beautiful," in 2022 and rejoined Estée Lauder as a Global Brand Ambassador in 2025. As of May 2026, Porizkova is engaged to screenwriter Jeff Greenstein, with their wedding imminent, and recently addressed the non-renewal of her New York City apartment lease, which she clarified as a 'privileged people problem' rather than a true eviction.
đKey Facts
đ Complete Timeline14 events
First Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue Cover
Paulina Porizkova became the first Central European woman to appear on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue at age 18.
Signed Historic Estée Lauder Contract
She secured a groundbreaking $6 million per year contract with Estée Lauder, making her one of the highest-paid models globally at the time.
Married Ric Ocasek
Porizkova married Ric Ocasek, the lead singer of The Cars, whom she met on the set of the band's 'Drive' music video.
Separated from Ric Ocasek
Paulina Porizkova and Ric Ocasek announced their separation after 28 years of marriage.
Ric Ocasek's Death and Disinheritance
Ric Ocasek passed away unexpectedly, and it was later revealed he had disinherited Paulina from his will, leading to significant financial and emotional challenges for her.
Sold NYC Townhouse
Amid financial difficulties following Ocasek's death, Porizkova sold the New York City townhouse she shared with him for $10 million.
Published Memoir 'No Filter'
Her memoir, 'No Filter: The Good, the Bad, and the Beautiful,' a collection of essays on aging, beauty, grief, and reinvention, was released to critical acclaim.
Began Dating Jeff Greenstein
Paulina Porizkova met and began dating television writer Jeff Greenstein on the dating app Raya.
Returned to Estée Lauder as Global Brand Ambassador
She rejoined Estée Lauder with a new mission to champion age inclusivity and redefine beauty standards for women of all ages.
Filmed Czech Movie 'Bardotky'
Porizkova returned to her native Czech Republic to film 'Bardotky,' a new Czech-language movie centered on three women in their sixties, expected for a 2026 release.
Announced Engagement to Jeff Greenstein
Paulina Porizkova publicly announced her engagement to Jeff Greenstein via Instagram, showcasing her diamond ring.
Launched 'Twenty Good Summers' Podcast
Paulina Porizkova and Jeff Greenstein launched their joint podcast, 'Twenty Good Summers,' discussing their lives and relationship.
Revealed Apartment Lease Issue
On their podcast, Porizkova and Greenstein revealed that her New York City apartment lease would not be renewed, requiring them to move days before their wedding.
Clarified 'Eviction' Comments
Paulina Porizkova clarified on Instagram that she was not technically 'evicted' but rather chose not to renew her lease for a full year, calling it a 'privileged people problem.'
đDeep Dive Analysis
Paulina Porizkova's journey from a supermodel icon to a candid public figure has been marked by significant career highs, personal tragedies, and a powerful reinvention. Born in Czechoslovakia, she became a global sensation in the 1980s, notably gracing the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue in 1984 and securing a groundbreaking $6 million per year contract with Estée Lauder in 1988, making her one of the highest-paid models in the world.
Her personal life saw her marry Ric Ocasek, frontman of The Cars, in 1989. Their marriage lasted 28 years before they separated in 2018. A profound turning point came with Ocasek's unexpected death in 2019, followed by the revelation that he had disinherited her from his will, claiming she had abandoned him. This left Porizkova in a precarious financial situation, reportedly forcing her to borrow money from friends and eventually leading her to sell their long-time New York City townhouse for $10 million in 2020.
In the aftermath, Porizkova embraced a new role as an advocate for authenticity and anti-ageism, particularly through her strong presence on social media. She published her critically acclaimed memoir, "No Filter: The Good, the Bad, and the Beautiful," in November 2022, which delves into themes of grief, aging, beauty standards, and self-worth. This period also saw her return to the fashion world with a renewed purpose; in January 2025, she rejoined Estée Lauder as a Global Brand Ambassador, specifically championing age inclusivity and redefining beauty for women at every stage of life.
Her personal life also saw a resurgence of happiness. After dating various individuals, she met television writer Jeff Greenstein on the dating app Raya in February 2023. Their relationship blossomed, and they announced their engagement in July 2025. The couple co-hosts a podcast, "Twenty Good Summers," discussing life and relationships in their sixties. Professionally, Porizkova also filmed a new Czech-language movie, "Bardotky," in her home country in June 2025, which is expected to be released in 2026.
As of May 28, 2026, Porizkova is preparing for her wedding to Jeff Greenstein in Italy. However, the couple recently faced an unexpected upheaval: the non-renewal of her Manhattan apartment lease, which she initially described as an 'eviction' just days before their ceremony. She later clarified on Instagram that it was a lease expiration they chose not to renew for a full year, acknowledging it as a "privileged people problem" given their other housing options, including a country home and Greenstein's Los Angeles residence. Her estimated net worth in 2026 is between $10 and $12 million, reflecting her continued modeling work, writing, and brand partnerships.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Paulina Porizkova made different choices?