Kathy Ireland recently surprised her fans by revealing that she has swapped her modeling career for a new venture in commercial fishing.

The 62-year-old Sports Illustrated legend, who now oversees a multi-billion dollar licensing empire, draws parallels between fishing and her business pursuits.

Speaking with TMZ, she noted, “There are so many similarities between fishing and business.”

She elaborated, “Things can get pretty intense, and you need to be adaptable. Just like when you’re setting out to sea, the business world is unpredictable—you have to be ready for anything.”

On the boat, Ireland emphasized the need for vigilance. “You have to stay alert to avoid tripping over ropes or encountering other hazards. It’s crucial to ensure you don’t get tangled in someone else’s lines.”

‘Always alert. And in business you’ve gotta watch out for sharks!’ 

Model Kathy Ireland now runs a multi-billion dollar licensing empire and she says that her new career in commercial fishing is very similar to what she does in the business world

Kathy was one of the most successful models of the ’80s and early ’90s

Kathy said that she’s still ‘learning the ropes’ of commercial fishing, but is enjoying fishing off the Santa Barbara coast with her husband, former emergency room physician Dr. Greg Olsen.

Olsen has been commercial fishing for 20 years and his passion for the venture inspired Ireland to get her open-ocean commercial fishing license from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife earlier this year. 

Speaking to Fox News earlier this month, Kathy called her career pivot ‘wonderful’ and said that she was grateful for the opportunity.

‘I grew up camping and fishing. My husband, he’s been fishing since he was 3 years old,’ she explained.

‘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.’

Kathy has been sharing her fishing expeditions on Instagram, with the star recently sharing a photo of herself filling bait jars.

‘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”,’ she wrote.

Kathy obtained her open-ocean commercial fishing license from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife earlier this year

‘There’s so many similarities in fishing and in business,’ she explained to TMZ

The former model is enjoying fishing off the Santa Barbara coast with her husband, former emergency room physician Dr. Greg Olsen

In another post, she shared her experience going lobster fishing.

‘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!’ she gushed. 

Her 1989 Sports Illustrated cover became the magazine’s highest selling issue ever and was awarded the Greatest Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Cover of all Time during the magazine’s 50th anniversary event.  

At the age of 16, Kathy was scouted and shortly after, became a prominent face in the modeling world.

Aside from appearing on Sports Illustrated Swimsuit covers, she’s also posed on covers for Cosmopolitan, Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and Forbes.

Kathy is now a philanthropist and also keeps busy with her branding empire 

Kathy’s 1989 Sports Illustrated cover became the magazine’s highest selling issue ever

She has since become a business mogul in the branding space thanks to her licensing company, Kathy Ireland Worldwide.

In 2021 alone, the company generated retail sales of $3.1 billion.

Outside of her branding empire, Kathy is known for her tireless philanthropy. 

For years, she has been dedicated to helping those battling with addiction and other health needs.

Kathy has put a lot of her time and devotion to charity, such as the March of Dimes, City of Hope, and Feed the Children. 

Earlier this year, she also launched Music Funds The Cure for the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation.