Christie Brinkley Reflects on Miraculous Helicopter Crash Survival

Telluride, Colorado — Christie Brinkley, the iconic model, recalls the terrifying helicopter crash that nearly took her life in 1994. During a heli-skiing trip, she survived a plunge when the helicopter struck a mountain, cutting her cabin in two.

At the age of 71, Brinkley shared her harrowing experience in her memoir, Uptown Girl, saying that she feels grateful to be alive. ‘I think that this world is full of magic and miracles,’ she told Fox News Digital.

Brinkley, who was carrying dirt from the Santuario de Chimayo in New Mexico during the flight, had visited the site known for its healing properties just weeks before the accident. ‘I went to the Santuario de Chimayo, fell in love with the hope and miracles emanating from that tiny sanctuary,’ she wrote.

Before boarding the helicopter, she sensed something was off. ‘I had a bad feeling that day…’ she recalled, explaining that she sprinkled the holy dirt in hopes it would protect everyone aboard. ‘I said, ‘Oh magic dirt, do your stuff, take good care of all of us on this helicopter this day.’

Brinkley was with five others, including real estate developer Ricky Taubman and ski guide Mike Friedman, when disaster struck. The helicopter fell three hundred feet in a freefall before hitting the mountain. ‘The crash was sudden and traumatic,’ she noted, detailing how the cabin became a chaotic whirlwind.

‘Suddenly, it became crystal clear that the only thing that really mattered in life and at death was the same: love,’ she wrote. During the impact, she clung to thoughts of her daughter, Alexa Ray Joel.

Fortunately, all aboard survived, with rescue helicopters arriving within an hour. Investigators later deemed their survival ‘nothing short of a miracle.’

Despite surviving the crash, Brinkley faced challenges thereafter, including PTSD. ‘Every time I held Alexa in my arms, I felt like sobbing,’ she shared. Yet, the experience shifted her perspective on life, leading her to appreciate the beauty around her.

In her memoir, Brinkley emphasizes her commitment to health and a positive lifestyle. ‘I’ve been a lifelong vegetarian, and about a year ago, I became a vegan,’ she stated. ‘I treat myself to good nutrition.’ Today, she continues to inspire others with her story of resilience and gratitude.