Gabrielle Reece

Volleyball Player / Model

Gabrielle Reece was a triple threat of the 1990s, a volleyball player whose powerful good looks led to modeling contracts and TV work. She played volleyball at Florida State while also modeling for fashion magazines like Elle in New York. After college she hit the pro beach volleyball circuit; at the same time, she began flashing her abdominals for fitness journals and other magazines. Her popularity got a serious boost when Nike signed her to a contract and started pushing her as an icon of Girl Power. In the 2000s she dabbled in golf and served as a health correspondent for the Today show. Her 1997 autobiography was titled Big Girl In the Middle.

Extra credit: Gabrielle Reece is 6'3" tall. According to an FAQ on her official site, "When did I reach 6'3"? Age 15. I went into college at 17 at 145 lb., and left the same height 17 lb. stronger"... She married surfer Laird Hamilton in 1997. They have two daughters: Reece (born 2003) and Brody Jo (b. 2008).

Ms. Reece is featured in the loop Big Girls on the Ball.