Christie Brinkley Says She’ll ‘Be Turning 50 for the 15th Time’ During 65th Birthday Bash

Legendary model Christie Brinkley turns 65 on Saturday, February 2nd, but she wants to remind everyone that not only is age just a number, but that she still looks and feels younger than what her age entails.

While attending a birthday party held for her at the Gramercy Park Hotel on Tuesday, January 29, the actress and businesswoman said, “Groundhog’s Day is my birthday, and I’ll be turning 50 for the 15th time.” According to People, Christie also said, “Everybody pays so much attention to your number. I like to say, ‘That’s just my biological age, but my spirit age is totally different.’ Your spiritual age comes from everything about you, not just this assigned number because that’s how long you’ve been around, kicking around this crazy old world.”

Christie is very well known for not looking her age, as she seems to look younger and younger with every passing day. But even she understands the amount of pressure that comes with that expectation. While at a recent cocktails and conversation event for her new show American Beauty Star in New York City, she exclusively told Closer Weekly in the magazine’s latest issue, on newsstands now, “I’m painted into a corner where I’m supposed to look good for my age all the time, and it’s inevitable that age is going to catch up with you.” She continued, “I don’t want to have to be anything other than what I am.”

Christie also revealed that her main focus is on living an active life. She added, “I want to feel healthy, strong and fit, so if somebody says, ‘Let’s go skiing!’ I can do it.” The model said, “I’ll put up a picture with no makeup, and the thread will be like, ‘Oh, I’m so happy you’re starting to age. You’re just like us!’ And I’m like, ‘What? I’m talking about going on a hike!’”

And while Christie does plenty to stay looking young and fit, she recently said that if there’s one tip she can give to folks wanting to stay feeling younger than their age it’s to laugh. “I think laughter is the greatest de-stressor,” Christie told the beauty blog Byrdie. “Number one, call up a friend or your family and hang out. Don’t wallow in it. Just get out the door. Get outside … And of course, smiling! I really do think it has to do with an attitude of gratitude. An attitude of gratitude keeps you happy, and happiness is youthful.”