Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · August 11, 2025 · Entertainment

Marriage on Lease: Christie Brinkley Proposes Five-Year Renewal to Avoid Divorce Drama

Christie Brinkley, 71, has a new take on marriage after four divorces, with a new point of view on holy matrimony that introduces elements of leasing. Pictured last month in the Hamptons

Christie Brinkley Spills Her Shocking Take on Marriage: "Leasing" Relationships and Why She Thinks Holy Matrimony is Outdated

In a jaw-dropping revelation, supermodel Christie Brinkley has taken to her friend Kristen Davis's podcast, Are You a Charlotte?, to share her unorthodox views on marriage. The 71-year-old beauty, who has been through four divorces, has sparked controversy with her proposal of "leasing" relationships – essentially treating marriages as temporary arrangements that can be renewed or terminated every five years.

During the candid conversation with Davis, Brinkley revealed that she believes the traditional concept of a lifelong monogamous relationship is "outmoded." When asked if she thought this was true, Brinkley didn't hesitate to express her thoughts. "I think reviewing a relationship every five years would be beneficial," she said. "It would allow people to exit stagnant romances without going through the costly and emotionally draining process of divorce."

The National Lampoon's Vacation star was pictured July 31 in Sagaponack, New York

The idea, dubbed by Brinkley as "leasing" relationships, has left many scratching their heads in confusion. "You could get married, like, 'We'll see if you want to renew it in five years,'" she explained, with a seemingly matter-of-fact tone. "Every five years, go, 'Do you want to renew?' If you're getting bored or whatever, you can get out of it without all the lawyers and all that stuff."

But is this just another one of Brinkley's many romantic misadventures? Her four divorces – from artist Jean-François Allaux in 1981, musician Billy Joel in 1994, real estate businessman Richard Taubman in 1995, and architect Peter Cook in 2006 – have been well-documented. And it seems that Brinkley is still reeling from her most recent heartbreak.

During the podcast, Brinkley shared a shocking anecdote about her daughter Sailor, who has matched with the same guys on dating apps as Christie herself. "She put me up there," Brinkley said, laughing, "and she said, 'Mom, you're right not to go on it, because the same guys that said yes to me are saying yes to you'."

From 1985 to 1994, she was wed to famed musician Billy Joel. Pictured in 1983

It seems that Brinkley's experiences have taught her a valuable lesson: to be more cautious in love. In an interview with The New York Times just last July, she confessed to being "too trusting" in her relationships and admitting that she often makes decisions based on emotion rather than logic.

"I'm a fool for love," she said, with characteristic candor. "That love takes work. Sometimes you need to rely on experts." Brinkley went on to express regret over some of the relationships she's been in, saying that they made her feel "unloved" and that she wishes she had found ways to save them.

So, is Christie Brinkley's unconventional take on marriage just a sign of her growing older and wiser – or is it a desperate cry for help? Only time will tell. One thing's for sure: this shocking proposal has left us all talking about the future of marriage.

From 1996 to 2006, she was wed to architect Peter Cook in a union that produced Sailor Brinkley-Cook, 27, while Peter also adopted Jack. Pictured in NYC in 2000

Sources: TheScholarlyNote.com