A Hunted Hunter

Background:

Beginning her modeling career at age 17, Rachel Hunter, ex wife of former rock star Rod Stewart, reached the position of a top model while regularly modeling for such fashion magazines as Vogue, Cosmopolitan and the yearly Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. Later becoming a mother of two, Liam and Renee Stewart, did little to harm

Rachel's beauty and sexiness. However, as the numbers of her age rose, Rachel began to train in acting. Fans can find her in several films such as Two Shades of Blue (2002, starring Gary Busey), the 2001 film Rock Star with Mark Wahlberg, and sharing the screen with actor Alexandra Paul in the 2002 film, Redemption of the Ghost. Rachel played "mom" in the music video Stacy's Mom in 2003, has hosted VH-1's fitness program as well as launched numerous fitness and workout videos. In March, Rachel will work for UK TV channel Five as the host for the show Make Me A Model, a countrywide search for the upcoming UK supermodel. Rachel commented, "I'm delighted to be hosting Make Me A Supermodel. This is an amazing opportunity for young women hoping to make their mark in the modeling industry."

The blue-eyed top model, which was once threatened by cancer, has been able to keep the balance between her beauty and nature awareness. She keeps busy helping charities that work toward saving the gorilla in the Congo and raising funds for her own wildlife organization, The Rachel Hunter Lowland Gorilla Fund. Rachel also serves as the ambassador of The Born Free Foundation.

A Hunter is born

Childhood and Family:

Growing up in a family of divorced parents, Rachel Hunter, born on September 9, 1969, became rather withdrawn and self-conscious in her girlhood. At one time she was diagnosed with a blood ailment, which fortunately was not harmful.

The New Zealander model and actress married rock star Rod Stewart on December 15, 1990. The marriage of then 21 year-old-top model with Rod, who is 24 years her senior, caught the public's attention.

"You can't really expect a 22-year-old girl to react the same way as a man 24 years older than her," said Rachel.

The couple had two children, daughter Renee Stewart, (born June 1, 1992) and son Liam Stewart (born September 4, 1994), but later filed for divorce on June 17, 2003.

Since the divorce Rachel has been linked to famous men Mark McGrath and Bruce Willis.

How the Hunter survives

Career:

Rachel, who originally desired to be a ballerina, eventually strutted for cameras and runways. Starting her career at the age of 17, Rachel quickly worked numerous fashion magazine covers such as Vogue, Cosmopolitan and Sports Illustrated. Also splattered before the public with Cover Girl, Estee Lauder, Revlon, and Pantene, Sports Illustrated offered Rachel more work, including posing ten years later in celebration of her first appearance in the magazine.

Rachel landed a multi-million pound deal in autumn 2003 with Classified Cosmetics for their new launch of spray-on make up that will be campaigned worldwide. Recently Rachel also closed a deal as the model for Ultimo's underwear product. Rachel, who sports a 36C/D-24-35 figure, has also posed nude for Playboy's latest cover.

Possibly due to her age, Rachel added acting to her career with a number of TV's appearances for shows like The Drew Carey Show and Suddenly Susan of NBC. Other appearances include Rachel Hunter: Laid Bare, which aired in August 2003. Rachel has been a juror for ABC's You're Hot, as well as being the presenter for the Laureus Sports Awards, held in Monaco. Rachel soon switched to films. One of her most recent endeavors is Just a Little Harmless Sex (Alison Eastwood and Lauren Hutton), where she portrays a nightclub waitress.

Although she has not gained a leading role yet, her talent is reflected in several films including Soul Mates, Tripfall, where she worked with now deceased actor John Ritter, Boys Klub and A Walk in the Park. Recently Rachel finished her first starring role beside actors Brian Buzzini and Rosanna Arquette in the boxing film 12 Rounds. She also worked alongside Julie Delpy in Billy Wirth's feature film MacArthur Park. Rachel will play the role of an alcoholic mother besieged with the demise of her child in the upcoming film Winding Road, costarring Michael Weatherly.