Kathy Ireland describes the most critical relationship in her life: her relationship with Jesus. The former Sports Illustrated model openly discussed her faith at the 30^th Annual Movieguide Awards. Ireland told Fox News Digital, “The most important relationship in my life is with Jesus, and though I became a Christian at 18, I am so grateful that God is so patient and gracious.”

Ireland called herself a slow learner by beginning her religious journey so young, but she keeps embracing her religion. Ireland continued, “I love that scripture tells us, ‘The one who is forgiven much, loves much,’ so I love a whole bunch.” Ireland also expressed her gratitude for her relationship with Jesus. She said, “Without Him, I don’t know. I certainly wouldn’t be here. I wouldn’t be anywhere. His love is unconditional, and it’s there for anyone to receive it. He’s there with open arms for everybody.”

Ireland also discussed her philanthropic work while on the red carpet. She produced a documentary titled “Anxious Nation,” which focuses on the anxiety epidemic in the US, especially its impact on families and children. While Ireland’s work shines a light on children, she added that spending time with her own family is imperative to her.

Ireland explained to Fox News Digital, “It is an honor to be here at the Movie Guides Awards, especially in these times. We need to be encouraged and inspired, and these are films that do just that. I love being able to watch films with the whole family and really enjoy them, to have meaningful content that truly is empowering.”

When Ireland was sixteen in 1979, she was scouted at her high school by Elite Model Management. She has appeared on covers for Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Shape Fitness, Harper’s Bazaar, Mademoiselle, Teen, Seventeen, Forbes, and Mademoiselle. During Sports Illustrated swimsuit’s 50th Anniversary event, Ireland’s 1989 cover was awarded “The Greatest Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Cover Of All Time” by its publisher.

Ireland’s successful transformation from a cover girl to a multimillion-dollar entrepreneur has been explicitly cited as inspiring by several active fashion models. After appearing on the cover of Sports Illustrated magazine in 2012, in a subsequent Today show interview, Kate Upton stated that she would like to follow in the footsteps of other cover girls, specifically Heidi Klum and Ireland.

Ireland graced the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit for 13 consecutive years. In 1993, she launched the kathy ireland® Worldwide brand and became a cover girl for Forbes in 2015. Named one of the most successful women in America, Forbes reported the mogul moved an astounding $2 billion worth of licensed products at retail for her brand amid her growing empire.

Though Kathy Ireland’s career started in modeling, she’s now an entrepreneur with her hands in several pots. None of Kathy’s success would have happened without her relationship with Jesus, which she calls the most critical relationship in her life. She may not be perfect in her connection with Jesus, but all that matters is that the relationship is there.