Emily Ratajkowski was born on June 7, 1991, in Westminster, London. She is an American model, actress, and author known as EmRata. Emily rose to fame in the 2013 music video for Blurred Lines.
Who is Emily Ratajkowski?
Emily O’Hara Ratajkowski is an American model, actress, and author. Fans and media often call her EmRata.
She signed with Ford Models at age fourteen. That early start launched a modeling career that later expanded into film and television.
Emily appeared on the cover of the erotic magazine treats! in March 2012. The cover led directly to her casting in Robin Thicke’s Blurred Lines music video the following year.
That single video turned her into a global name almost overnight. She later used that fame to move into acting and business ventures.
Beyond modeling, Emily has built a career as a published author and entrepreneur. She also speaks openly about feminism and women’s rights through her writing and public appearances.
Early Life of Emily Ratajkowski
Emily was born in Westminster, London, to American parents Kathleen Anne Balgley and John David Ratajkowski. She was the couple’s only child.
Her mother worked as an English professor. Her father worked as a painter and art teacher.
The family moved to the San Diego suburb of Encinitas, California, when Emily turned five. She spent parts of her childhood traveling in Europe, including time in Ireland and Mallorca.
Her father’s work as an artist exposed her to photography and fine art from a young age. Emily became interested in theater and acting early on, staging small shows for her family.
She attended San Dieguito Academy in Encinitas for high school. Afterward, Emily enrolled at UCLA in 2009 to study Fine Art.
She left UCLA after one year to model full time. That decision shaped the rest of her career path.
Emily Ratajkowski Age
Emily Ratajkowski is 35 years old as of 2026, born on June 7, 1991. Their zodiac sign is Gemini.
She recently returned to acting with the 2025 Netflix series Too Much. Emily continues to balance modeling, writing, and screen work at this stage of her career.
Emily Ratajkowski Ethnicity and Nationality
Emily Ratajkowski holds American nationality. She has described her ethnic background as Polish-Israeli, along with Irish ancestry.
Her mother is Jewish, and her father was raised Roman Catholic. Emily has said her ancestors made aliyah from Eastern Europe, which shapes how she identifies culturally.
Emily Ratajkowski Height and Weight
Emily stands at 5 feet 7 inches, or about 1.70 meters tall. Her exact weight is not publicly confirmed.
She has maintained a consistent runway and swimwear modeling physique throughout her career. Emily has spoken about favoring simple workouts like yoga over extreme fitness routines.
Emily Ratajkowski Education
Emily attended San Dieguito Academy in Encinitas, California, for high school. She enrolled at UCLA in 2009 to study Fine Art.
She left the university after just one year. Emily has said the traditional classroom setting did not match her creative ambitions at the time.
Instead, she chose to pursue modeling full time. That choice came directly after her brief stint at UCLA.
Emily Ratajkowski Career
Emily signed with Ford Models at fourteen years old. She spent her early teenage years modeling for catalog brands like Kohl’s and Nordstrom.
She also pursued acting during this period. Emily landed a small role on the Nickelodeon series iCarly before shifting her focus back to modeling.
Her career changed direction after the March 2012 cover of treats! magazine. That cover caught the attention of a major music video director soon after.
Breakthrough Role and Career Start
In 2013, Emily appeared in Robin Thicke’s music video for Blurred Lines. The song topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart for twelve weeks that year.
The video made her recognizable worldwide almost instantly. Emily also appeared that year in Maroon 5’s video for Love Somebody.
Her modeling profile grew quickly after that exposure. She then began transitioning into film roles.
Notable Films and Projects
Emily made her feature film debut in Gone Girl in 2014, starring opposite Ben Affleck. She earned praise for her performance as the film’s mistress character.
She then joined the cast of Entourage in 2015, playing a fictionalized version of herself. That same year, she took her first leading role alongside Zac Efron in We Are Your Friends.
Emily appeared in the 2014 and 2015 Sports Illustrated swimsuit issues. In April 2018, she won the Model of the Year award from the Daily Front Row.
She also starred in I Feel Pretty in 2018 and Welcome Home the same year. Emily published her essay collection My Body through Metropolitan Books in November 2021, and it reached the New York Times Bestseller list.
Recent Work
Emily returned to scripted acting in 2025 with the Netflix series Too Much, created by Lena Dunham. The role marked her most significant screen project in several years.
She has also continued walking major runway shows. In March 2026, Emily returned to Dior’s front row after a nine year absence, and she walked in Gucci’s Fall 2026 show that same season.
Emily launched her clothing brand Inamorata, which focuses on swimwear and body conscious fashion. She has grown the label into a steady business alongside her modeling work.
Emily Ratajkowski Filmography
Emily has built a varied list of film and television credits since 2014. Here are some of her most notable roles.
- Gone Girl (2014)
- Entourage (2015)
- We Are Your Friends (2015)
- The Spoils Before Dying (2015)
- I Feel Pretty (2018)
- Welcome Home (2018)
- Cruise
- Too Much (2025)
Emily Ratajkowski Awards and Recognition
Emily won the Model of the Year award from the Daily Front Row on April 8, 2018. The honor recognized her standing in the fashion industry that year.
She has also appeared multiple times in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. Emily’s 2014 and 2015 swimsuit issue appearances helped cement her modeling reputation.
Her book My Body reached the New York Times Bestseller list in 2021. That recognition extended her profile beyond modeling and acting into literary work.
Emily Ratajkowski Brand Endorsements
Emily became the face of DKNY intimates in March 2017. She later fronted the entire DKNY brand campaign that same year.
She has also worked with The Kooples, designing a 38 piece bag collection for the French label. Emily became the face of DL1961 jeans and The Frye Company in 2017 as well.
Beyond outside brands, Emily runs her own label, Inamorata. The swimwear and clothing brand reflects her personal design sense and business ambitions.
Emily Ratajkowski Boyfriend
Emily Ratajkowski is currently dating French filmmaker Romain Gavras. The couple first sparked dating rumors in November 2025 after they were seen kissing during a date night in New York City.
They went Instagram official with their relationship in February 2026. Romain previously dated singer Dua Lipa and, before that, Rita Ora.
Emily was previously married to producer Sebastian Bear-McClard. She announced their courthouse wedding in New York City on February 23, 2018, after dating for only a few weeks.
The couple separated in July 2022, and Emily filed for divorce that September. She later described the collapse of the marriage in a personal essay for The Cut.
Emily Ratajkowski Children
Emily shares one child with her ex-husband Sebastian Bear-McClard. Their son, Sylvester Apollo Bear, was born on March 8, 2021.
She has written openly about early motherhood in her essays. Emily has described adjusting to single motherhood following her 2022 divorce.
Emily Ratajkowski Net Worth
Emily Ratajkowski’s estimated net worth is $8 million as of 2026. Her income comes from modeling contracts, acting roles, and her Inamorata clothing brand.
Her book My Body added another revenue stream after its 2021 release. Emily also earns from brand partnerships and sponsored social media content.
Her modeling work with major fashion houses continues to generate steady income. Emily has built her fortune gradually since signing with Ford Models as a teenager.
Emily Ratajkowski Social Media
Emily is active on Instagram under the handle @emrata, where she shares modeling work, personal essays, and family updates. She also posts content on TikTok using the same emrata handle.
She has used her platforms to discuss feminism and body image. Emily’s essay collection My Body grew partly out of themes she first explored in her social media posts.
Her large following gives her brand partnerships significant reach. Emily continues to post regularly across both platforms.
The Bottom Line
Emily Ratajkowski built her career from a single 2012 magazine cover into a role in Robin Thicke’s Blurred Lines the following year. She later starred in Gone Girl alongside Ben Affleck and won the Daily Front Row Model of the Year award in 2018.
She grew up in Encinitas, California, after being born in London to an artist father and professor mother. Emily has written candidly about motherhood and divorce in her essays for The Cut and in her book My Body.
She returned to scripted television in 2025 with the Netflix series Too Much. Emily continues to grow her Inamorata brand while raising her son Sylvester.
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