Stacey Williams, the former model who has accused Donald Trump of groping her after the two were introduced by sexual abuser Jeffrey Epstein in the 1990s, was a staple of the legendary Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issues throughout the 1990s.
Born in Dallas, Pennsylvania in 1968, Williams modeling career began in the late 1980s, quickly becoming a popular figure in the industry, working with numerous high-profile fashion brands and photographers.
Williams’ work in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issues helped solidify her as one of the most prominent swimsuit models of her time appearing alongside other famous names including Tyra Banks, Christie Brinkley, Heidi Klum and Rebecca Romijn.
Standing at 6 feet tall, she was featured six years in a row making her debut in 1992 and then returning for six years in a row as she fast became a fan favorite, until 1998.
She returned for the 40th anniversary issue in 2004 as part of SI’s Hall of Fame.
And in 2013, a special issue celebrating Sports Illustrated’s 50 Greatest Swimsuit models, saw the magazine bring her back to the coveted pages for an eighth time, hailing her as ‘one of Swimsuit’s most memorable models’.
In the final rundown of 50 beauties, Williams ranked a respectable 19th.
Her modeling all came at a time when supermodels were becoming international stars in their own right, but Stacey chose a more understated path.
Williams was a versatile figure in the industry as her natural good looks ensured she was able to show off high-fashion brands while also being relatable enough for commercial work.
Though she kept a relatively low profile compared to some other supermodels of her time, Williams was a recognizable name in the world of fashion modeling.
Outside of the industry, Williams has also featured in a number of minor films including appeared The Dogwalker (1996) while also having a small role in Jerry Maguire (1999). But her acting career never reached the heights of her modeling success.
Beyond her high-profile modeling work, Williams has managed to maintained a relatively private life.
As the fashion industry shifted in the 2000s, Williams seemed to step back from the limelight, allowing newer faces to emerge while she focused on her personal life.
On her IMDB profile, Williams is said to be married to Evan Strauss whom she has had a child with. The couple purchased a mansion in Los Angeles at the turn of the millennium.
The profile shares a couple of nuggets of trivia on Williams including how she once appeared on a poster Moosehead Beer in 1996, ‘practices yoga, and dreams of opening her own studio one day.’
It while she was at the height of her fame in 1992 Williams, then 24, said she met Donald Trump at a party after being introduced by the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, whom she had dated.
Epstein, who was convicted of sex offenses and killed himself in prison in 2019, paid Trump an impromptu visit with Williams at his New York office block, where he pulled her toward him and began groping her, she alleged.
Williams, now 56, says Trump put his hands ‘all over’ her breasts, waist and buttocks, causing her to freeze on the spot, and she noticed that the two men appeared to be smiling at each other.
A Trump campaign spokeswoman has dismissed the allegations as a ‘fake’ story.
Williams shared a postcard depicting Trump’s south Florida mansion she said he had sent her agent after the episode a year later in 1993, with the message, in his handwriting: ‘Stacey – Your home away from home. Love Donald.’