Rebecca Alie Romijn was born on November 6, 1972, in Berkeley, California. She was raised in the same city by her mother, Elizabeth Kuizenga, a community college instructor who taught English as a Second Language, and her father, Jaap Romijn, a custom furniture maker originally from the Netherlands. The couple met during a student exchange program.

Growing up, Rebecca faced a number of personal challenges. Despite her now-celebrated appearance, she revealed during an interview on The Ellen DeGeneres Show that she experienced insecurities in her youth. Diagnosed with scoliosis, she suffered chronic back pain during her teenage years. Her tall stature, attributed to her Dutch heritage, also set her apart during school, earning her the teasing nickname “Jolly Blonde Giant.” Romijn considered herself a “drama geek” throughout high school.

Initially pursuing music at the University of California, Santa Cruz, Romijn developed an interest in modeling during her college years. She ultimately decided to leave college and move to Paris, where she lived for over two years to pursue a full-time modeling career.

Modeling Career

Romijn began her professional modeling career in 1991. She quickly rose to prominence, appearing in major fashion magazines such as the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, and working with brands like Victoria's Secret and bebe. Her distinctive look and charismatic presence also made her a favorite on the runway, where she modeled for well-known designers including Giorgio Armani and Anna Molinari.

From 1998 to 2000, Romijn expanded her presence in the fashion world by hosting MTV’s television series House of Style, which gained her further popularity with a broader audience.

Acting Career and Role as Mystique

Rebecca Romijn transitioned to acting in the late 1990s, beginning her screen career around 1997. Her breakthrough came with her portrayal of Mystique in Marvel's X-Men film series. She played the iconic shape-shifting mutant in X-Men (2000), X2: X-Men United (2003), and X-Men: The Last Stand (2006). This role significantly boosted her profile in Hollywood and remains one of her most recognized performances.

Though she was later replaced in the role by actress Jennifer Lawrence for the X-Men prequel films, Romijn’s portrayal of Mystique remains notable for helping establish the character’s visual identity and cultural impact. Her work across modeling and acting has contributed to an estimated net worth of approximately $25 million.

Personal Life and Social Media Presence

Rebecca Romijn was first married to actor John Stamos; the couple divorced in 2005. In 2007, she married actor Jerry O'Connell. Together, they have twin daughters. Outside of her career, Romijn maintains a presence on social media, particularly Twitter, where she frequently engages with fans and shares updates on both her personal and professional life.