The Original Top Model: Throwback Photos Of Tyra Banks Ripping The Runway In Honor Of Her 45th Birthday

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Today is a living doll’s birthday. Tyra Banks turns 45 and the queen of smizing and wearing oh so many hats (from business to beauty) is still as youthful as ever. And while she enjoys doing everything from hosting to acting and more, we will always remember for her days on the runway.

She started modeling at 15 and eventually retired in 2005 at the age of 32. In her first runway season, she booked 25 shows for Paris Fashion Week in 1991. She walked for the likes of Christian Dior, Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent, Fendi, Giorgio Armani, Donna Karan, Givenchy, Valentino, Michael Kors, Oscar De La Renta and many more high-fashion designers throughout her illustrious career. And who could forget how influential she was as a Victoria’s Secret angel?

When she finally said goodbye to modeling as a whole, taking her final bow at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, she told Today that she had always planned to make an exit in her prime.

“When I was 18, my mom said I have to have a plan. I decided I’d leave on top,” she said. “I want to be like the athletes who seem stuck in time. When you see them at 50, you say they probably can still run like a champ.”

And if you ask Banks to hit the catwalk at 50, we know she will not miss a beat. In honor of her 45th birthday, we decided to take a look back at some iconic images of the Inglewood-bred beauty ripping the runway in her heyday. Hit the flip and enjoy the greatness: