brinkley was born christie lee hudson in monroe, michigan on february 2, 1954, the daughter of marjorie (née bowling) and herbert hudson. her family moved to canoga park, los angeles, california, where her mother marjorie later met and married television writer donald brinkley in bel air, los angeles. donald adopted christie and her brother greg brinkley. during this time, the family lived in malibu and then the brentwood neighborhoods of los angeles. brinkley was educated at paul revere junior high school and attended le lycée français de los angeles from 9th to 12th grade. after graduation in 1972, she moved to paris, to study art.