Maria Whittaker rose to fame in the 1980s as one of Britain’s most recognizable glamour models, gaining national attention through her appearances as a Page 3 girl in The Sun newspaper.
With her girl-next-door appeal, curvy figure, and bubbly personality, she became a pin-up sensation during the peak of the UK’s tabloid-driven celebrity culture.
But Maria was more than just a pretty face—she also explored a music career and dabbled in acting, earning her place in British pop culture history.
Early Life and Rise to Fame
Maria Whittaker was born on October 7, 1969, in Hounslow, London, England. Of English and Irish descent, she began modeling in her teens and quickly found success after being featured in The Sun’s famed Page 3 feature, which showcased topless models and launched the careers of several glamour stars throughout the 1980s and 90s.
With her dark hair, wide smile, and voluptuous figure, Maria stood out immediately and became one of the most popular Page 3 models of the era. Her images were regularly featured in men’s magazines and calendars, making her a household name across the UK.
Modeling Fame and Cultural Impact
Maria’s popularity soared in the mid-to-late 1980s, when she was at the height of her modeling fame. She appeared in photo shoots for publications such as Mayfair, Men Only, and Playboy, and she was frequently featured in the annual Page 3 Calendar.
She became one of the defining figures of the “lad culture” era, symbolizing a more playful and cheeky side of British media. Alongside peers like Samantha Fox and Linda Lusardi, Maria helped usher in a new wave of mainstream glamour modeling that bridged the gap between tabloids and pop entertainment.
Music and Acting Career
In 1987, Maria transitioned from modeling to music, forming the pop group Ramsay with her brother, David Whittaker. The group leaned into the Euro-pop sound of the time, and while it didn’t lead to major chart success, it allowed Maria to experiment with her image and explore a new side of the entertainment industry.
She also appeared in a few British TV shows and low-budget films during the late ’80s and early ’90s. Though her acting career was relatively short-lived, her onscreen charisma and fame from modeling gave her crossover appeal that made her a recognizable face even beyond magazine covers.
Life Outside the Spotlight
After stepping back from the limelight in the 1990s, Maria focused on her family life and kept a low profile. She married stuntman and actor Michael West and is now a mother of three.
In recent years, Maria has reinvented herself as a certified nutritionist and now actively promotes healthy eating and wellness on her Instagram page, where she shares nutritious recipes, lifestyle tips, and positive messages aimed at encouraging a balanced, healthy lifestyle.
Though she no longer models or performs publicly, Maria occasionally makes appearances at nostalgia and fan events celebrating 1980s culture, where she’s still warmly received by longtime admirers.
