The daughter of an Air Force Colonel and a homemaker, Cynthia developed her "people skills" at an early age. Her father's military obligations dictated that her family continually move while growing up.

Cynthia resided in Europe, East Africa, East and West Coast of the USA and the Seychelles Islands. Upon her father's retirement, the family settled in suburban Washington, D.C.

At age 15, Cynthia began modeling. She was booked into conventions, print ads and onto runways. She was a swimwear fit model for Oscar de la Renta, Donna Karen, and walked the runway for every swimwear manufacturer at the time.

She met and worked with Giorgia Sant Angelo, Halston, Geoffrey Beene and more.