Actress and model Brooke Shields recently described an adventurous excursion to Croatia as her "highlight of the summer." The 61-year-old shared moments from her journey with companions, including comedian Chelsea Handler, which encompassed exploring urban areas, visiting majestic waterfalls, and enjoying the open sea.
Shields commenced her social media update with a striking image of herself seated alongside a powerful waterfall, clad in a black strapless one-piece swimsuit. Appearing thoroughly drenched by the cascading water, she reclined on a moss-laden rock, her legs extended. With her eyes closed and face upturned toward the sun, her dark hair was slicked back, complemented by a gold chain necklace and coordinating bracelets.
Reflecting on the experience, Shields captioned her Instagram post, stating, "Highlight of the summer: the most amazing trip to Croatia with the best people 🇭🇷😍🏝️."
A subsequent photograph showed Shields savoring a sun-drenched day on the water alongside Handler and another companion. Shields was pictured relaxing on a wooden swim platform connected to a boat, still in her black one-piece. Handler, 51, was positioned close by in a turquoise swimsuit, while a third woman smiled from the water, dressed in a red bikini top and patterned bottoms.
The close friends appeared to thoroughly enjoy their shared moments during the excursion. Shields and Handler have maintained a friendship for many years, having previously engaged in open discussions about their lives and relationships on each other's podcasts.
Exploring Croatian Landscapes
Transitioning from aquatic activities, Shields opted for a vibrant yellow dress as she and Handler explored the streets of Croatia. The actress, known for her role in "Pretty Baby," accessorized her flowing dress with a broad-brimmed straw hat, multiple layered necklaces, and a brown belt. Handler was captured alongside her, wearing a white button-down shirt, a patterned skirt, a navy baseball cap, and dark sunglasses, as they posed for a picture on a bustling thoroughfare.
The trip also revealed Shields' adventurous spirit. A video segment within the shared carousel depicted her taking a courageous leap from the precipice of a rushing waterfall, plunging into the waters below while still in her black one-piece swimsuit.
Admirers responded enthusiastically in the comments section, commending both Shields and the stunning scenery of her destination. One individual remarked, "Croatia is beautiful 😍," while another declared, "Brooke Shields The most beautiful in the world😍😍." A third fan added, "What a fun trip! ❤️." Playfully acknowledging Shields' waterfall dive, a commenter quipped, "So that’s the fountain of youth you’ve been using!"
Navigating Public Life and Personal Growth
This seemingly carefree vacation follows several months after Shields spoke openly about her efforts to maintain a sense of grounding, a challenge she has faced throughout a life largely lived under public scrutiny.
In a July 2026 discussion with Oprah Winfrey for Oprah Daily, Shields elaborated on her journey navigating fame since commencing her modeling career as an infant.
"You either become a victim to it, and you resent it, and then you get angry, and you get bitter," Shields articulated the dichotomy of living in the public eye, "or you say, ‘OK, how can I not be devoured by this? How can I surround myself with people who are grounded?’"
She emphasized that establishing and preserving normalcy grew especially crucial after she became a mother to her daughters, Rowan and Grier, with her husband Chris Henchy. She conveyed to Winfrey her dedication to this principle:
"How can I stay as grounded as possible to be the kind of mom for my daughters that it would very easily be derailed in this industry?"
Shields also discussed the intricate nature of her relationship with her late mother, Teri. Teri, who raised Shields as a single parent and managed her career from a young age, created a dynamic where their lives were deeply interconnected, leaving little space for Shields' individual identity to fully form. Reflecting on this, Shields shared:
"There was so much love, but then you couple that with the industry that we were in. She protected me fiercely."
The acclaimed actress further elaborated on how extensive therapy has enabled her to differentiate her personal voice from the enduring influence of her mother, who also served as her long-term manager. She expressed gratitude for this progress:
"Luckily, I hear — I’ve worked so hard on myself — to hear my own voice in my head first. And that’s years of working on it and therapy and thinking about it and talking about it and making myself sort of freer from this."