Home Page Bookmark This Page

Karen McDougal Winter Wonder playmate karen mcdougal wants to take the chill out of the season As a small-town girl in Sawyer, Michigan, Karen McDougal was a tomboy until a late-teens growth spurt turned her into a beauty queen. Now the 26-year-old preschool teacher doubles as a Venus International Swimwear model. Karen's latest moonlighting gig is even more dazzling: Sawyer's pride is now our Miss December. Q: How have folks back home reacted to the news that you're Playboy's latest Playmate? A: With shock. I was always wholesome little Karen. In high school my nickname was Barbie, as in Barbie doll -- the nice, sweet, perfect girl. That sort of girl isn't expected to be seen in the most-looked-at men's magazine in the world. But I think it's going to work out. Now that people are getting used to the idea, they're treating me like a celebrity. Q: What are the rewards of spending your days with people half your size? A: I teach preschool because I love kids. I want to have a few children of my own one of these days. My mother has 12 brothers and sisters, each with at least six kids of their own. I have almost 100 cousins. If I can find the right man, I want to start adding to the family total. I'm a nurturer. Q: One with sensational biceps. Do you bench-press toddlers at work? A: No, but I do work out every day. I think strength is important to a woman. It's energizing. It gives you the self-confidence you need to succeed. Q: What's your personal best as a weight lifter? A: I don't go for bulk. My best in the squat is 140 pounds. Q: Do the youngsters where you work know you are also a swimwear model and a Playmate? A: No. To them I'm just Miss Karen. Q: Your wholesome look is also a little exotic. What is your heritage? A: Irish and Native American. I suppose I got my cheekbones from my Cherokee grandfather; the Irish side of the family must be responsible for my pert little nose. Q: Can a woman be both wholesome and sexy? A: Definitely. A woman can be whatever she wants to be. It's all in her attitude. I am truly a sweet, down-to-earth girl, soft and mild. But I can be crazy if the time is right. Q: How does it feel to be Sawyer's premiere sex symbol? A: I'm excited. Do you know I'm one of the oldest Playmates this year? I take care of my body. I'm proud to show it off. I hope you'll look at me and say, "Hey, that's not bad for 26 years old." Q: What do you see yourself accomplishing in the next ten years? A: By 2007 I hope I'll be running my own learning center for preschoolers. I would like to have at least three kids of my own. And I'd like to be as spunky at 36 as I am today. Photography by Richard Fegley

Playboy.com Centerfolds Special Editions Video On Demand Playboy Daily Deanna Brooks

• Our centerfolds by decade • Playmates 2000's Playmates 1990's Playmates 1980's Playmates 1970's Playmates 1960's Playmates 1950's • All our centerfolds • 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984 1983 1982 1981 1980 1979 1978 1977 1976 1975 1974 1973 1972 1971 1970 1969 1968 1967 1966 1965 1964 1963 1962 1961 1960 1959 1958 1957 1956 1955 1954 Kelly Monaco profile • photos Jenny McCarthy profile • photos Pamela Anderson profile • photos Anna Nicole Smith profile • photos Victoria Silvstedt profile • photos   Jennifer Walcott profile • photos Petra Verkaik profile • photos Heather Kozar profile • photos Karen McDougal profile • photos Tiffany Taylor profile • photos Buffy Tyler profile • photos Lisa Dergan profile • photos Tiffany Fallon profile • photos Brooke Richards profile • photos Luci Victoria profile • photos

© Playboy.com All Right Reserved.