After becoming pregnant, she started working as a secretary for various models, charging $65 to $75 per month for her services. In 1947, after Jerry returned from the war, the pair decided to start a modeling company, even though Eileen was the only one with any industry knowledge. Despite bring brand new and having a “terrible” location, they profited a quarter million dollars in their first year and was considered the third most successful company in the industry. The Fords had four children together, their third child, Katie, took over the modeling agency in 1955. They remained married until Jerry’s death in 2008. Eileen followed him in death in January of 2014.