Christie Brinkley 'Today Show' break down reveals Peter Cook drama

Model-actress Christie Brinkley, of Bridgehampton, dissolved into tears yesterday at the end of an eight-minute interview with Matt Lauer on "Today" that focused on her bitter divorce from ex-husband Peter Cook.

"I just want peace," Brinkley, 58, said in a choked voice. "And every time I have any joy or any kind of success in anything he has to try to destroy it. And the courts need to learn how to deal with this kind of situation."

Brinkley said Cook, a Hamptons-based architect, was violating a no-contact rule in their 4-year-old divorce agreement. "I haven't had any contact with him," she said. "But he continues to contact me and that's the problem. And so I quietly asked the judge, 'Please, make this stop.' "

Earlier this month, Cook, 53, said in television interviews that Brinkley refused to give him required information "about doctors' appointments" and similar parental issues involving their daughter Sailor, 13, and son Jack, 16, and that she has prevented access to them.

Brinkley, who rejoins the Broadway musical "Chicago" next week, told Lauer she has kept mum about Cook's claims until now, saying, "There's not one quote from me, anywhere. This is the first time I've ever been on a show" to respond. Brinkley's attorney, Tom Campagna, did, however, accuse Cook earlier this month of "a desperate smear campaign."

Cook's attorney, James R. Winkler of Port Jefferson Station, told Newsday that his client "has not sent an email to Christie Brinkley for two years," adding that Brinkley is "violating provisions requiring her to communicate with Peter and consult with him on issues involving the children. She's refused to do for so two years."