Cindy Crawford is no longer the fresh-faced 22-year-old model gracing the cover of high fashion magazines. However, a photo of Crawford posing in lingerie is causing a stir as it exposes what the supermodel really looks like now that she is in her 40s.

Last week, an untouched photo of the 48-year-old model that was taken during her magazine shoot for Marie Claire Mexico and Latin America's December 2013 issue leaked on the Internet. In the photo, Crawford is seen wearing a bra and panty lingerie set, fur coat and cowboy hat. The unedited photo also reveals her wrinkles, cellulite and body fat.

In response to the photo leak, Marie Claire published a statement.

"An unretouched photo of Cindy Crawford has been circulating on Twitter this morning, revealing a body that defies expectations -- it is real, it is honest, and it is gorgeous," the statement said.

Although it appears that the photo was leaked without Marie Claire's permission, the magazine says it is proud that the picture has been publicized.

"No matter where the photo came from, it's an enlightenment -- we've always known Crawford was beautiful, but seeing her like this only makes us love her more," the statement continues.

Ariadne Grant, editor in chief of Marie Claire Mexico and Latin America, also made a comment about Crawford in a news release, reports CNN.

"During the session that we did at that time for our edition, we proved that Cindy is an ambassador of beauty who has made history," Grant said. "It was a total privilege to have this fashion icon on the cover. The most important thing about this news is to note the beauty that Crawford has always been, and how happy we are that she has been part of a production for Marie Claire Mexico and Latin America -- a title that shows the strength and power of real women, always respecting (their) beauty, individuality and femininity."

According to CNN, the image went viral after British ITV News anchor Charlene White shared it on Twitter on Friday. White said she noticed the image on her friend's private Instagram feed.

"Women come in all sorts of different shapes and sizes," White said. "I think it's important to see all sorts of body shapes on our screens and in our magazines so that people have a true reflection of what people look like."

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