Jetting to exotic locales for photo shoots, meeting celebrities others only read about, attending glittering affairs as paparazzi cameras click—this is the life of a fashion model. Exciting and glamorous, the world of modeling is one filled with faces known around the world. Yet not one of these gorgeous models started out well known. Living normal everyday lives, they went from ordinary teen activities to a career in which chic designer styles, dazzling locations and the admiration of those around them are all part of daily life.
A look at the top models in the world today shows that each began simply as a tall young woman with a beautiful face and very slender figure. Photogenic from the start, each of these models ultimately has graced the covers of countless fashion magazines and walked the runways of the most famous international designers. Along the way, they’ve garnered success in the form of wealth and fame.
To get an idea of how models who have risen to the top of their profession got their start, here are some details on the top 7 highest paid models:
1. Gisele Bündchen
Brazilian model Gisele Bündchen tops the list, earning an estimated $25 million over the last year, making her the highest paid model every year since 2004. On track to potentially become the world’s first billionaire supermodel, according to Forbes magazine, she rose to supermodel status in 2000 with her record-breaking contract for $25 million with Victoria’s Secret. Discovery by the Elite Modeling Agency while shopping in a mall with friends, at age 14, launched her spectacular modeling career. From Louis Vuitton to Christian Dior to Victoria’s Secret, this curvaceous beauty has done it all. Indeed, she has been labeled her “the most beautiful girl in the world.” Linked with actor Leonardo DiCaprio for several years, Gisele Bündchen married NFL quarterback Tom Brady in February 2009.
2. Kate Moss
Known for her ultra-thin figure, Kate Moss is an English model whose reported earnings of $9.2 million annually place her second on this list. Discovered at New York City’s JFK airport by the founder of Storm Model Management, her career ascended with stark photos taken at age 16 for Britain’s The Face and she now has achieved international stardom for both her modeling and her fashion sense. With a waifish frame for which she was dubbed the “anti-supermodel,” Kate Moss modeled for magazines from Vogue to Vanity Fair and for renowned designers including Chanel, Gucci and, most famously, Calvin Klein, to name a few. It was her association with Calvin Klein that brought her both increased fame and fortune. Married to guitarist Jamie Hince since 2011, Kate Moss was also once engaged to actor Johnny Depp.
3. Natalia Vodianova
Russian fashion model Natalia Vodianova has an estimated income of $8.6 million per year. After attending modeling school at age 15, she signed with Viva Models in Paris two years later, embarking on a modeling career that has included print modeling for both British and American Vogue magazines as well as runway shows for designers from Marc Jacobs to Versace to Stella McCartney, among many others. Perhaps most notable of all is her three-year agreement with French lingerie company, Etam, where she not only represents the brand but will also design her own line to be marketed under the brand “Natalia pour Etam.” Currently, she is in a relationship with business executive Antoine Arnault of the design firm Louis Vuitton.
4. Adriana Lima
The beautiful contrast of dark hair and blue eyes has made Brazilian-born Adriana Lima a standout model. While she now earns $7.3 million annually, her original foray into modeling began when she reluctantly joined a friend who did not want to enter a modeling contest alone. Not only was Adriana Lima selected for the competition, she took first place in Ford’s “Supermodels of Brazil” shortly thereafter. At age 15, Adriana Lima’s modeling career was under way. Elle, Harper’s Bazaar and Marie Claire are among her numerous magazine covers and she has also walked the runways of Giorgio Armani, Vera Wang and BCBG. Now the spokesperson for Mavi Jeans, her huge success with this Turkish company has provoked the European and Russian branches of the company to make her the global face of the company. She married Serbian NBA player Marko Jaric on Valentine’s Day 2009.
5. Doutzen Kroes
Currently in her biggest modeling job of her career, stunning Dutch model Doutzen Kroes is famous as a Victoria’s Secret Angel. Her career began simply by applying to Paparazzi Model Management in Holland and now commands an annual income of $9.6 million. Moving to New York, her beautiful face and curvy body have garnered her numerous appearances on magazine covers including Glamour, W, Vogue and Avantgarde. She counts Valentino, Versace, Gucci and Calvin Klein among the globally famous designers whose fashions she has modeled on runways. She has been married to Dutch DJ Sunnery James since January 2011.
6. Alessandra Ambrosio
Another Victoria’s Secret Angel, Alessandra Ambrosio has the distinction of being the first spokesmodel chosen for the company’s PINK line. With a salary of $6.6 million, she has done campaigns for such well-known design houses as Ralph Lauren, Christian Dior, Armani Exchange and Next. She entered modeling school at only 12 years old and began modeling in her native Brazil at age 15, winning the country’s Elite Model Look. With extensive magazine credits from Cosmopolitan to GQ to Vogue, she is also the face of the British fashion company Next and Brazilian sportswear brand Colcci. Several years ago, she embarked on her own swimwear line called Alessandra Ambrosio by Sais. Business executive Jamie Mazur is her current partner.
7. Miranda Kerr
Australian and awesome, Miranda Kerr finishes the list at $4 million per year. She stepped into the world of modeling at age 13 after winning a nationwide model search in Australia. While modeling beachwear in Australia may have been her original claim to fame, she now represents both Victoria’s Secret as an Angel and the Australian fashion brand David Jones. In her most lucrative deal, she made her U.S. modeling debut with Maybelline New York, the well-known cosmetics brand. Elle, Harper’s Bazaar and Australian Vogue are among her print ads while Prada, Balenciaga and Nicholas Ghesquiere are among the designers who have chosen her to model their runway design. Her entrepreneurial spirit shows in her own line of organic skincare products called Kora Organic Skincare, for which she is, of course, the face. Actor Orlando Bloom has been her husband since July 2010.