Gisele Bundchen

Gisele Caroline Bundchen was born on July 20, 1980, in Horizontina, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, and is widely regarded as one of the most successful and highest-paid supermodels in history. Discovered at age 14 in a shopping mall in Sao Paulo, she quickly rose through the ranks of the fashion industry and had her breakthrough moment at Alexander McQueen’s Spring 1998 “Rain” show, where she walked the runway in the pouring rain. This moment is credited with helping to end the “heroin chic” era of modeling and ushering in a new standard of healthy, athletic beauty.

Throughout the 2000s and 2010s, Gisele dominated the modeling world like few before her. She was the highest-paid model in the world for 14 consecutive years, from 2002 to 2016, earning an estimated $30-45 million annually at her peak. She served as a Victoria’s Secret Angel from 2000 to 2007, graced the covers of virtually every major fashion magazine, and walked for the world’s most prestigious designers including Chanel, Versace, Dolce & Gabbana, and Balenciaga. Her 2015 farewell walk at Sao Paulo Fashion Week was a global media event.

Beyond modeling, Gisele has built a vast business empire. She has had lucrative endorsement deals with brands including Chanel No. 5, Pantene, H&M, and Under Armour. She launched her own skincare line and has been involved in real estate investments. Her book “Lessons: My Path to a Meaningful Life” became a bestseller in 2018. She has also been a dedicated environmental activist, serving as a United Nations Environment Programme Goodwill Ambassador and advocating for rainforest conservation.

Gisele was previously married to NFL legend Tom Brady from 2009 to 2022, and together they have two children. Their high-profile divorce was one of the most discussed celebrity events of 2022. Despite the personal changes, Gisele has continued to thrive professionally and personally, maintaining her status as one of the wealthiest self-made women in the entertainment industry with an estimated net worth of $400 million.