Gisele Bundchen leads pack as world's highest-paid model: Forbes

Brazilian model Gisele Bundchen (centre) walks alongside her husband, US American football player Tom Brady, during a closing ceremony ahead of the final football match between Germany and Argentina for the FIFA World Cup in Rio de Janeiro on Ju
Brazilian model Gisele Bundchen (centre) walks alongside her husband, US American football player Tom Brady, during a closing ceremony ahead of the final football match between Germany and Argentina for the FIFA World Cup in Rio de Janeiro on July 13, 2014. Bundchen earned and estimated US$47 million (S$58 million) during the past year from lucrative contracts and other business ventures, Forbes.com said on Monday. -- PHOTO: AFP
Brazilian top model Gisele Bundchen presents a creation from Colcci's Summer 2015 collection at Sao Paulo Fashion Week in Sao Paulo in this file photo from April 2, 2014. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

NEW YORK (REUTERS) - With estimated earnings of US$47 million (S$58 million) during the past year from lucrative contracts and other business ventures, Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bundchen is the world's highest-paid model for the eighth consecutive year, Forbes.com said on Monday.

The 34-year-old wife of New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and mother of two young children easily outpaced her closest competition, Dutch Victoria's Secret model Doutzen Kroes, 29, with earnings of US$8 million before taxes and fees, and fellow Brazilian Victoria's Secret "angel" Adriana Lima, 33, with the same amount.

"The Brazilian icon pocketed US$47 million in the last 12 months before taxes and fees," Forbes.com said about Bundchen, adding that she made US$16 million more than her football player husband.

The model has contracts with fashion retailer H&M, the French fashion house Chanel and designer Carolina Herrera, among others, and has design deals for lingerie and sandals.

"Bundchen, who boasts 2.7 million Instagram followers, has earned US$386 million from modeling since 2001," according to Forbes.com.

Forbes calculated the earnings from June 2013 to June 2014 for the models and looked at income from cosmetics, endorsements, advertising and fragrance deals.

British model Kate Moss, 40, the face of luxury jeweller David Yurman, was also among the top earners, bringing in US$7 million, as was American model and Sports Illustrated magazine covergirl Kate Upton, 22, who is a newcomer to the list and rounded out the top five models.

Other newcomers to the list of the 21 highest paid models who earned a combined total of US$142 million include English model Cara Delevingne, 22, and American Karlie Kloss, 22.

The full list can be found at http://www.forbes.com/pictures/emjl45jlde/the-worlds-highest-paid-models

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.