Feature

The world's top 10 supermodels

Gisele Bundchen in a picture posted on her Facebook page.
Gisele Bundchen in a picture posted on her Facebook page.

Supermodel Gisele Bundchen tops the world's highest-paid models list by Forbes once again this year. And the sum she earned - US$47 million (S$58 million) - was way more than any of the others on the list.

Dutch model Doutzen Kroes, Brazilian Adriana Lima and Londoner Kate Moss were tied for the second spot with earnings in the range of US$8 million.

Here's a look at the top 10 in this year's list:

Gisele Bundchen (Brazil), 34

Annual earnings: US$47 million (S$58 million)
Contracts: H&M, Chanel, Pantene hair products & Oral-B and designer Carolina Herrera

Gisele is the world's highest paid model for the eighth year in a row. In fact, she earned more than her football player husband Tom Brady. The year 2013 was perhaps her most rewarding as she won lucrative contracts for several high-profile fashion brands. The mother of two, who celebrated her birthday last month, is also a Goodwill Ambassador of the United Nations Environment Programme. But she denies that she earns as much. "It's sad, because these people who write (the list) do not have my account number! I earn well, but it is not all this talking," she has been quoted in media reports as saying.

Doutzen Kroes (Netherlands), 29

Annual earnings: US$8 million (S$9.95 million)
Contracts: L'Oreal, Victoria's Secret, H&M, Emilio Pucci and Miu Miu, Calvin Klein

The Dutch model who is the face of a steamy new Calvin Klein fragrance ad also has her own line of cashmere sweaters. Doutzen, who is married to DJ and music producer Sunnery James, gave birth to her second child - a daughter - last month. The couple have a three-year-old boy Phyllon, as well.

Adriana Lima (Brazil), 33

Annual earnings: US$8 million (S$9.95 million)
Contracts: Victoria's Secret, Desigual, Maybelline, Veet hair removal

Another millionaire minted by Victoria's Secret, Adriana Lima is the longest-running Angel in the brand's history, first posing for them in 2000. Adriana has two children - Valentina, six, and Sienna, two - with her Serbian basketball player husband Marko Jaric, 35. The couple, however announced their separation in May.

Kate Moss (Britain), 40

Annual earnings: US$7 million (S$8.71 million)
Contracts: Topshop, jeweler David Yurman, Rimmel, Keratase hair products

It been 26 years since the skinny 14-year-old from south London was talent-spotted at JFK airport, but Kate Moss still rules in the list of top supermodels. The Londoner is also a contributing fashion editor at British Vogue and works on design with Topshop. Her 40th birthday earlier this year was marked by an exhibition of pictures taken from photographs throughout her career in London. Married to guitarist Jamie Hince, she has one child.

Kate Upton (US), 22

Annual earnings: US$7 million (S$8.71 million)
Contracts: Bobbi Brown, Sports Illustrated

A newcomer to the highest-earning models list, Kate Upton has been dubbed the prettiest girl in the world by Elle magazine. Her 2014 movie debut, The Other Woman, grossed US$194 million worldwide. There's speculation that the Sports Illustrated model is expecting her first child with baseball player and boyfriend Justin Verlander.

Miranda Kerr (Australia), 31

Annual earnings: US$7 million (S$8.71 million)
Contracts: Wonderbra, Royal Albert

The supermodel has been modelling since she was 13. Besides several deals, she also owns a cosmetic line. She recently separated from actor Orlando Bloom and has one child. Miranda has been linked to Justin Bieber as well.


Liu Wen (China), 26

Annual earnings: US$7 million (S$8.71 million)
Contracts: Victoria's Secret, Estee Lauder, Espirit, H&M, Calvin Klein, La Perla, Tory Burch, Lane Crawford

The first Chinese model to walk Victoria's Secret runway, Liu Wen is also the first Asian on Forbes' list. The daughter of a construction worker was discovered at a model fitting in Beijing in 2007 by Marie Claire International creative director Joseph Carle. She has been in demand since her international debut in 2008.


Alessandra Ambrosio (Brazil), 33

Annual earnings: US$5 million (S$6.22 million)
Contracts: Victoria's Secret, Pinko, H&M

Yet another Victoria's Secret millionaire, Alessandra Ambrosia was born in a small Brazilian town to parents of Italian and Polish descent. She nurtured a desire to be a model from a very young age and enrolled in a modelling school when she was 12. The 33-year-old mother of two is married to millionaire businessman Jamie Mazur and has her own clothing line.


Hilary Rhoda (US), 27

Annual earnings: US$5 million (S$6.22 million)
Contracts: Estee Lauder, Toteme, Sarar, Helmut Lang

The 5' 11" model seldom needs to dress to be noticed, with her height attracting attention, when she steps out. Hilary is best known for her work for the brand Estee Lauder. The American has her mom, Marianne, as her manager.


Natalia Vodianova (Russia), 32

Annual earnings: US$4 million (S$4.97 million)
Contracts: Calvin Klein Euphoria, Guerlain cosmetics, European lingerie maker Etam

The Russian supermodel and mother of four recently resigned a fragrance contract for Calvin Klein Euphoria, for which she first appeared in 2006. Natalia separated from British aristocrat husband Justin Portman, with whom she had three children, and now shares her life with LVMH heir Antoine Arnault.

Source: Forbes, Daily Mail, Telegraph, The Straits Times Archives

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