There are supermodels, and then there is Gisele Bündchen.
After rising to fame in the late ’90s, the Brazilian bombshell became a household name after signing a five-year contract with Victoria’s Secret. Between starring in campaigns for top fashion houses and appearing on countless magazine covers, Bündchen is one of the world’s biggest models and also one of the highest-paid in her field.
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Known for her legendary “horse walk,” Bündchen ushered in a new generation of Brazilian models, paving the way for other Angel models such as Adriana Lima, Alessandra Ambrosio and Lais Ribeiro.
In honor of Bündchen, whose birthday is on Saturday, WWD is reminiscing about some of Bündchen’s greatest achievements.
1997
After failing to audition 42 times, Bündchen made her high fashion runway debut in 1997, walking shirtless on the runway in Alexander McQueen’s spring 1998 show. At the time, the model, who barely spoke English, was only eighteen years old.
“I didn’t know what to do,” she wrote in her 2018 memoir, “Lessons: My Path to a Meaningful Life.” “Mostly, I thought about how disappointed and embarrassed my parents would be. I tried to hold back the tears, but they kept flowing, and the black feathers glued to my eyelashes began to unravel.”
1999
It wasn’t long before Bündchen was landing campaigns for major brands such as Versace, Valentino and Ralph Lauren. In 1999, she was awarded Model of the Year at the VH1/Vogue Fashion Awards.
“I would like to thank everyone who has supported me throughout my career, especially my family and friends,” Bündchen said in her acceptance speech.
2000
Bündchen signed a five-year contract with Victoria’s Secret in 2000, becoming one of the brand’s spokesmodel Angels. That year, she modeled the Red Hot Fantasy Bra on the runway.
Bündchen’s stunning lingerie, valued at $15 million, was adorned with diamonds and rubies. According to Guinness World Records, the Red Hot Fantasy Bra is the most expensive piece of lingerie ever made.
2006
Bündchen began her acting career in 2004’s “Taxi,” but her appearance in “The Devil Wears Prada” has stood the test of time. Her portrayal of Serena, an employee at the fictional Runway magazine, also inspired the now-viral “office siren” aesthetic.
2007
Bündchen’s time at Victoria’s Secret ended in 2007. “For the first five years, I felt comfortable modeling in lingerie, but as time went on, I began to feel less and less comfortable being photographed on the runway wearing just a bikini or a thong,” she wrote in her memoir. “Give me a tail, a cape, wings—please, something to cover me up a little!”
After becoming the face of Dolce & Gabbana’s The One brand in 2006, Bündchen continued to appear in the perfume’s campaigns and attended launch events as its official spokesperson.
2007 also marked the first year that Bündchen was named the world’s highest-paid supermodel. Forbes estimated her net worth at $33 million.
2016
Bündchen announced her retirement from runway modeling in 2015, but when it came time to represent her country at the opening ceremony of the 2016 Rio Olympics, she didn’t want to miss the opportunity.
“This is definitely the longest runway I’ve ever walked and by far the most people watching, so it’s a little nerve-wracking,” she told People at the time. “This is such a special moment for my country, and I’m honored that they invited me to be a part of such a special celebration.”
Bündchen made her final appearance in a plunging gold sequined dress designed by Brazilian designer Alexandre Herchcovitch.
2023
Following her highly publicized divorce from football star Tom Brady, 2023 was considered Bündchen’s fashion comeback. She appeared in campaigns for brands like Louis Vuitton and Jimmy Choo and made her first Met Gala appearance since splitting from Brady.
That summer, she returned to Victoria’s Secret after 16 years, starring alongside former Angels Adriana Lima and Candice Swanepoel in The Icon campaign. “Loving yourself isn’t a selfish act,” Bündchen said in a video teaser for the lingerie brand. “The more I respect myself and my needs, the better I can look for everyone around me.”
Giselle Bündchen’s Runway and Red Carpet Moments: From the Archives [PHOTOS]
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Launch Gallery: Giselle Bündchen’s Runway and Red Carpet Moments: From the Archives [PHOTOS]
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