The world of modeling is very interesting. It is an international industry and is very cut throat, so they say. There are hundreds to thousands of models who compete to get to walk at the top fashion shows and wear the best design by the most famous designers. There is a lot of money in the modeling world and each person has a price tag. This list has the richest models to ever walk the runway.
Kathy Ireland
Kathy Ireland was born in Glendale, Claifornia is considered the weathliest model to ever do it. She was discovered and began modeling at the age of 16 under Elite Model Managgement. She was a poplar supermodel in the 80s and 90s appearing in 13 consecutive swimsuit issues for Sports Illustrated. After her career as a model she started a brand marketing company, Kathy Ireland Worldwide (kiWW). Her net worth is $352 million.
Gisele Bundchen
Hailing from Tres de Maio, Brazil, Gisele Bundchen originally wanted to be a professional volleyball player. At the age of 13 she was discovered by a modeling adency. She really launched her modeling career when she was 16 and modeled at the 1996 New York Fashion week. Gisele has worked with designers Versace, Ralph Lauren, Louis Vuitton, Dolce & Gabbana, Michael Kors, Christian Dior and Victoria’s Secret. That is only some if her achievements that give her a net worth of $320 million.
Miranda Kerr
Miranda Kerr began her modeling career after winning the “Dolly” and Impulse model competition in 1997, at 13 years old. She then went to sign with Chic Management and appeared in beach wear ads. Later she moved from Sydney, Australia to New York where she became the face of Maybelline New York cosmetics. Kerr has appeared in Elle magazine, and has modeled for Levi’s, L.A.M.B., Betsey Johnson, Neiman Marcus, and Roberto Cavalli. Miranda Kerr is currently worth $35 million.
Adriana Lima
Adriana Lima is form Salvador, Bahia, Brazil and at the age of 15 she won first place in Ford’s “Supermodel of Brazil” competition. She then signed with Elite Model Management in New York. Lima’s resume includes names like Vera Wang, Giorgio Armani, Guess, Mossimo, and BCBG. She is most known for being a Victoria Secret Angel. Adriana Lima’s net worth is $65 million.
Kate Moss
British model Kate Moss is probably one of the most known models on this list. She was discovered in JFK airport when she was 14 years old. Moss has been featured in campaign ads for Gucci, Calvin Klien and Chanel. Outside of modeling she has released a clothing line, four fragrances, and a handbag collection. Kate Moss’ net worth clocks in at $75 million.
Liu Wen
Born in Yongzhou, Hunan, China; Liu Wen was urged to model by her mother. She entered the New Silk Road World Modeling Contest and lost the competition, but won the attention of multiple modeling agencies. Soon after she began working, modeling for Karl Lagerfeld, and Viktor and Rolf. It wasn’t long before she was requested internationally. She is the first Asian model to walk for Victoria’s Secret. Liu Wen’s net worth is $25 million.
Hilary Rhoda
Hilary Rhoda was discovered at a ProScout event in Washington, D.C., and chose to be represented by Women Model Management. She is from Chevy Chase, Marland where she graduated for the Academy of the Holy Cross. She’s most famous for her work with Estee Lauder and appearing in Sports illustrator swimsuit issues. Rhoda has appeared in ads for a long list of designers, Valentino, Dolce & Gabbana, Givenchy, Donna Karan, Gucci, Blumarine, and Ralph Lauren to name a few. Hilary Rhoda comes in at $10 million.
Carolyn Murphy
Carolyn Murphy has risen to stardom as the professional face of the cosmetics giant Estee Lauder, with her image appearing in ads all over the world. Carolyn was 16 when her mother enrolled her in modeling school in Florida where she began working locally. While attending the University of Virginia she continued modeling part-time going to Japan and Paris during her breaks. Carolyn has appeared in ads for Versace and Tiffany & Co. Her net worth is $17 million.
Joan Smalls
Joan Smalls began modeling when she moved from Puerto Rico to Queens, New York with her aunt. She soon signed with Elite Model Management. Joan has walked on the run way for an extensive list of designers including Oscar de la Renta, Sophie Theallet, Brian Reyes, Catherine Malandrino and Jean Paul Gaultier. She even can be seen in a few music videos; Ricky Martin’s “It’s Alright”. Joan Smalls’ net worth is $9 million.
Candice Swanepoel
Candice Swanepoel was born in Mooi River, Natal Province, South Africa. She was discovered by a model scout at a flea market in Durban, South Africa when she was 15. Candice is best known for her work with Victoria’s Secret. She has appeared on the cover of Elle, Vogue, and Cosmopolitan. She received honors like being No. 1 in 2014 Maxim’s “Hot 100 List”, and being chosen to wear the “Fantasy Bra” in the 2013 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. Candice Swanepoel’s net worth is $16 million.
Lara Stone
At the age of 15 Lara Stone competed in the Elite Model Look competition. She did not win but impressed Elite executives enough to get a contract with Eilite Modeling Agency. The Dutch model was convinced by her mother to go to Paris pursue modeling after getting expelled form school. Things didn’t work out in Paris but after signing with IMG things picked up. Ricardo Tisci chose her to open Givenchy’s Autumn/Winter 2006 haute couture show, which lead to more work with Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Lanvin, Miu Miu, Fendi and lot more designers. Lara Stone is worth $4 million.
Linda Evangelista
Linda Evangelista was discovered by an Elite Model Management agent during a Miss Teen Niagara beauty pageant. She moved to New York and then Paris where she worked with photographer Peter Lindbergh, who encouraged her to consider a short hair cut. That short haircut became her signature look. She holds the record for most Vogue Italia covers. Evangelista has modeled for everyone worth modeling for making her net worth $18 million.
Christy Turlington
Christy Turlington is an American model best known as the face of Calvin Klein from 1987 to 2007. From Walnut Creek, California, Christy was discovered by a local photographer while riding horses in Miami. After turning 18 and graduating high school, she moved to New York City to model full-time. She has appeared on over 500 magazine covers and has been featured in several professional photo books. Christy Turlington’s net worth is $18 million.
Milla Javovich
Milla Javovich is a woman of many talents. An actress, singer and fashion designer are titles that she bares. Jovovich began modeling at the age of 10 signing with the Prima Modeling Agency. She has appeared as a model in over 100 magazines including Seventeen, Glamour, Vogue and Cosmo. She has also done advertising campaigns for companies such as The Gap, Calvin Klein, Revlon, Christian Dior and many others. Milla Javovich is worth $36 million.
Claudia Schiffer
Claudia Schiffer originally found success in the modeling industry due to her uncanny resemblance to actress Brigitte Bardot. She then quickly attained supermodel status when she became the face of Chanel, and became a worldwide superstar in campaigns for Guess? Jeans. Schiffer also dabbled in the world of film, making her big-screen debut in Richie Rich, and has made cameos in Zoolander and Love, Actually. Claudia Schiffer’s net worth is $40 million.
Elle Macpherson
Elle Macpherson is an Australian businesswoman, television host, model, and actress. She began modeling as a way to pay for law school. She has graced the covers of Cosmopolitan, Elle, GQ, Harper’s Bazaar and Vogue. Macpherson appeared in every issue of Elle for six straight years. She is the record holder for the most number of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit covers with five. She is worth $45 million.
Naomi Campbell
Naomi Campbell is probably the most controversial models ever. Naomi Campbell was discovered when she was 15-years old, and quickly became one of the world’s top three models of the late 80s and 90s. Naomi Campbell has been on the cover of more than 500 magazines. Outside of modeling Naomi was accused of assault ten times, acting out against employees and a police officer. That still doesn’t take away from the fact that she is worth $48 million.
- walks the runaway during the 2008 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show at the Fontainebleau on November 15, 2008 in Miami Beach, Florida.
Heidi Klum
Heidi Klum is another world famous model that wears many professional hats. To some, she is the angel of Victoria Secret Angels. She began modeling at 19 when she won a contract in a modeling contest in Germany. She has appeared on the covers of Vogue and Elle as well as in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue. She is currently the host, judge and executive producer for Project Runway. Heidi’s net worth is $70 million.
Christie Brinkley
After graduating high school, Chrstie Brinkley went to Paris to study art. There she was discovered by photographer Errol Sawyer in a post office. The photos he took of her landed her work with Elite Modeling Agency. As much of a model she is, Christie has a knack for real estate. Both professions combined give her a net worth of $80 million.
Tyra Banks
Tyra Banks is most famous for her ground breaking show America’s Next Top Model. Tyra Banks began her modeling career while she was still in high school. She is the first African-American model to appear on the covers of Sport Illustrated’s Swimsuit Issue and GQ Magazine. Between hosting and producing television shows, modeling writing books and more, Tyra Banks has a net worth of $90 million.
Cindy Crawford
Cindy Crawford has a net worth of $100 million dollars and here’s why. At the age of 17 she was signed to Elite Modeling Agency in Chicago. After high school she attended Northwestern University for a semester before dropping out to pursue a modeling career. After dominating the modeling industry in the 80s and 90s, she created a line of beauty products called Meaningful Beauty. She also created a line of home furnishings for J.C. Penny called Cindy Crawford Home Collection.
Kate Upton
Kate Upton has become the girl next door with her looks and awesome body. Before modeling she was a competitive horseback rider, winning numerous championships while competing at the national level, including five American Paint Horse Under-13 Championships and one 14-18 Championship. She was signed by Elite Model Management at a casting call in Miami in 2008, and went to sign with IMG in New York later. She has modeled for multiple campaigns and designers, including Garage, Dooney & Bourke, Beach Bunny, and Victoria’s Secret. She is most known for her appearances in the swim suit issues for Sports Illustrated. Kate Upton’s net worth is $20 million.
Doutzen Kroes
Dutch model and actress, Doutzen Kroes’ modeling career began when she applied to Paparazzi Model Management in the Netherlands. The agency seen potential in her and sent the self-proclaimed “tomboy” to New York. There she continuosly worked as a Victoria Secret model and eventually became a Victory Secret Angel. She replaced Christy Turlington as the spokesperson for Calvin Klein’s Eternity perfume. Kroes’ net worth is #13 million.
Alessandra Ambrosio
Best known for her modeling work for Victoria’s Secret, Alessandra Ambrosio has been modeling since the age of 12. She was selected by Victoria’s Secret to be the face of their ‘Pink’ line in 2004. Alessandra Ambrosio is often cited by the popular media as one of the world’s sexiest women. She is worth $45 million.
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