Upon getting discovered in Sao Paulo by a modeling agent while walking around in a shopping mall in 1994, Giselle’s success was immediate. In 1995, she was selected for a national beauty contest called “Elite Look of the Year” and won second place. A short time later she was labeled one of the highest paid models in Brazil.

Rocking the Runway

At sixteen, Bundchen made her first steps onto the glamorous Milan and Paris fashion week runways. From that point on, it was almost sure that the young Brazilian was going to be the world's next top model. Fashion journalists and top designers were obsessed with her unique walk on the runway – later denoting it “horse walk” – and were impressed by her charismatic charm.

In 1997, Gisele walked in a total of 42 fashion shows during highly anticipated fashion weeks all over the world. A year later she participated in one of Alexander McQueen's most memorable shows called “’Rain’ Ready-To-Wear.” Ever since, was asked to partake in many future projects for top designers and earned worldwide fame and recognition.

Top designers from all fashion capitals wanted Gisele to walk their collections. Giselle walked for top brands like Dolce & Gabbana, Marc Jacobs, Dior, Gianfranco Ferre, Chloé, Valentino, and Missoni among many others.

The Brazilian bombshell landed the covers of many well-known fashion magazines, including French Vogue. By 2000, she appeared on more than 600 magazine covers. Giselle’s $25 million contract with Victoria's Secret signed that year gave her even more credibility in the modeling world. She became one of the sexiest steamy Angels for a consecutive seven seasons.

Ad Star

As part of being one of the most stunning women on earth, many top designers and brands requested Gisele to star on their ad campaigns. She featured as the face of Dior (2003), Louis Vuitton (2006), Versace (2008), Dior (2009), Balenciaga (2011), H&M (2011) and others.

In addition she graced on dozens of ad campaigns for top brands among them Balenciaga (2003), Valentino (2004), Jamie Dornan (2008), Versace (2011) and Dior (2011).

In 2007, she launched her own sandal collection called “Ipanema Gisele Bundchen”. The collection became a worldwide success. Bundchen has also launched her own skincare line in 2010.

Off the Runways

In addition to wooing designers, journalists and photographers on and off the catwalk, Gisele spends a chunk of her life dealing with real estate – a long time hobby of hers. She once said that modeling takes just 40% of her time and the rest is dedicated to purchasing real estate in Sao Paulo, Los Angeles, New York, California, Costa Rica and Santa Monica.

In 2009, she got married to New England Patriots quarterback, Tom Brady. That same year, she gave birth to her first son.