Adriana Lima

Biography

Adriana Lima was born on June 12, 1981, in Salvador, Brazil. She started her modeling career at age 15 after winning a modeling contest, and soon signed with Elite Model Management. Lima moved to New York City in the late 1990s to explore international modeling. Her big break came with her work for Victoria's Secret, debuting in their Fashion Show in 1999 and becoming an Angel in 2000. Lima was the longest-serving Victoria's Secret Angel, holding this title for 18 years until she left in 2018. She participated in every Victoria's Secret Fashion Show from 1999 to 2018, except for the 2009 show when she was pregnant. Her association with the brand turned her into one of the most well-known faces in fashion and solidified her status as a global supermodel. Lima consistently ranked among the world's top-paid models, with her earnings reaching $10.5 million in 2016, according to Forbes, making her the second highest-earning model that year. She also found success beyond Victoria's Secret with deals with major brands like Maybelline, Puma, Chopard, and IWC watches. Her presence in high-profile advertising, especially her Super Bowl commercials for Kia Motors, further boosted her fame. Lima married Serbian basketball player Marko Jarić in 2009, and they had two daughters before divorcing in 2016. She later welcomed a third daughter in 2018. Ranked as a "Legend" by models.com, Lima remains active in fashion and continues to be one of the most influential models of her generation.