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Home / Lifestyle

In the glam modelling world, who's the richest of them all?

Herald online
31 Aug, 2016 04:38 AM4 mins to read

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Brazilian model Gisele is worth a whopping 30.5 million, thanks to a range of glamorous endorsement deals. Photo / Getty

Brazilian model Gisele is worth a whopping 30.5 million, thanks to a range of glamorous endorsement deals. Photo / Getty

While the younger stars dominate social media, 36-year-old supermodel Gisele Bundchen has proved she is still the queen of the catwalk.

Raking in a whopping $30.5 million in the last year, she's far ahead of her fellow models in terms of salary - despite a 30 per cent drop in earnings from the 44 million haul she has earned in previous years.

According to the Daily Mail, the Forbes rich list has revealed Giselle earns almost three times more than the ever-popular Kendall Jenner, who took home a cool 10 million in the year from June 2015.

Also making an appearance on the Forbes model rich list were Gigi Hadia, Cara Deleivingne, and Karlie Kloss.

Here's a breakdown of the power rankings:

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1. Gisele Bundchen

She may have seen a downturn in earnings, but the leggy Brazillian model and actress is still far and away the wealthiest model in town.

She pulls in the dollars thanks to a range of deals with top fashion houses including Chanel, Carolina Herrera, plus contracts with lingerie, haircare and skincare brands.

The model made her first appearance on the cover of British Vogue in 1998, and has been a feature on the model rich-list since 2004.

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Model Gisele Bundchen first appeared on the cover of British Vogue in 1998. Photo / Getty
Model Gisele Bundchen first appeared on the cover of British Vogue in 1998. Photo / Getty

She's married to American footballer Tom Brady, and has two children.

2. Adriana Lima

She's perhaps not as well-known as some of the others, but Brazilian model Adriana has earned the crown of being the longest-serving Victoria's Secret 'angel', since taking to the catwalk for the lingerie brand in 2000.

Adriana is the longest-serving Victoria's Secret 'angel'. Photo / Getty
Adriana is the longest-serving Victoria's Secret 'angel'. Photo / Getty

As well as lingerie, she also has endorsement deals with Maybelline cosmetics, Vogue Eyewear, and IWC watches.

She has two children, and was formerly married to NBA player Marko Jarić.

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3. Kendall Jenner

The Kardashian's younger sister, Kendall has proved she is more than a reality TV star.

She took home a cool $10 million in the year from June 2015, meaning her salary has jumped up 150 per cent from the year previously.

Kendall Jenner earns an impressive $10 million annual salary. Photo / Getty
Kendall Jenner earns an impressive $10 million annual salary. Photo / Getty

Her impressive pay increase is thanks to her savvy use of social media, and a lucrative deal with cosmetic giant Estee Lauder.

3. Karlie Kloss

Karlie pulled in the dollars from a deal with fashion house Caroline Herrera. She also topped up her salary as the new face of Swarovski replacing another former Victoria's Secret alum, Miranda Kerr.

Part of Taylor Swift's girl 'squad' 24-year-old Karlie is the new face of Swarovski. Photo / Getty
Part of Taylor Swift's girl 'squad' 24-year-old Karlie is the new face of Swarovski. Photo / Getty

Part of Taylor Swift's 'squad', the 24-year-old is also keen on getting young girls interested in coding, partnering with the Flatiron School to create the Kode with Karlie Scholarship.

5. Gigi Hadid

Taking her place among the top earners thanks to her links with Maybelline and Tommy, Evian, BMW and Topshop, Gigi started modelling when she was only two years old.

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Gigi Hadid has been modelling since she was two years old. Photo / Getty
Gigi Hadid has been modelling since she was two years old. Photo / Getty

She rose to fame after appearing on the reality TV show, The Real Housewiwes of Beverly Hills, while her mum, Yolanda, starred as one of the housewives.

5. Rosie Huntington-Whiteley

The British model, 29, is estimated to be worth $9 millionUSD.

British model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley with her partner, actor Jason Statham. Photo / Getty
British model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley with her partner, actor Jason Statham. Photo / Getty

Rosie launched her Autograph lingerie range with British department store M&S in 2012, and the range has since expanded to include a fragrance, sports wear and make-up.

7. Cara Delevingne

While she doesn't appear that much on the catwalk anymore, Cara's deals with YSL Beauty, Burberry and Tag Heur have helped keep her in the top 10.

Cara Delevingne has recently branched out into acting. Photo / Getty
Cara Delevingne has recently branched out into acting. Photo / Getty

The Brit, 24, has appeared in three films so far this year - including Suicide Squad - with two more scheduled for release.

8. Candice Swanepoel

The 27-year-old model was first "discovered" at a flea market in Durban, South Africa, when she was 15.

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Candice got involved in the modelling world after being discovered at a flea market in South Africa. Photo / Getty
Candice got involved in the modelling world after being discovered at a flea market in South Africa. Photo / Getty

Candice, who is expecting her first child with her model fiance, made her first appearance on the list back in 2012.

8. Liu Wen

The first Asian model to make the Forbes list back in 2013, Liu keeps a place in the top 10 this year.

Model Liu Wen has lucrative deals with Estee Lauder and La Perla. Photo / Getty
Model Liu Wen has lucrative deals with Estee Lauder and La Perla. Photo / Getty

Born in south-east China, the 28-year-old is now based in New York, and has deals with Estee Lauder and La Perla.

10. MIranda Kerr

Australian-born Miranda first rose to fame as a Victoria's Secret model in 2012, having won her first modelling competition in 1997 aged 13.

Australian model Miranda Kerr won her first modelling competition when she was just 13. Photo / Getty
Australian model Miranda Kerr won her first modelling competition when she was just 13. Photo / Getty

Kerr, who has a son with actor Orlando Bloom, recently announced her engagement to billionaire Snapchat co-founder Evan Spiegel.

2016's highest paid models (in US dollars)

1. Gisele Bündchen $30.5 million
2. Adriana Lima $10.5 million
3. Kendall Jenner $10 million
3. Karlie Kloss $10 million
5. Gigi Hadid $9 million
5. Rosie Huntington-Whiteley $9 million
7.Cara Delevingne $8.5 million
8. Candice Swanepoel $7 million
8. Liu Wen $7 million
10. Miranda Kerr $6 million

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-nzherald.co.nz

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