rediff.com
News APP

NewsApp (Free)

Read news as it happens
Download NewsApp

Available on  gplay

Rediff.com  » Getahead » The hottest, highest-paid models in the world

The hottest, highest-paid models in the world

June 1, 2009 15:55 IST

Image: Gisele Bundchen
Photographs: Cover of American Photo magazine

Business magazine Forbes magazine has released it's international list of this year's top-earning models. Which sexy ladies have the deepest pockets? Find out right here!

'The world's top earning model' is based on estimated earnings of models from June 2008 to June 2009. Four Brazilian models have found a place in the rankings.

"(The) modelling industry has been hard-hit by the economic crisis, but the value of the beauties at the top is as strong as ever," the magazine noted.

At Number One: Gisele Bundchen

Brazilian beauty Bundchen has topped the list of top-earning models. At 28, she has earnings to the tune of USD 25 million from numerous campaigns, including those for brands like Versace, True Religion jeans and Dior.

Inputs: PTI

Miss Moneybags: Heidi Klum

Image: Heidi Klum
Photographs: Cover of GQ magazine

Bundchen is followed by 35-year-old Heidi Klum of Germany, with an estimated earning of USD 16 million. The majority of Klum's earnings are driven by her TV and endorsement career. The model has endorsement deals with Diet Coke, Volkswagen, McDonald's and LG, the report said.

Rolling in greenbacks: Kate Moss

Image: Kate Moss
Photographs: Cover of Vogue magazine
Thirty five-year-old icon Kate Moss placed on the third spot with an earning of USD 8.5 million.

Moolah-maker Adriana Lima

Image: Adriana Lima
Photographs: Cover of GQ magazine

Another Brazilian model Adriana Lima has earned USD eight million in the last year and made it to Forbes' list at Number Four.

Doutzen Kroes makes her way up

Image: Doutzen Kroes
Photographs: Cover of Victoria's Secret catalogue
At the fifth position is Dutch looker Doutzen Kroes, the face of cosmetic company L'Oreal, and she raked in USD six million.

Sharing fifth place: Alessandra Ambrosio

Image: Alessandra Ambrosio
Photographs: Cover of Glitter magazine

Twenty eight-year-old Alessandra Ambrosio of Brazil is also ranked fifth alongside Kroes, with her earnings tallying at around USD 6 million.

From rags to riches: Natalia Vodianova

Image: Natalia Vodianova
Photographs: Cover of Vogue magazine

With two models at Number Five, we jump to Number Seven -- Natalia Vodianova, raised in an impoverished family in Russia has cornered the seventh place with earnings to the tune of USD 5.5million.

Wealthy Werbowy

Image: Daria Werbowy
Photographs: Cover of Elle magazine

Polish-born Daria Werbowy, with an annual earning of USD 4.5 million, is the eighth model on the list.

Miranda Kerr lands ninth position

Image: Miranda Kerr
Photographs: Cover of Ralph magazine

Actor Orlando Bloom's girlfriend Miranda Kerr ranked ninth, with an estimated income of USD 3 million.

Counting herself in: Carolyn Murphy

Image: Carolyn Murphy
Photographs: Cover of Sports Illustrated magazine

A little way behind Kerr is American stunner Carolyn Murphy, also with an estimated earning of USD 3 million.

Newest addition: Emanuela De Paula

Image: Emanuela De Paula
Photographs: Carlos Barria/Reuters

And finally, in eleventh position is Emanuela De Paula, who is the newest addition to the list and has an estimated earning of USD 2.5 million.

"...the modelling industry was hard-hit by the economic crisis. Prominent fashion labels cancelled or downgraded their runway shows, leaving models hoping for a break with fewer opportunities."

"Declining revenues at major beauty and retail companies left agents with less leverage to bargain for their clients," Forbes stated.