We All Know Models for Having a 10 Out of 10 on Looks, but Here Are 15 Who Score a 100 Out of 100 for How Much They Bank.
Being a model is one thing, but turning modelling into a lucrative, long-term career is completely different. So how much do models make? Supermodels like Gisele Bündchen, Naomi Campbell, and Kate Moss spent their early days on the runway and have taken their success further to attain enormous personal wealth.
We’ll tell you what may be on the cards for former First Lady, Melania Trump, with some suggesting it may include a return to the catwalk.
Before you make the mistake and begin reading a long article about some of the most beautiful women out there, here’s the video version of this article:
With that in place, let’s get back to the article.
15
Linda Evangelista: $40 Million
Linda Evangelista might not be a house hold name anymore, but she inspires generations of women to be a little sassy when it comes to owning their value in terms of salary negotiations. You see in the 90s she famously declared: “I don’t get out of bed for less than $10,000 a day.”
I guess with that kind of straight forward approach to her rates it won’t surprise you that she has a net worth of $40 million. Now that’s an amount worth taking a day off for!
14
Christie Turlington: $40 Million
Another 90s show stopper, Christie Turlington was as recognisable as Kendall Jenner is today. She has retired from modelling, but in 2019 she made a special runway appearance for the Marc Jacobs autumn/winter ’19 show.
Now in the autumn of her career she is a full-time wife and mom to her actor husband, Edward Burns and their two children and living it up with the wealth she amassed through modelling.
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13
Kendall Jenner: $45 Million
Kendall Jenner is in the shadows because of the billionaire little sister Kylie Jenner’s fame but when it comes to talking big money, Kendall Jenner is doing well financially in her own right. By her 25th birthday she already had $45 million to her name. Her wealth lies in her massive social media following and her blossoming modelling career.
Let’s put all of the limelight on the wonder woman for a while. Find out more about Kendall Jenner: 15 Facts You Didn’t Know About Her.
12
Kate Moss: $70 Million
Kate Moss is one of the most famous models in the world. Just play a game of 30 seconds and say “She’s a model,” and everyone will shout either Kate Moss or Naomi Campbell first.
When Kate the great was first in the limelight at 14 years at JFK Airport her life was about to take off.
She quickly featured in campaigns like Calvin Klein jeans and fragrances, and often topless. These past events were disturbing for Kate though. In recent years, Kate is coming out to reveal how many of her earlier modelling experiences were traumatizing.
How much do models make when they are near the end of their career? Well, now at 41 years old she continues to command huge fees with global brands, and has a net worth of $70 Million already banked.
11
Alessandra Ambrosio: $80 Million
Another well known Victoria’s Secret Angel is Alessandro Ambrosio. She was shining in that role from 2004 to 2017. But that’s not the only title she holds. In 2007 she was named one of People magazine’s “100 Most Beautiful People in the World.” She is known as one of the world’s sexiest women. Forbes named her on their list of highest paid models with an annual income of $6.6 million.
Her appeal is certainly recognised across the board and she has modelled for Armani, Ralph Lauren and Christian Dior.
10
Naomi Campbell: $80 Million
Naomi Campbell is one of the 6 “supers” of the 90s. This was a group of gorgeous supermodels of this generation that the fashion industry and international press couldn’t get enough of. If you could afford her, you could barely find a gap in her back-to-back schedule. Ms Campbell was the belle of the ball.
She began her career at just 15years old, and this British model has been in high demand ever since. Naomi launched the modelling reality show “The Face” which has been franchised all over the world, and has been heavily involved in charity efforts throughout her career. She netted herself $80 million and continues to make appearances and have a strong public profile at 50 years young.
9
Tyra Banks: $90 Million
Another runway queen that bridged the modelling reality TV show world is Tyra Banks. In 1991 during Tyra Banks’s breakout year, she walked in 25 shows!
She quickly got herself Supermodel status and was compared closely to Naomi Campbell. She has had a career packed with TV and film appearances, major runway shows, and even 24 seasons of a popular talk show, “The Tyra Banks Show.” Sometimes, it doesn’t matter how much do models make, because they aren’t doing it for just the money alone. Although she has amassed great wealth for herself to the tune of $90 million, she has also founded TZONE, a charity aimed at building self-esteem and positive body image in young girls.
8
Adriana Lima: $95 Million
Moving from South America to North America, Adriana Lima is another of Brazil’s most famous modelling exports. She also holds the title for “the most valuable Victoria’s Secret Angel” in 2017, and the brands longest-running model from 1999 to 2018.
She entered the international world of modelling by winning the Ford’s “Supermodel of Brazil” competition at 15 years old. Since then, the modelling world’s been her oyster and the brand endorsements have kept coming. She is a Maybelline cosmetics spokesperson, and has featured in Kia Motor’s Super Bowl commercials.
7
Elle Macpherson: $95 Million
Elle Macpherson has one of the most diverse careers on this list. Not only did she appear on Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue cover 5 times in the 1980s, she has also acted in films including big hits like Batman and Robin, The Mirror Has Two Faces and had a lead role in The Edge. She had a recurring role on Friends, and hosted everyone’s favourite sketch show: SNL.
She hosted the UK versions of “Next Top Model”, created a successful series of workout videos, and enjoyed a very successful fashion, swimwear and wellness label and a skincare range called “The Body”, after her own nickname given for her swimsuit covers.
6
Christie Brinkley: $100 Million
Christie Brinkley is another model who appeared in Sports Illustrated Magazine, she is probably one of their most well-known models appearing on 3 back to back covers. But her big break began in 1976 when she became spokesperson for CoverGirl, a relationship that lasted decades. She also appeared in the film “National Lampoon’s Vacation.” And after appearing in Billy Joel’s Uptown Girl Music Video, the two hit it off and got hitched. Such events can impact how much do models make in their initial career.
She has her own skincare line now, and if you look at her at 65 years old her products must work! She was an astute business women, investing in real estate estimated to bring her in $60 million. Overall, she is reportedly worth $100 million.
5
Iman: $100 Million
With the same amount banked as Christie Brinkley, is Somalia-born Iman. She is considered the world’s first true supermodel of colour, joining the industry in the early 80s. She has modelled for Donna Karan, Calvin Klein, and Versace. As well as starting her own makeup company IMAN cosmetics with a collection of make up for women of colour. She has designed clothing, appeared in the film Star Trek 6 and dedicated her time to targeting poverty by supporting charity work in East Africa.
Yves Saint-Laurent described Iman as “his dream woman” because of her tall, dark and well…sh*t hot looks.
4
Heidi Klum: $160 Million
Another 90s Angel to walk the runway for Victoria’s Secret is Heidi Klum, but she got herself a household name by her TV appearances hosting shows like America’s Got Talent and Project Runway.
The fashion industry was wild about her right off the bat, she appeared on covers across the newsstand even beautifying the cover of Time magazine. Like most of the mega super models on this list, she walked for Victoria’s secret and was also an Angel. All of this has earned her a solid income of $160 million.
Now let’s close in on the top 3 Richest Models in the world.
3
Cindy Crawford $400 Million
Forget Blue-eyed blondes, “Cindy Crawford popularised a more sultry brunette with brains, charm, and professionalism to spare” according to designer Michael Kors. Blonde or brunette preferences aside, who can deny the sexiness of her famous beauty spot.
She was an engineering student but had always modelled on the side since a teen. If you’re a teen reading this article, you must be wondering how much do models make when they start at around your age? She first went mega famous with her Pepsi and Clairol campaigns. Her net worth is estimated to be $400 million now.
She shared all the same honours as the other Supers on this list, and now she spends her time focussed on her home décor and furniture business. In 2015 she published an autobiography called “Becoming”. And her daughter Kaia Gerber seems to be following in her mom’s It-Girl footsteps, earning her own mega fame from an early age.
2
Gisele Bündchen $400 Million
Ironically, Gisele Bündchen was eating at a McDonalds when her career was about to begin. Since that fateful day in Brazil the world hasn’t been able to take their eyes off of her, and we didn’t have to because she has appeared on 1,200 magazine covers.
Since 2001 Bündchen was the highest earning model in the world. Signing Victoria’s secret’s biggest contract to date. Something the world knows her for is the “Horse walk”, it sounds terrible but it isn’t. The model walk is a stomping movement by a model lifting her knees high and kicking her knees as she steps. The credit for pioneering and popularising this runway trend goes to Bündchen.
Bundchen took retirement from the catwalk but continues to earn through her fragrance contracts with Chanel and Carolina Herrera and designing shoes for brands.
1
Kathy Ireland: $500 Million
Kathy Ireland isn’t known to most as a household name as model these days. In the 80s and 90s she was among the supermodel elite. She was carrying a stellar career as a model in that time, she was the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model for 13 years, and was also netting 3 covers. Kathy was also on the covers of Vogue, Cosmopolitan, and Forbes to name a few.
She has appeared extensively in reality TV, and hit scripted shows like Melrose Place. As a teenager she was way ahead of the #meToo movement and took matters into her own hands. When a photographer crossed the line, she decked him! You go girl!
Now her wealth pours in from her company Kathy Ireland Worldwide that turns over billions annually. Creating products from toys to jewellery, furniture to media all netting her an impressive fortune of $500 million.
We leave you with her wise words, “beauty comes from the inside.” Always remember that Aluxers.
Question:
What is the best ad campaign you have seen these models in?
