Top 10 Highest-Paid Female Models in the World

Mixi August 31, 2021 | 08:43

Modelling is a tough industry that keeps the people involved on their toes, yet it's demanding and rewarding. Check out the top 10 highest-paid female models in the world right below!

Illustrated picture. Photo: Mixi's

Models are gorgeous and talented with lots of other roles such as singers and actresses. Modeling is a difficult enterprise that keeps the people involved on their feet. However, it can be highly worthwhile too. If one is capable of seizing sufficient exposure and a few great deals, the enterprise will make you great wealth. There are even rags-to-riches stories in this enterprise.

The List of 10 Highest-Paid Female Models in the World

1. Adriana Lima – $85 million

2. Kendall Jenner – $56 million

3. Chrissy Teigen: $39 million

4. Gisele Bundchen: $35 million

5. Gigi Hadid – $34 million

6. Rosie Huntington-Whitely: $32 million

7. Liu Wen – $31 million

8. Cara Delevingne: $31 million

9. Alessandra Ambrosio – $30 million

10. Joan Smalls – $28 million

Who are the Highest-Paid Female Models in the World?

1. Adriana Lima – $85 million

Photo: POPSUGAR Middle East

Lima has appeared on several television ads for the brand, including the praised and criticized “Angel in Venice” commercial of 2003 with Bob Dylan. 2008 continued with Lima hosting the What Is Sexy? program for the E! Entertainment Network and a July tour for the BioFit Uplift Bra launch. She was also featured in November’s Miracle Bra relaunch. Topping the year off, Lima wore the “Fantasy Bra” for the 2008 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. She has earned over 13 million dollars between 2019 – 2020

The bra, created by American jewelry designer Martin Katz, was set with 3,575 black diamonds, 117 certified 1 carat (200 mg) white round diamonds, 34 rubies, and two black diamond drops totaling 100 carats (20 g). Valued at over $5 million, the bra carried more than 1,500 carats (300 g)

2. Kendall Jenner – $56 million

Photo: Stern

Partnering with Victoria’s Secret photographer Russell James, Jenner appeared in publications like Kurv, Miss Vogue Australia, and Harper’s Bazaar Arabia. She also featured in James’ book launches for “Nomad Two Worlds: Australia” in Sydney and Los Angeles. With this partnership, Jenner shifted her work in the direction of high fashion and signed with The Society Management in November 2013. She earned up to 20 million dollars between 2019-2020. She is not just topping the list of the highest-paid Victoria’s Secret models 2020 but topping the list of the highest-paid models in the world too according to Forbes.

3. Chrissy Teigen: $39 million

Photo: Yahoo

Thanks to her giant social media presence, the former Sports Illustrated cover star has branched out beyond modeling into a line of cookware, a second cookbook and hosting television show Lip Sync Battle.

Chrissy Teigen started modeling as a teenager, eventually landing on the cover of Sports Illustrated’s swimsuit issue in 2010. She became an in-demand television personality, serving as host of the reality show Model Employee before finding her groove as a color commentator on the long-running Lip Sync Battle. Also a popular figure on Twitter with more than 12 million followers, Teigen has two children with husband John Legend.

4. Gisele Bundchen: $35 million

Photo: Harper's Bazaar Vietnam

Although retired, Gisele Bundchen once again reigns top amongst the highest paid models. All hail the reigning Queen of wealthy supermodels. For over ten years Gisele has presided over the top of the list.

Gisele Caroline Bündchen is a model, actress, and producer from Brazil. Bündchen began her rise as a model in the 90s. By 1999, she is credited with ending the “heroin chic” era of modelling. Sometimes called the only remaining true supermodel today. Bündchen pioneered the “horse walk” and was part of Victoria’s Secret Angels from 2000 to mid-2007. As an actor she has played a supporting role in Taxi (2004) another supporting role in The Devil Wears Prada (2006). Bündchen has for long been associated with many charities like; Doctors without Borders and Save the Children, Red Cross.

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5. Gigi Hadid – $34 million

Photo: InStyle

In November 2018, she announced her first collaboration with Reebok designing sneakers for the brand, starting with limited release on December 7 and the full collection to be released later in February 2019. She also returned to Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show for the third time in the same month. In early 2019, she appeared on more international Vogue covers, including Vogue Czechoslovakia, Vogue Arabia, and Vogue Hong Kong In late January 2019, Hadid was sued by the independent photo agency business Xclusive for sharing an October 2018 photo of herself without the photographer’s permission.

6. Rosie Huntington-Whitely: $32 million

Photo: Harper's Bazaar

One of the most glamorous English model, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley comes at number 4 in our list. Earning a cool $32 million is home-grown talent. A royalty cut her own series of lingerie, make-up and fragrances lines for department store Marks & Spencers account for the majority newcomer, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. Follow her on Instagram @rosiehw.

7. Liu Wen – $31 million

Photo: NYT

The New York Times in 2012 published a photo of Wen on the cover of the Style “T” Magazine’s Travel Issue. In 2013, Wen was listed on the Forbes magazine as being among the highest-paid supermodels globally. In 2014, the supermodel was also on Forbes’ list, with the report mentioned that the model had earned approximately $7 million in 2013 alone from her modeling contracts. Moreover, the article also indicated that Wen had a strong presence on social media, with over 2.7 million followers on Instagram and 18 million followers on Weibo.

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8. Cara Delevingne: $31 million

Photo: ELLE

Perhaps something of a surprise. At number 6 of the 10 highest paid models of 2021 is Cara Jocelyn Delevingne. She’s currently focusing on her film work, but, still immensely popular in the modeling industry. With a dedicated Instagram following of 34 million, making her one of the most popular, if not the biggest earner this year.

Delevingne is a fashion supermodel, actress, and singer. She made her modeling debut at age ten then in 2009, after leaving school, Delevingne signed with Storm Model Management. Delevingne won the “Model of the Year” twice in 2012 and 2014 at the British Fashion Awards. Cara has appeared in shows for houses like Dolce & Gabbana, Burberry, Mulberry, and Jason Wu. She has acted in films like Anna Karenina (2012), Paper Towns (2015), and Suicide Squad (2016). Among AskMen’s ‘Most Desirable Women’, Delevingne ranked 13th.

9. Alessandra Ambrosio – $30 million

Photo: Mandatory

The 2011 show saw her wearing the heaviest wings (30 lb, 14 kg) ever made for the show while pregnant with her second child. In 2012, Ambrosio was chosen to wear the “Fantasy Bra”. The Floral Fantasy Bra, crafted by London Jewellers featured amethysts, rubies, sapphires and diamonds all set in rose and yellow gold and adorned with more than 5,200 precious stones. In 2014, she wore the Dream Fantasy Bra, alongside her fellow angel Adriana Lima. Both of the bras cost $2.5 million each. In 2012, she was ranked number six on Forbes list of the highest-paid models, estimated to have earned $6.6 million in one year

10. Joan Smalls – $28 million

Photo: Bisous, Brittany

Smalls began modeling for Victoria’s Secret and has appeared in their 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. She has appeared in editorials for several international editions of Vogue, Harpers Bazaar, i-D, GQ, Dazed & Confused, Elle, Industrie, Interview, American and Spanish V, Glamour and W. In 2013, she entered Forbes magazine’s “World’s Highest-Paid Models” list for the first time, ranking at number eight with over $3 million in earnings