About Esther Canadas
Esther Cañadas was born on March 1, 1977, in Albacete, Spain, to Juan Cañadas, a mechanic, and Carmen García, a homemaker. Raised in a working-class family with an older brother, Miguel, she grew up in the small town of Albacete, dreaming of a career in fashion. At 14, she was scouted by a local modeling agent during a regional beauty contest. She signed with Take 2 Model Management in Madrid and moved to Barcelona at 16 to pursue modeling, leaving school to focus on her career. Cañadas is of Spanish descent, with her family rooted in Spain. She has embraced her Spanish heritage, often highlighting her Mediterranean roots and fiery personality. She is primarily known as Esther Cañadas, with no widely used aliases. In the 1990s, she was sometimes called “The Spanish Sensation” by fashion media for her bold beauty and rapid rise.
Cañadas rose to fame in the mid-1990s as a supermodel, known for her striking features and intense presence. She appeared on over 100 magazine covers, including Vogue (Spanish, Italian, French), Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, Marie Claire, and W. Her breakthrough came with her 1996 Vogue España cover, shot by Steven Meisel. She starred in campaigns for Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, Versace, and DKNY, and was a Victoria’s Secret model from 1997 to 2000, appearing in catalogs and the 1998 and 1999 fashion shows, though not as a contracted Angel. She walked runways for Chanel, Alexander McQueen, and Jean Paul Gaultier. Notable moments include her 1997 Vogue Italia cover with Linda Evangelista and her 1998 DKNY campaign with Mark Wahlberg. Cañadas retired from modeling in the early 2000s but returned briefly, appearing in Vogue España (2020) and Zara’s 2023 campaign.
Cañadas signed with Take 2 Model Management in 1993, later working with Elite Model Management and Women Management. She maintained ties with Elite during her peak. Her editorial work includes Vogue (multiple editions), Harper’s Bazaar, W, Elle, Allure, and Cosmopolitan. A muse for photographers like Meisel, Richard Avedon, and Mario Testino, she embodied 1990s bold glamour. Her work was featured in the 2009 Metropolitan Museum of Art’s The Model as Muse exhibition.
At 5’10” with blonde hair (often dyed) and blue eyes, Cañadas’s measurements were approximately 34"-24"-34" during her peak, with a 34B bra size. Known for her sharp cheekbones, full lips, and piercing gaze, she has not confirmed cosmetic surgeries, with her look attributed to natural beauty and minimal upkeep. She has no known tattoos or piercings.
Cañadas’s appeal lies in her dramatic beauty and fiery charisma. Fans and designers, like Domenico Dolce, praised her as “a Mediterranean fire” for her intense energy and versatility. Her angular features, sultry expression, and confident stride are often highlighted, with her Spanish passion setting her apart.
Her net worth is estimated at $5 million, earned through modeling, endorsements (DKNY, Chloé), and her Victoria’s Secret work. She was a top-earning model in the late 1990s, but her early retirement and limited ventures post-modeling moderated her wealth.
Cañadas faced minor controversies, primarily tied to her high-profile relationships and brief retirement in 2001, which surprised the industry. Her short-lived marriages drew tabloid attention, but she avoided major scandals. Her outspoken personality occasionally sparked debate, but she maintained a professional image.
Her acting roles include The Thomas Crown Affair (1999, as Anna Knudsen) and Spanish TV series Manos a la obra (2000, guest role). She did not appear in music videos, focusing on modeling and select acting. Cañadas had limited TV appearances, featuring in The Super Models (2023, docuseries, as a guest) and Spanish talk shows like El Hormiguero (2010). She appeared in fashion segments on E! News (1990s) and Corazón (Spanish TV, 2000s), discussing her career.
Cañadas was married to model Mark Vanderloo from 1999 to 2000 and to Formula 1 driver Sete Gibernau from 2004 to 2005. She married Spanish hotelier Vikram Chatwal in 2014, and they have a daughter, Inés (born 2015), but divorced in 2016. She lives in Madrid, raising her daughter and keeping her personal life private.
Cañadas’s legacy lies in her role as a 1990s supermodel, where her striking features perhaps did not fall into traditional beauty but made her memorable in high fashion. Her Victoria’s Secret work and high-fashion campaigns made her a standout, influencing models like Adriana Sklenarikova. Her brief but impactful career and return to modeling later in life highlight her resilience. She supports Spanish charities, including AECC (cancer research), reflecting her personal values.
As of 2025, Cañadas models occasionally, appearing in campaigns for Spanish brands and editorials like Elle España. She lives privately in Madrid, focusing on raising her daughter and supporting local fashion initiatives. Her rare public appearances maintain her status as a nostalgic figure in fashion.
