Gisele Bündchen

About Gisele Bündchen

Gisele Caroline Bündchen was born on July 20, 1980, in Horizontina, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, to Vânia, a bank clerk, and Valdir Bündchen, a sociologist. Raised in a middle-class family with five sisters—Raquel, Graziela, Gabriela, Rafaela, and her fraternal twin, Patrícia—she grew up in a small town with German-Brazilian roots. At 14, she was scouted by Elite Model Management at a São Paulo shopping mall during a school trip. Initially hesitant, she began modeling in 1995, moving to São Paulo and later New York. Bündchen is of German-Brazilian descent, with her family tracing roots to German immigrants in Brazil. She is also a U.S. citizen. She is primarily known as Gisele Bündchen, with no widely used aliases. Nicknamed “The Body” by the media for her athletic physique, she has been celebrated for redefining model standards. She is one of three models with the "The Body" nickname along with Elle MacPherson and Heidi Klum.

Bündchen rose to fame in the late 1990s, ushering in the “Brazilian Bombshell” era of models from 2000-2010 that also featured Adriana Lima, Alessandra Ambrosio, Ana Beatriz Barros, Isabeli Fontana, Izabel Goulart, Caroline Trentini, Raquel Zimmermann, Michelle Alves, Fernanda Tavares, Caroline Ribeiro, Lais Ribeiro, Raica Oliveira, Flavia de Oliveira and Emanuela de Paula. She appeared on over 2,000 magazine covers, including Vogue (U.S., Brazilian, French), Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, W, and Rolling Stone, which dubbed her “The Most Beautiful Girl in the World” in 2000. Her 1998 Alexander McQueen runway show, “The Rain,” marked her breakthrough. She starred in campaigns for Dolce & Gabbana, Versace, and Chanel, and was a Victoria’s Secret Angel from 2000 to 2007, wearing the $15 million Red Hot Fantasy Bra in 2000 and the Sexy Splendor Fantasy Bra in 2005. She walked runways for Balenciaga, Givenchy, and Dior. Notable moments include her 1999 Vogue cover, shot by Steven Meisel, and her 2018 memoir, Lessons. Bündchen semi-retired in 2015 but continues modeling, appearing in Vogue Brazil (2024) and Balmain’s 2025 campaign.

Bündchen signed with Elite Model Management in Brazil, later joining IMG Models in New York. She has worked with Women Management and other global agencies, maintaining strong industry ties. Her editorial work includes Vogue (multiple editions), Harper’s Bazaar, W, Elle, i-D, and Allure. A muse for photographers like Annie Leibovitz and Mario Testino, she blended commercial and high-fashion appeal. Her work was featured in the 2015 Vogue exhibition, Vogue 100: A Century of Style.

Bündchen has a strong social media presence, with over 22 million Instagram followers (@gisele). She shares wellness tips, family moments, and environmental advocacy, promoting her Gisele Bündchen Wellness brand and engaging fans with her grounded persona.

At 5’11” with blonde hair and blue-green eyes, Bündchen’s measurements were approximately 34"-24"-34" during her peak, with a 34C bra size. Known for her toned physique, long legs, and natural glow, she has denied cosmetic surgeries, emphasizing yoga and healthy living. She has a small star tattoo on her wrist and ear piercings.

Bündchen’s appeal lies in her radiant vitality and approachable elegance. Fans and designers, like Karl Lagerfeld, praise her as “a phenomenon” for her versatility and professionalism. Her athletic build, sun-kissed skin, and confident stride are often highlighted, with her wholesome, natural beauty setting her apart.

Her net worth is estimated at $400 million, earned through modeling, endorsements (Chanel, H&M, Carolina Herrera), her Ipanema sandal line (sold for $1 billion in 2018), and real estate investments. She was Forbes’ highest-paid model from 2002 to 2017, earning up to $47 million annually at her peak.

Bündchen faced minor controversies, including criticism for her 2011 H&M campaign featuring digitally altered images and a 2018 backlash for comments on younger models’ work ethic, which she clarified. Her environmental advocacy occasionally draws scrutiny from critics of celebrity activism, but she remains respected.

Her acting roles include Taxi (2004, as Vanessa) and The Devil Wears Prada (2006, as Serena). She appeared in music videos, including Lenny Kravitz’s Again (2000) and her own wellness-focused Vivo Rio campaign (2020). Bündchen appeared on TV in The Super Models (2023, docuseries, as a guest), Gisele & the Green Team (2010–2011, animated series), and as a guest on The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, and Late Night with Seth Meyers, discussing modeling, wellness, and philanthropy. She featured in Years of Living Dangerously (2016), addressing climate change.

Bündchen dated actor Leonardo DiCaprio (2000–2005) and married NFL quarterback Tom Brady in 2009. They have two children, Benjamin (born 2009) and Vivian (born 2012), and divorced in 2022, maintaining co-parenting in Miami. She briefly dated jiu-jitsu instructor Joaquim Valente in 2023. Bündchen prioritizes her children’s privacy and her wellness routine.

Bündchen’s legacy lies in her dominance as a supermodel and her pivot to wellness and environmental advocacy. She is often credited for bringing back a more busty and feminine model which as swung away from the heroin chic and androgynous movements of the 1990s. Her Victoria’s Secret tenure and high-fashion work made her a global icon, influencing models like Adriana Lima. She founded the Luz Foundation, supporting women’s empowerment, and works with the Brazil Foundation and UN Environment Programme, planting over 40,000 trees. Her memoir, Lessons, inspired wellness trends.

As of 2025, Bündchen models selectively, appearing in campaigns for Louis Vuitton and Arezzo. She promotes her wellness brand, Gisele Bündchen Nutrition, and cookbook, Nourish (2024), via Instagram. She focuses on raising her children, environmental causes, and yoga, maintaining her status as a multifaceted icon.

As of May 2025, Gisele has amassed 23.0 million followers on Instagram and 1.8 million followers on her TikTok platform.