About Vendela Kirsebom
Vendela Maria Kirsebom was born on January 12, 1967, in Stockholm, Sweden, to Turid Kirsebom, a Norwegian schoolteacher, and Ahmet Özkal, a Turkish born Swedish businessman. Raised in a middle-class family with a younger brother, she grew up in Stockholm, splitting time between Sweden and Norway due to her parents’ heritage. At 13, she was scouted by a modeling agent at a Stockholm mall but waited until 18 to pursue modeling seriously. After graduating high school, she signed with Elite Model Management in 1985 and moved to Paris, later settling in New York. Kirsebom is of Norwegian and Turkish descent, a blend she has embraced, often citing her Scandinavian roots and multicultural background as shaping her poised yet approachable persona. Although she did take her mother's Norwegian last name for her modeling career, since a Turkish name would be unusual for a Scandinavian. She is primarily known as Vendela Kirsebom, though professionally credited as Vendela. In the 1990s, she was sometimes called “The Nordic Angel” by fashion media for her classic Scandinavian beauty and Victoria’s Secret work.
Kirsebom rose to fame in the late 1980s and 1990s as a supermodel, known for her elegant features and Nordic beauty. She appeared on over 150 magazine covers, including Vogue (Scandinavian, U.S.), Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, Cosmopolitan, and Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, where she debuted in 1993 and landed the cover in 1993, shot in Norway. Her breakthrough came with her 1988 Elle Sweden cover, shot by Gilles Bensimon. She starred in campaigns for Revlon, Elizabeth Arden, and L’Oréal, and was a Victoria’s Secret Angel from 1991 to 1998, appearing in catalogs and the 1996 and 1997 fashion shows. She walked runways for Ralph Lauren, Oscar de la Renta, and Christian Dior. Notable moments include her 1995 Vogue cover and her 1997 Sports Illustrated shoot in the Bahamas. Kirsebom retired from modeling in the early 2000s but returned for Vogue Scandinavia (2021) and H&M’s 2023 campaign.
Kirsebom signed with Elite Model Management in 1985, later working with Ford Models and Women Management. She maintained ties with Elite during her peak. Her editorial work includes Vogue (multiple editions), Harper’s Bazaar, Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, Marie Claire, Glamour, and Allure. A favorite of photographers like Bensimon and Russell James, she embodied 1990s classic beauty. Her Sports Illustrated cover was featured in the magazine’s 50th-anniversary exhibition (2014).
Kirsebom has a modest social media presence, with over 50,000 Instagram followers (@vendelakirsebom). She shares modeling throwbacks, family moments, and advocacy for children’s rights, engaging fans with her warm and reflective persona.
At 5’10” with blonde hair and blue eyes, Kirsebom’s measurements were approximately 34"-24"-34" during her peak, with a 34B bra size. Known for her high cheekbones, radiant smile, and statuesque frame, she has not confirmed cosmetic surgeries, crediting her look to healthy living and skincare. She has no known tattoos or piercings.
Kirsebom’s appeal lies in her timeless beauty and approachable elegance. Fans and brands, like Revlon, praise her as “a Scandinavian dream” for her poise and versatility. Her luminous skin, expressive eyes, and graceful presence are often highlighted, with her humanitarian work setting her apart.
Her net worth is estimated at $10 million, earned through modeling, endorsements (Revlon, Almay), her Victoria’s Secret work, acting, and television hosting. She was a top-earning model in the 1990s, with high fees for campaigns and runways, though her later focus on family moderated her earnings.
Kirsebom avoided major controversies, maintaining a clean and professional image. Her wholesome persona and limited media exposure kept her out of tabloid scandals, though her high-profile marriage to Olaf Thommessen drew some attention during their divorce.
Her acting roles include Batman & Robin (1997, as Nora Fries), The Parent Trap (1998, cameo), and Muppets from Space (1999, cameo). She appeared in music videos, including George Michael’s Too Funky (1992) with Tyra Banks.Kirsebom appeared on TV as host of Top Model Norway (2007–2008) and Sweden’s Next Top Model (2011). She guest-starred on The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Tyra Banks Show, and Skavlan (Scandinavian talk show), discussing her career and philanthropy. She competed on Norwegian Dancing with the Stars (2010) and featured in The Super Models (2023, docuseries, as a guest) and Sports Illustrated Swimsuit: 50 Years of Beautiful (2014).
Kirsebom was married to Norwegian politician Olaf Thommessen from 1996 to 2007, with whom she has two daughters, Anouk (born 1997) and Angelika (born 2000). She married Swedish chef Johan Renck in 2010, and they have a son, Felix (born 2012). She lives in Stockholm and Oslo, raising her children and supporting their education.
Kirsebom’s legacy lies in her role as a 1990s supermodel, bringing Scandinavian elegance to global fashion. Her Victoria’s Secret work and Sports Illustrated cover made her a household name, influencing models like Nina Agdal. Her philanthropy, supporting UNICEF and Save the Children, reflects her commitment to children’s rights, and her TV hosting broadened her impact.
As of 2025, Kirsebom models occasionally appearing in campaigns for Scandinavian brands and editorials like Elle Norway. She promotes her charitable work via Instagram, focuses on raising her children, and engages in philanthropy. She maintains her status as a nostalgic figure in fashion and a respected humanitarian.
