Adriana Lima is one of the most successful and influential models of all time. She is best known for being a Victoria’s Secret Angel for 19 years, the longest-running model in the brand’s history. She is also a spokesmodel for Maybelline, a global fashion icon, and a philanthropist. But how did she start her modeling career? What was her life like at 16, when she moved to New York and landed her first magazine cover? This article will explore the beginnings of Adriana Lima’s journey to stardom.
Early Life of Adriana Lima
Adriana Lima was born on June 12, 1981, in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. Her mother, Maria da Graça Lima, was a social worker who raised her alone after her father, Nelson Torres, abandoned them when Adriana was six months old. Adriana has a mixed ethnic background of Portuguese, Native Brazilian, African, Japanese, Swiss, and West Indian descent. She identifies as Afro-Brazilian and speaks four languages: Portuguese, English, Italian, and Spanish.
Adriana never thought about being a model, although she won many beauty pageants in elementary school. However, a friend at school who wanted to enter a modeling contest and did not want to enter alone, so Adriana entered with her. Both girls sent their pictures to the contest, and Adriana was surprised when she received a call from Ford Models, inviting her to participate in the “Supermodel of Brazil” competition. She was 15 years old at the time.
Adriana won the “Supermodel of Brazil” competition, and the following year, she competed in the “Supermodel of the World” competition, where she placed second. This caught the attention of Elite Model Management, who signed her as a model and sent her to New York to pursue her career. She was 16 years old when she moved to the Big Apple, leaving behind her family and friends in Brazil.
Adriana’s first big break came in 1997, when she appeared on the cover of Marie Claire Brazil, her first magazine cover. She also graced the covers of Vogue Italy and Harper’s Bazaar, and walked the runway for designers such as Anna Sui, Vera Wang, Christian Lacroix, and Valentino. She was quickly becoming one of the most sought-after models in the industry.
Career Milestones
Adriana’s career reached new heights in 1999, when she was chosen to walk the Victoria’s Secret runway for the first time. She impressed the brand so much that they offered her a contract to become an official Victoria’s Secret Angel, joining the likes of Tyra Banks, Heidi Klum, and Gisele Bündchen. She accepted the offer and became one of the most recognizable faces of the lingerie giant.
Adriana also landed other lucrative deals, such as becoming the face of GUESS? in 2000, and the face of Maybelline in 2003. She appeared in numerous campaigns, commercials, and catalogs for these brands, as well as for others such as Versace, Armani, Givenchy, and Louis Vuitton. She also starred in several Super Bowl and Kia Motors commercials, which reached millions of viewers and made her a household name.
Adriana’s success and popularity earned her a spot on the Forbes list of the highest-paid models in the world. In 2012, she ranked fourth, with an estimated income of $7.3 million. In 2013, she ranked third, with $8 million. In 2014 and 2015, she ranked second, with $9 million and $10.5 million, respectively. She was also named the most valuable Victoria’s Secret Angel in 2017, after being with the brand for 18 years.
Retirement from Victoria’s Secret
In 2021, Adriana hinted at the possibility of retiring from Victoria’s Secret, saying that she wanted to focus on other projects and spend more time with her family. She also said that she wanted to use her platform to empower women and girls around the world. She said, “I want to show them that it’s not about age, it’s about attitude, and that you can achieve anything you want.”
In 2023, Adriana officially announced her retirement from Victoria’s Secret, after walking her 18th and final show. She received a standing ovation from the audience and a tribute video from the brand, thanking her for her years of service and dedication. She also thanked her fans, colleagues, and family for their support and love. She said, “Thank you for showing me the world, sharing your secrets, and most importantly, not just giving me wings but teaching me to fly.”
Personal Life
Adriana has been married once, to Serbian basketball player Marko Jarić, whom she met in 2006 and married in 2009. They have two daughters, Valentina and Sienna, born in 2009 and 2012, respectively. The couple separated in 2014 and divorced in 2016. Adriana has also dated celebrities such as Lenny Kravitz, Prince Wenzeslaus of Liechtenstein, and Metin Hara.
Adriana is a devout Catholic, who attends mass every Sunday and reads the Bible every day. She also wears a chastity ring and has said that she remained a virgin until marriage. She has a strong faith and believes that God has a plan for her life. She said, “I believe in angels, and I believe that God is watching over me and guiding me.”
Adriana is also involved in various charity work, especially for children and women. She supports the Caminhos da Luz orphanage in her hometown of Salvador, and has donated money, clothes, and toys to the children there. She is also an ambassador for St. Luke Foundation for Haiti, which provides health care, education, and humanitarian aid to the people of Haiti. She has visited the country several times and helped raise funds and awareness for the cause. She is also a supporter of the Elton John AIDS Foundation, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and the Novak Djokovic Foundation.
Adriana has a positive and influential public image, and has been praised for her beauty, professionalism, and personality. She has been voted as one of the most beautiful and sexiest women in the world by various magazines and websites, such as People, Maxim, FHM, Esquire, and AskMen. She has also been featured in many media appearances, such as guest-starring in the TV series How I Met Your Mother, Ugly Betty, and The Crazy Ones, and hosting the reality show American Beauty Star.
Conclusion
Adriana Lima is a model, actress, and businesswoman who has achieved remarkable success and fame in her career. She started as a young girl from Brazil who entered a modeling contest with her friend, and became one of the most iconic and influential models of all time. She is best known for being a Victoria’s Secret Angel for 19 years, the longest-running model in the brand’s history. She is also a spokesmodel for Maybelline, a global fashion icon, and a philanthropist. She has a rich and diverse ethnic background, a strong and devout faith, and a loving and supportive family. She is a role model and inspiration for many women and girls around the world, who admire her beauty, grace, and attitude. She is Adriana Lima, and this is a glimpse into her beginnings.
