30 is a wicked number in the modeling industry. For most cover girls, being 30-years-old is tantamount to a modeling death sentence.
Gisele Bündchen seems to be the exception to this rule. At 31 years of age, there's no let-up in sight for the Brazilian bombshell. Between May 2011 and last month, she took in a whopping $45 million, making her the highest paid supermodel in the world, according to Forbes.
Bündchen didn't win by just a few pennies, either. In comparison, Kate Moss, took in a mere $9 million, according to Forbes. Bündchen simply blew her cohorts off of the runway last year.
This is Bündchen's second year at the helm. But just how did she transform into an international fashion icon?
In 1994, when she was 14, Gisele is discovered eating a Big Mac at a McDonald's in São Paulo, Brazil by an Elite Modeling agent. She soon moves to São Paulo to start a modeling career and places in (but doesn't win) multiple competitions. She is told by some talent scouts that her nose is too big.
She moves to New York in 1996 to begin a modeling career where she quickly works Carolina Herrera and Oscar De La Renta shows. She begins making a name for herself the next year in London when she's picked out by Alexander McQueen, who calls her "The Body."
Near the millennium, the fashion world is littered with Gisele's name. She poses for Missoni, Chloé, Dolce & Gabbana, Versace, and other campaigns. In 1999, Gisele is named "Model of the year" at the VH1/Vogue fashion awards.
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