Rise to Fame and Modeling Competitions

Lima began her modeling career early, gaining international attention at the age of 15 when she won Ford's "Supermodel of Brazil" competition. The following year, she earned second place in Ford's "Supermodel of the World" contest, which led to a contract with Elite Model Management in New York City. This early success marked the beginning of her ascent in the fashion world.

Victoria's Secret and Global Recognition

Adriana Lima is best known for her role as a Victoria's Secret Angel, a title she held from 2000 to 2018. During her tenure, she became one of the brand's most iconic figures, walking annually in the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show and gaining significant fame as a result. Her tenure with Victoria’s Secret is one of the longest in the brand’s history, solidifying her status as a leading supermodel.

Maybelline and Brand Ambassadorship

In addition to her work with Victoria’s Secret, Lima served as a prominent spokesmodel for Maybelline cosmetics from 2003 to 2009. Her campaigns with the brand expanded her global recognition and reinforced her position as a top beauty ambassador in the cosmetics industry.

Forbes Rankings and Career Earnings

Lima consistently ranked among the top-earning models in the world, according to Forbes. In 2012, she was listed as the fourth highest-paid model, earning an estimated $7.3 million. She climbed to third place in 2013 and secured second place in 2014 with estimated earnings of $8 million, underscoring her enduring commercial success and global appeal.