Early Skiing Career

Growing up in Sweden and having a ski team captain as a father gave Victoria early exposure to competitive skiing. She began ski training at the age of five and, by 15, had placed fourth in the Swedish national youth championship in the giant slalom category. Unfortunately, her promising skiing career was cut short due to a shoulder injury sustained during a competition a year later, which forced her to shift focus away from sports.

Transition to Modeling and Pageantry

Following her injury, Victoria redirected her career toward modeling and pageantry. Her entry into the world of beauty contests began when she was invited to compete in Miss Sweden. In 1993, at the age of nineteen, she represented Sweden at the Miss World pageant held at Sun City resort in South Africa.

After the competition, Victoria moved to Paris, France, where she signed with a modeling agency. Her work quickly gained attention, and she began modeling for globally recognized fashion houses including Valentino, Giorgio Armani, Chanel, Christian Dior, Loris Azzaro, and Givenchy. She featured in runway shows and print advertising campaigns for several of these luxury brands.

Rise with Playboy

Victoria's international popularity surged in 1996 when Hugh Hefner invited her to Los Angeles for a Playboy photo shoot. That same year, she appeared as the magazine’s Playmate of the Month for December. Her impact was immediate, and she was named Playmate of the Year in 1997. This marked a significant milestone in her modeling career, establishing her as a globally recognized figure.

Her association with Playboy extended to various formats, including the Playboy video series and the Playboy Special Edition magazines. These appearances considerably expanded her visibility in North America and Europe alike.