Being a model is one thing, but being able to turn modelling into a lucrative, long-term career (i.e make it into the richest model category) is a completely different game.
Supermodels like Gisele Bündchen, Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford and Kate Moss might have spent their early days on the runway, but they have managed to take their success beyond that to attain enormous personal wealth.
In a similar vein, younger models like Kendall Jenner and Bella Hadid have made social media their main selling point, with brand deals and endorsements adding to their income and net worth. In fact, top modelling agencies list Instagram and social media details for models on their website, including IMG Models, Ford and Elite Model Management.
So how much have these supermodels actually made? Here, we rank the world’s richest models, based on their individual net worth and estimates from CelebrityNetWorth.com, in ascending order.
Linda Evangelista: USD$40 million
One of the most recognisable faces of the ’90s, Linda Evangelista once famously said: “I don’t get out of bed for less than $10,000 a day.” Therefore, it’s no surprise the eternally iconic It-girl has amassed a net worth of USD $40 million.
Christy Turlington: USD $40 million
Turlington was also an industry darling in the ’90s, and is still one of the most recognisable women in the industry. Despite the occasional runway appearance (i.e. at Marc Jacobs’ autumn/winter ’19 show), Turlington has retired from the limelight to spend time with her actor husband, Edward Burns, and raise her two children.
Miranda Kerr: USD $60 million
A key member of the Victoria’s Secret Angels, Kerr has gone onto become an entrepreneur and mother of four. She runs her own organic skincare line KORA Organics, has a home furniture range with Universal Furniture and a collection of tea and dining sets for Royal Albert.
Kendall Jenner: $60 million
Kendall Jenner’s net worth continues to grow at an impressive rate. According to Hopper HQ’s Instagram Rich List, the model and influencer commands a price of $1,758,000 per post, making her the 11th highest paid influencer. While this is less than her sisters Kylie, Kim and Khloe (in positions 4, 7 and 9 respectively), there’s no doubt Kendall in one of the most famous of a new generation of social media models.
Kate Moss: USD $70 million
It’s been many years since ‘Kate the Great’ was first scouted at JFK Airport, at the age of 14—and it didn’t take long for the girl from East London to become one of the world’s most famous models, starting off with some rather memorable (and occasionally very controversial) campaigns for Calvin Klein.
As well as being one of the richest models in the world, she’s also one of the highest paid – she reportedly got paid £5 million for a 2022 campaign for Diet Coke, according to The Mirror.
Claudia Schiffer: USD $70 million
Claudia Schiffer rose to fame in the ’90 and her net worth has followed suit. She holds the record of most magazine covers in the Guinness Book of World Records (over 1000). She has also featured in blockbuster movies, including Love Actually and Zoolander. The rest of her wealth comes from entrepreneurial forays in exercise videos, restaurants and cashmere.
Alessandra Ambrosio: USD $80 million
Alessandra Ambrosio experienced her breakthrough with lingerie giant Victoria’s Secret in 2000. She gained prestigious ‘angel status’ in 2004 and walked in practically every Victoria’s Secret show until she retired from the brand in 2017.
Since then, she’s founded a swimwear line, partnered with Nespresso and worked in TV, including as a coach and guest judge for Germany’s Next Topmodel. So it’s likely she’ll remain one of the richest models through her 40s and beyond.
Naomi Campbell: USD $80 million
Few other models have the experience, success and industry reputation that Naomi Campbell does. The British supermodel was walking the runway into her 40s and has remained in-demand in her 50s. Recently, she’s done campaigns for BMW and also became the first model to have an exhibition dedicated to her at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London.
Tyra Banks: USD $90 million
Tyra Banks was famously rejected from five different modelling agencies before being signed in the early ’90s, but once she was, the rest was history. During her modelling days, she walked for the likes of Chanel and had her own fruitful Victoria’s Secret career. But creating and hosting America’s Next Top Model is what helped her attain household name status and an impressive net worth that puts her among the richest models in the world.
Adriana Lima: USD $95 million
Like Alessandra Ambrosio, Lima has become one of Brazil’s most famous modelling exports, juggling an illustrious Victoria’s Secret career with working as a television host, and countless brand endorsement deals.
Elle Macpherson: USD $95 million
After growing up on Sydney’s North Shore, Elle Macpherson’s life completely changed when she decided to pursue modelling work in New York. As well as a long modelling career, she was a host and producer for Britain’s Next Top Model from 2010 to 2013. She’s also released a highly successful series of workout videos and launched fashion, swimwear and wellness labels.
Christie Brinkley: USD $100 million
Christie Brinkley is one of the most well-known Sports Illustrated models of all time and one of the richest models in the world. She famously married Billy Joel after she appeared in his ‘Uptown Girls’ music video in 1983. Now in her 70s, Brinkley experiences a whole new level of fame for her youthful visage.
Heidi Klum: USD $160 million
Heidi Klum first appeared on the Victoria’s Secret runway in the late ’90s and became a certified ‘Angel’ not long after that. But it’s her television career that’s helped increase her fortune, having hosted shows like America’s Got Talent and Project Runway.
Iman: USD $200 million
Somalia-born Iman is often thought of as the world’s first true supermodel of colour, and has been an industry mainstay since as early as the mid-’80s. She’s also known for her notoriously private marriage to the late David Bowie, and the couple share a daughter, Lexi Jones, together.
Gisele Bündchen: USD $400 million
Giselle Bündchen was discovered at 14 years old while eating at a McDonald’s restaurant in São Paulo, Brazil, and is remembered as one of the most iconic Victoria’s Secret models of all time. She topped Forbes‘ annual list of the world’s highest-paid models from 2002 to 2017, until Kendall Jenner nabbed the top spot – although Bündchen still has a much higher net worth.
Cindy Crawford: USD $400 million
While her 21-year-old daughter, Kaia Gerber, has been on the path to It-girl status in recent years, Crawford earned her supermodel status a long time ago—and has amassed a staggering net worth. In the words of designer Michael Kors: “Cindy changed the perception of the ‘sexy American girl’ from classic blue-eyed blonde to a more sultry brunette with brains, charm, and professionalism to spare.”
Kathy Ireland: $500 million
Ireland might be the dark horse on this list, as she hasn’t reached the same level of fame as some of the other rich models. But her enormous wealth makes her the richest supermodel in the world. Since appearing in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue for 13 consecutive years, she’s gone on to become a best-selling author, and owns her own marketing company, kathy ireland Worldwide, which counts a yearly turnover in the billions.
