Forbes Magazine has revealed its annual list of the world’s highest earning models - and Gisele reigns supreme once again.
The 36-year-old Brazilian supermodel, who boasts lucrative contracts with the likes of Chanel and Carolina Herrera, earned a massive $30.5 million this year, and according to the magazine has earned more than any other model since 2002.
A cool $20 million separates Gisele from the next entry on the list, her countrywoman Adriana Lima. The longest-serving Victoria’s Secret Angel in the lingerie brand’s history, Adriana also banks on a spokesmodel contract with cosmetics giant Maybelline.
Hot on her heels come social media stars Kendall Jenner and Karlie Kloss, proving that in 2016, Instagram clout can prove very lucrative indeed. The pair share third place on the list, earning $10 million apiece. Jumping from 16th to 3rd place, Kendall has made the biggest gains year-on-year, increasing her earnings by 150%. Some pay rise, right?
In joint fifth place come Gigi Hadid and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley with estimated earnings of $9 million. Both models are newcomers to the prestigious list.
As the magazine notes in its introduction, Forbes’ list is overwhelmingly white and so-called ‘straight’ sized, which sadly reflects the lack of diversity in the fashion industry. Despite some cases of high profile casting of plus-size models or models of colour, these stars rarely net the most lucrative advertising deals with fashion, cosmetics and fragrance brands.
The full list is as follows…
