Adriana Lima is one of the most famous and influential names in high fashion. Lima was born on June 12, 1981, in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. She started out with very little and worked her way up to become one of the most famous supermodels of the 21st century. With her stunning blue-green eyes, sculpted cheekbones, and natural charm, she wowed runways, magazine covers, and millions of fans around the world. Lima ruled the industry for more than 20 years and broke down stereotypes by combining Brazilian sensuality with professional discipline. She is still a symbol of strength, beauty, and empowerment at the age of 44.
Early Life and Discovery: From the Streets of Salvador to the World’s Stage
Adriana Francesca Lima grew up in a small house in Salvador, a lively coastal city famous for its Afro-Brazilian culture and carnival spirit. Lima’s multicultural background, which included Portuguese, Swiss, Japanese, and Indigenous Brazilian ancestry, gave her features that were both exotic and appealing to everyone. She was shy as a child and wanted to be a pediatrician, but fate had other plans.
When Lima was 13 years old, a talent scout found her while she was shopping at a mall near her home. She entered and won a local modeling contest, which led to her being chosen to compete in the famous Ford Models “Supermodel of Brazil” contest in 1996. She came in second nationally, which got the attention of international agencies. Lima moved to New York City with her mother when she was 15 and signed with Elite Model Management. In 1999, she got her big break when she walked for designers like Cynthia Rowley and Emanuel Ungaro at New York Fashion Week. It was the beginning of an unstoppable rise.
The Era of Victoria’s Secret: Becoming the Best Angel
Lima’s name became linked to Victoria’s Secret, the lingerie company that made her famous. She made her debut in the brand’s fashion show in 1999 and quickly rose through the ranks. She was only 19 when she was chosen as a Victoria’s Secret Angel in 2000. This made her one of the few elite women who represent the brand’s fantasy of sexiness and glamour.
Lima was different because she was both incredibly beautiful and very athletic. She was 5’10” tall and had measurements that became famous (34-24-35). She was the “Brazilian bombshell” type and worked out hard to stay fit. Lima famously worked out a lot to get ready for the annual Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. She did things like boxing and jumping rope, and she often trained twice a day for months. In an interview, she said, “I see the runway as my battlefield.”
There are many things she loves about the brand:
Lima holds the record for wearing the most expensive Fantasy Bras. She wore the $2 million piece in 2000, the $5 million piece in 2008, and the $2 million piece in 2010 with Alessandra Ambrosio.
Angel with the longest tenure: She walked in every Victoria’s Secret show from 2000 to 2018, except for one in 2009 when she was pregnant. She retired as the Angel with the longest tenure.
Cultural Icon: Lima became a pop culture phenomenon thanks to the shows that aired all over the world. Her winged looks inspired Halloween costumes and beauty trends.
There were some problems with Lima’s time at VS. People who didn’t like the brand said it objectified women, but Lima strongly defended it, saying it empowered women and that the glamour was hard work. She joked, “We are athletes in heels.”
Fashion and media are more than just the runway.
Victoria’s Secret was the most important part of Lima’s career, but it wasn’t the only thing she did. She was on the covers of more than 100 magazines, such as Vogue (multiple international editions), Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, and GQ. Photographers like Steven Meisel and Mario Testino called her a muse.
Important dates:
- Gucci and Guess Campaigns: Ads from the early 2000s made her a big name in business.
- Maybelline Spokesperson: She was the face of the cosmetics brand from 2003 to 2018, which is one of the longest beauty contracts ever.
- High Fashion Strides: Walked for designers like Prada, Louis Vuitton, Givenchy, and Versace; closed shows for designers like Alexander Wang.
- Acting Ventures: She has been in movies like The Follow (a short film series for BMW in 2001) and TV shows like How I Met Your Mother (2007) and Ugly Betty.
Lima also tried her hand at business by starting her own swimwear line and working with others on perfumes. Her net worth is thought to be over $95 million, thanks to endorsements with brands like Puma and IWC Schaffhausen watches.
Family, faith, and giving back to the community are important to me.
Lima’s life outside of modeling shows that she is a down-to-earth, faith-driven woman. She is a devout Catholic and has talked about how she stayed a virgin until she got married (she married Serbian basketball player Marko Jarić on Valentine’s Day in 2009). The couple had two daughters, Valentina in 2009 and Sienna in 2012. They divorced in 2016 after seven years of marriage.
After her divorce, Lima dated Turkish writer Metin Hara and then film producer Andre Lemmers. In 2022, when she was 41, she had a son named Cyan by C-section. Being a mother changed her priorities. She stopped modeling full-time to spend more time with her family and only took jobs when she wanted to.
Giving to others is a big part of who she is. Lima has worked with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the “Caminhos da Luz” foundation to help orphanages in Salvador. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she sold her own things at auction to help Brazilian favelas.
Legacy and Impact: A Leader in Diversity
Lima helped open the door for Latin American models in an industry that is often criticized for not being open to everyone. She helped put Brazilian beauty on the world map along with Gisele Bündchen and Alessandra Ambrosio. She inspired a new generation, including Barbara Palvin and Lais Ribeiro.
Her influence goes beyond fashion:
Body Positivity Advocate: Lima has talked about how her body changed after having a baby and how to age gracefully, rejecting unrealistic standards.
Entrepreneurial Spirit: After VS, she became a global ambassador for Puig and looked into NFTs and wellness.
Enduring Appeal: In 2023 and 2024, she walked the runways for Alexander Wang and starred in campaigns, showing that age is not a barrier.
Some people say that the fashion world is moving away from the “Angel” era and toward being more inclusive, but Lima welcomes change. In a Vogue interview from 2024, she said, “I’ve lived the dream; now it’s time to grow.”
What’s next for Adriana Lima in the future?
Lima doesn’t seem to be slowing down as of 2025. She has hinted at a possible memoir, grown her family, and is still doing selective modeling. There are rumors that Victoria’s Secret will come back or that a wellness brand will start up. Adriana Lima’s story, from Salvador dreamer to supermodel legend, will always be an inspiration, no matter what path she takes. “Beauty comes from within, but a little lipstick never hurts,” she said.
Adriana Lima was more than just a model; she changed what it means to be a supermodel in the modern age: fierce, loyal, and always fabulous.
