Adriana Lima’s Transformation from Childhood to Age 42

Adriana Lima has been a mainstay of the modeling world since she made her runway debut for Anna Sui in 1997. Indeed, it’s easier to name which fashion house, high-end brand, or magazine cover she hasn’t graced in the subsequent quarter-century. The longtime Victoria’s Secret model has been crowned as one of the most beautiful, most profitable, and most powerful supermodels of her generation.

As she enters her 40s, the Brazilian model is still as in-demand as ever. Following a brief career hiatus to focus on life, Lima returned to the fray in 2023 in her typically fabulous style; whether it was giving post-pregnancy fitness tips, clapping back at her detractors, or rejoining the brand that made her famous. With her comeback in full swing, we trace her journey from the outskirts of Salvador to the runways of New York Fashion Week and beyond.

Adriana Lima was born to social worker mother Maria and carpenter father Nelson in Salvador in 1981. But her father left the family six months after her birth and didn’t reconnect until she was an adult.

Despite her dad’s lack of support, Lima never wanted for anything, thanks to her mom and grandmother who raised her. “They have always shown elegance, strength, and courage,” she told Vogue Arabia. Lima appreciated their sacrifices especially after becoming a mother herself.

Growing up in a strict Roman Catholic household meant that Lima didn’t exhibit her flair for fashion until much older. Even on the beach, she preferred to cover up. “I grew up in Brazil where the weather was warm and a good pair of shorts, a t-shirt and sandals was all you needed,” she explained.

A career in modeling wasn’t something young Adriana Lima ever dreamed about. In an interview with Victoria’s Secret, she revealed that she initially planned to become a pediatrician before modeling enticed her during her mid-teens.

Growing up, Lima was shy and a bit of a tomboy: “I always wanted to do everything that the boys were doing.” She only entered her first beauty contest to support her friend who didn’t want to compete alone.

Lima’s big break came at 15 when she won Ford Models’ search for the Supermodel of Brazil. She then became the runner-up in the Ford Models Supermodel of the World contest, earning a substantial cash prize and exposure that changed her life path forever.

Following her success in supermodel talent searches, Adriana Lima moved to New York in 1997 and signed with Elite Model Management. Pretty soon, her face was everywhere.

Later that same year, Lima made her runway debut for Anna Sui at New York Fashion Week and landed an advertising gig with Italian designer Anna Molinari. By 1998, she was gracing magazine covers, her first being the September issue of Marie Claire. By the turn of the century, she adorned the cover of Vogue for both its Italian and Brazilian publications.

Speaking to The Cut in 2024, Lima revealed how she developed her signature runway strut in the era of the ’90s supermodel. “I did learn the ’90s-style walk when I first started — walking with the hands on the hips and moving them as much as you could,” she remembered.

Adriana Lima’s meteoric rise continued in 1998 when she was approached by Victoria’s Secret. She walked her first runway with the brand in 1999, and a year later, the 19-year-old model was officially made an Angel.

In the years since, Lima has been a major representative for the brand, opening five Victoria’s Secret Fashion Shows, even in 2012 just two months after becoming a mom for the second time. She also joined supermodels on the “Angels Across America” tour and appeared in notable TV ads.

In 2008, Lima donned the $5 million Fantasy Bra, and two years later, she wore another $2 million version. Lima’s contributions to the brand were significant, making her the most valuable Victoria’s Secret Angel of all time according to D’Marie in 2017.

It’s fair to say that Adriana Lima was born with it. She worked with numerous high-end brands during her career, but remains most synonymous with Maybelline. Lima served as a spokesmodel for the makeup giant from 2003 to 2009 and reprised the role in 2014.

“I am proud to say that I am a Maybelline girl,” Lima stated in 2014, adding that she admired the brand’s positive and beautiful imagery.

Even outside of official duties, Lima often plays the saleswoman. She frequently mentions her favorite Maybelline products in interviews, highlighting items like Color Sensational Clay Crush and the Rock Nudes eyeshadow palette.

Adriana Lima may have dated singer Lenny Kravitz and baseball icon Derek Jeter, but an interview in 2006 intrigued many about her sexual history.

When asked about her Catholic faith and views on pre-marital sex in a GQ interview, Lima surprised the interviewer by asserting, “Sex is just for after marriage.” She held firm, stating, “If there’s no respect, that means they don’t want me.”

Despite repeating her beliefs, Lima was subjected to more questions about sex. GQ eventually dubbed her the “World’s Most Voluptuous Virgin.”

After relationships with Lenny Kravitz and Derek Jeter, Adriana Lima found love in 2008 with NBA player Marko Jarić, who proposed on her 27th birthday.

The couple tied the knot on Valentine’s Day in an intimate Wyoming ceremony. Lima expressed excitement over their future together, with plans for a bigger celebration in Brazil or Serbia.

Six months later, Lima described life with Jarić as a continual honeymoon and they went on to have two children, Valentina in 2009 and Sienna in 2012.

Adriana Lima made history at the 2012 Super Bowl by appearing in two commercials during the game, a first for any celebrity.

In her first ad for Kia Optima, Lima waved a checkered flag in a cut-out bodysuit. The commercial led to a 138.6% sales increase for the vehicle and ranked third on Facebook’s Super Bowl Ad Meter.

Her second appearance was for the floral company Teleflora, where she prepared for a night out with flowers for Valentine’s Day. The ad received praise from publications like Forbes and ESPN for its strategic reminder about Valentine’s Day.

In 2014, Adriana Lima and Marko Jarić announced their separation after five years of marriage. Fortunately, the split appeared to be amicable.

“We are grateful to be the parents of two incredible young daughters that we will continue to co-parent,” they said in a joint statement. They also requested privacy during this delicate time.

The following year, Lima was briefly linked to Miami Beach boxing coach Joe Thomas and was rumored to be dating Justin Bieber, a rumor she denied emphatically on “Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen.”

Adriana Lima first appeared on Forbes’ rich lists in 2005 and continued to climb the wealth ladder. By 2015, she became the second highest-paid supermodel with $9 million in earnings, only behind Gisele Bündchen.

In recent years, although Lima has slipped to sixth in the supermodel rich list, she still reportedly earned $30 million between 2022 and 2023, according to L’Officiel. Her net worth is estimated at $95 million. However, Lima emphasized that she isn’t just in it for the money; she aims to inspire people with her work.