Background and career
Alessandra Corine Ambrósio (Brazilian Portuguese: [aleˈsɐ̃dɾɐ ɐ̃ˈbɾɔzju]; born 11 April 1981) is a Brazilian model. She is known for her work with Victoria's Secret and was chosen as the first spokesmodel for the company's PINK line. She was a Victoria's Secret Angel from 2004 to 2017 and has modeled for fashion houses such as Christian Dior, Armani, Ralph Lauren, and Next.
In May 2007, People included her on its list of "100 Most Beautiful People in the World", followed in June 2007 with FHM including her at number five on its list of "100 Sexiest Women". In September 2012, MODELS.com honoured her work by placing Ambrosio on its list of models considered icons in the fashion industry. That same year, Ambrosio was ranked number five on Forbes' list of the highest-paid models, estimated to have earned US$6.6 million (equivalent to $9.3 million in 2025) over the 12 months ending May 2012.
Ambrosio was born on 11 April 1981 in Erechim, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, to Lucilda and Luiz Ambrósio. She has a younger sister named Aline. Their paternal grandfather was an Italian emigrant from Padua, and their paternal grandmother was a Polish emigrant.
Having always been insecure about her large ears, Ambrosio had cosmetic surgery to have her ears pinned back at the age of 11 and suffered complications two years later. She enrolled in a modelling class at the age of 12. She was one of 20 finalists for the 1995 Elite Model Look national competition for Brazil.
When Ambrosio was 12 years old, she partook in modeling classes and then began modeling for Dilson Stein at age 15. Competing in Brazil's Elite Model Look competition started her modeling career in earnest. Her first notable modeling job was shooting the cover of Brazilian Elle magazine. Elite passed along some of her Polaroids to Guess which led her booking the Millennium GUESS? campaign.
How Alessandra Ambrosio makes money
That same year, Ambrosio was ranked number five on Forbes' list of the highest-paid models, estimated to have earned US$6.6 million (equivalent to $9.3 million in 2025) over the 12 months ending May 2012. 5 on Forbes' The World's Top-Earning Models list, with an estimated earnings of $5 million over 2010–2011. The Floral Fantasy Bra, crafted by London Jewelers, was valued at $2.5 million.
