It seems that every page we turn, website we land on and TV channel we flick on to, we are met by images beautiful women who make a fortune from simply being attractive. With so much competition, how can we gauge which ones are really the cream of the crop? Sure, we have our personal preferences but the way to really know which women are standing head and shoulders above the rest is by checking out how much they earn. The following models have all made it onto the Forbes list of highest paid models in 2012.
Gisele Bundchen
Gisele has long been known as the highest paid model in the world, so it’s not a surprise that this year she holds on to her title once again. The Brazilian beauty has earned her gargantuan wealth through deals with the likes of Victoria Secret, Pantene and Versace.
Kate Moss
Ok, so she might divide people in terms of her life away from the catwalk, but even now the modelling icon of the 90s is still going strong and earning a tidy sum. Her recent modelling deal with Mango has seen her back in the limelight and she also has her own range of popular perfume. Kate Moss is certainly still hot property despite that fact she is now 38 years old.
Natalia Vodianova
The striking looking Russian has a plethora of modelling campaigns under her belt that have made her an incredibly wealthy woman, but she’s not one to splash out on extravagancies for just herself. Natalia has used some of her wealth to create the Naked Heart Foundation which helps to create playgrounds within areas of Russia considered deprived.
Adriana Lima
Lima has made nearly 8 million dollars so far this year thanks to her appearance in 2 super bowl adverts and her modelling for Donna Karan. Adriana Lima’s career was boosted massively back in 2000 when she became an angel for Victoria’s Secret. God bless Victoria’s Secret.
Doutzen Kroes
Kroes is new to the Forbes top 10 modelling rich list, making her first appearance at position 5. Kroes has gained notoriety through her contracts with L’Oreal and Tiffany & Co. Oh, and she’s also been a Victoria’s Secret model since 2004.
Alessandra Ambrosio
Despite taking time out earlier in the year to give birth to her second child,Brazilian born Ambrosio storms in at sixth place through earning nearly $7 million so far this year. Ambrosio has snapped back into shape post pregnancy to open the very first Victoria’s Secret store in London this month.
Miranda Kerr
Oh to be Orlando Bloom; a successful career, a healthy bank balance and to top it all off he goes home to the stunning Miranda Kerr. Aside from being one of highest paid models in the world she has also proven herself to be a savvy business woman, launching her own organic skincare collection.
Lara Stone
Lara Stone had a phenomenal career as a model, with the likes of Versace, Prada and Calvin Klein falling over themselves to get her on board with their latest campaigns. Her notoriety as one of the world’s top models not only earned her a rather desirable income, it also got her a famous husband in the shape of UK funny man David Walliams.
Carolyn Murphy
The effortlessly beautiful Carolyn Murphy keeps hold of her top 10 position thanks to the on-going deal with Estee Lauder. Murphy has been the face of the brand for 11 years and although she is now approaching 40, she is still looking pretty amazing, must be all the complimentary Estee Lauder products she has received in steady supply for over a decade!
Candice Swanepoel
Swanepoel may only be 23, but she is already taking the modelling world by storm and has already graced the catwalks of fashion weeks in Paris, Milan and New York. One look at Candice and it’s easy to see why she has made such an impression; her long blonde hair, piercing blue eyes and super toned figure make her a force to be reckoned with in the modelling world.
So there we have it, the top 10 highest earning models of 2012 so far. These beautiful women have graced the catwalks, our screens and our magazines for many years and it looks like they are set to continue to do so for many years yet.
Joe works alongside Attract and Date Women, a site dedicated to helping men find confidence when it comes to talking to beautiful women.