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| Adriana Lima Biography |
Adriana Francesca Lima (born June 12, 1981) is a Brazilian supermodel. She was dubbed as "The World's Most Voluptuous Virgin" by US GQ magazine. She is best known for her modeling work with Victoria's Secret and Maybelline. Adriana Lima is currently the third highest paid model in the world (behind Gisele Bundchen and Kate Moss). According to Forbes, she earned $4.5 million in 2005.
Lima was born in the northeastern coastal town of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil in June 12, 1981 and is an only child to parents Nelson Torres and Maria da Graça Lima, a social worker. . She has stated that she is of African, Indian and Swiss descent.
When she was 6 months old, her father walked out on her and her mother. She has since been estranged from him. However, recently, she has been making attempts to reconcile with her estranged father.
Adriana Lima was discovered while shopping at a local mall at the age of 13. When Lima was 15 years old, she entered and finished in first place in Brazil's Ford Supermodel of the World Search. She subsequently entered the 1996 Ford Supermodel of the World contest and finished second place. Three years later, she moved to New York City, and signed with Elite Model Management. Lima’s modeling portfolio began to expand exponentially, appearing in numerous international editions of Vogue and Marie Claire. As for fashion shows, she has walked the catwalks for big-name designers such as Vera Wang, Christian Lacroix, Emanuel Ungaro, Giorgio Armani, Fendi, Ralph Lauren, Valentino, among others. Lima then became a GUESS? girl appearing on GUESS?' Fall 2000 ad campaign. She also appeared in the book 'A second decade of Guess? Images'.
In 2001, Lima starred in BMW short film, The Follow alongside actors Mickey Rourke, Clive Owen, and Forest Whitaker. The film was directed by Hong Kong film director and internationally renowned auteur Wong Kar-Wai.
Lima continued to build upon her entry, doing more print work for Maybelline, bebe, Mossimo, BCBG and gracing the cover and editorials of more high fashion magazines such as Harper's Bazaar, ELLE, Vogue, GQ, to name a few. Her other notable works include the well-famed Pirelli Calendar 2005 and the face of Italy’s big cell phone carrier Telecom Italia Mobile where she became known as the “Catherine Zeta-Jones of Italy”
Lima is probably best known for her work with Victoria's Secret. She first graced the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in 1999 and has appeared on subsequent shows ever since. Her most notable walk down the runway was in 2003, where she was the show opener. She is currently a contract ‘Angel’ and spokesperson for the brand.
She is also a spokesperson for cosmetic giant Maybelline New York.
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